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Every writer leaves something behind, but some writers leave us with questions that continue to matter long after their books are finished.
This week, we celebrate Leo Tolstoy, one of the most influential writers in world literature, born on September 9, 1828. Best known for masterpieces such as War and Peace and Anna Karenina, Tolstoy explored the complexity of human life through stories about love, family, society, morality, choices, and the search for meaning. His characters are often faced with difficult decisions, inner conflicts, and questions about what truly matters. But Tolstoy's importance goes beyond his novels. His reflections on life continue to make readers stop and think about their own choices and the way they see the world. One of his most memorable thoughts is: “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” This quote reminds us that change does not always begin with other people or with the world around us. Sometimes, the most meaningful place to begin is with ourselves—with our attitudes, our choices, and the way we treat others. Another simple but powerful quote attributed to Tolstoy says: “If you want to be happy, be.” There is something profound in the simplicity of these words. We often think of happiness as something we need to find. We look for it in possessions, achievements, places, relationships, or future goals. We tell ourselves, I will be happy when... But Tolstoy's words suggest another way of looking at happiness. We do not always need to look around or chase happiness. Happiness begins within us. It is not necessarily something waiting for us somewhere outside ourselves. It is a feeling that is deeply connected to the way we experience and respond to life. While circumstances can certainly affect us, our inner attitude, perspective, gratitude, and choices also play an important role in how we experience happiness. Perhaps that is why such a short sentence can carry such a powerful message: If you want to be happy, be. Tolstoy's writing reminds us that literature can do more than entertain us. A good book can make us pause, question, reflect, and perhaps even see ourselves differently. And sometimes, the most important story we can read is the one we are writing with our own lives. Keep reading. Keep questioning. Keep growing. Because great literature doesn't simply tell us about life—it can help us understand it.
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“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
— Laozi, Tao Te Ching Laozi, also known as Lao Tzu, was an ancient Chinese philosopher traditionally regarded as the founder of Taoism. He is traditionally credited with the Tao Te Ching, a collection of teachings about life, simplicity, balance, wisdom, and the way we move through the world. Although he lived thousands of years ago, many of his ideas continue to speak to us today. This simple quote carries a profound message about life. Every journey begins with a step. Whether we are traveling to a new place, pursuing a dream, starting a new chapter, or simply deciding to make a change in our lives, nothing happens until we take that first step. The step represents action. We can have dreams, goals, ideas, and intentions, but they remain only possibilities until we decide to move toward them. Sometimes the first step requires nothing more than motivation—the willingness to begin, even when we do not know exactly where the journey will take us. Taking that first step means that we are already on our way. But there is something else to consider: the direction of our first step matters. Every choice we make can influence the path that follows. The direction we choose can lead us toward opportunities, experiences, relationships, and places we may never have imagined. One step leads to another, and little by little, those steps create our journey. Sometimes we wait for the perfect moment. We wait until we feel ready, until we have everything planned, or until we are certain about the outcome. But life rarely gives us that certainty. Sometimes, we simply have to begin. The first step does not have to be a big one. It can be a small decision, a phone call, an application, a conversation, a new idea, a change in attitude, or simply the courage to say, “I am going to try.” It can take us toward a physical destination, a personal goal, a new opportunity, or a completely different way of living. What matters is that we move. A thousand-mile journey may seem overwhelming when we look at the distance ahead. But when we focus on the step in front of us, the journey becomes possible. And perhaps this is one of the great lessons of life: we don't have to know every step of the journey before we begin. We only need the courage to take the first one. That first step is an act of intention. It is the moment when an idea becomes action, when a dream begins to become a possibility, and when we stop simply imagining where we want to go and begin moving toward it. Where will your first step take you? You may not know yet. But take it. Every journey begins when we decide to move.
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“Easy reading is damn hard writing.”
— Nathaniel Hawthorne Why can we say that? Because writing something that captures a reader’s interest takes much more than putting words on a page. When we write, we often put a piece of ourselves into those words—our soul, our thoughts, our fears, our memories, and even our sadness. In a way, writing means opening a door into ourselves and allowing others to see a part of who we are. To create something compelling and easy to read, we have to make many choices. We think about the words, the rhythm, the ideas, and the way the story will reach the reader. What may seem simple and effortless on the page can represent hours of thinking, changing, removing, and rewriting. This is especially true with children's books. A children's story may appear simple. The sentences may be short, the vocabulary familiar, and the characters imaginary. But behind those simple words is often a whole world carefully created by the author. A talking animal, a curious child, or an imaginary adventure can carry pieces of the writer's own world. Through fictional characters, we can express our thoughts about friendship, courage, kindness, fear, loneliness, love, or the world around us. We create imaginary worlds, but within those worlds, we often leave something real from ourselves. That is why easy reading can be so hard writing. The reader should be able to enter the story naturally, without seeing all the work behind it. The words should feel effortless, but creating that feeling requires intention, patience, and a willingness to keep refining what we have written. Perhaps the greatest compliment a writer can receive is when someone says, “I couldn't put it down.” Because behind those effortless pages, there may be a little piece of the writer's soul.
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My journey adventure continued, and this time I arrived in Madrid. By now, my backpack was starting to feel heavier and heavier. I kept thinking, Next time, I am going to use a backpack with wheels! It would be so much easier to manage. I had already left my sneakers behind in Lisbon, but carrying a backpack all over the terminals in airports and train stations had become a huge challenge. And those terminals are not small at all! I had also bought plenty of bandages because my new sneakers were wreaking havoc on my feet. But I was not going to stop walking. I probably just needed to sit down and rest more frequently, but I still wanted to explore as much as possible. Around midday, I arrived at my hotel, left my backpack in the room, put a lot of bandages on my feet, and headed out to explore Madrid. I went first to Puerta del Sol, one of the most famous places in the city. I enjoyed some traditional cocido madrileño and listened to street singers performing nearby. After eating, I walked to the Mercado de San Miguel. I made a mental note to come back the next day because I was already full, but the market was packed with people enjoying delicious-looking dishes and all kinds of food. In the afternoon, I tried churros con chocolate, another Spanish treat I could not resist. Then I strolled along Gran Vía. The architecture, the shops, and the lights were amazing. While walking there, I bought a phone strap that would become very useful throughout the rest of my trip. I also bought a phone and watch charger that ended up helping me during the entire journey. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but another thing that has been extremely useful during my travels is Google Maps, a translator app, and my roaming service. They have made it much easier to find my way around and communicate when necessary. I also always carry a small bag that stays close to me, where I keep my passport and cards. Even though Madrid feels like a safe city, when you are traveling alone, you always have to be careful with your belongings. I continued exploring the city, passing by Cortes and the Instituto Cervantes. I also saw the beautiful Cuartel del Conde-Duque and continued along Gran Vía. Later, I had something to eat in the La Latina area and returned to my hotel through Plaza Mayor. Exploring Madrid's HistoryThe next day, I went to the Palacio Real, and it was very impressive. I explored the surroundings first and then went inside the palace. The rooms, decorations, and history were fascinating. From there, I continued to the Teatro Real, Plaza de Oriente, and Plaza de la Armería, where I saw a military ceremony with soldiers marching. It was quite an experience to watch. I then visited the Almudena Cathedral, followed by another beautiful church, San Ginés. I took many pictures along the way and stopped at some picturesque cafés to rest and enjoy the atmosphere. Later, I walked toward the Congress of Deputies and then visited the Museo del Prado. You cannot take pictures inside the museum, but it is absolutely worth visiting. Standing in front of so many masterpieces was an unforgettable experience. After the Prado, I visited the Parroquia de San Jerónimo el Real, and from there I continued walking until I reached El Retiro Park. What a beautiful and enormous park! There were so many peaceful and picturesque places to discover. It was the perfect place to slow down, sit for a while, and simply enjoy the surroundings. By the end of those two days, my feet were definitely complaining, but I was happy. Madrid had given me history, architecture, food, music, art, beautiful parks, and countless streets to explore. And, despite the bandages on my feet and my increasingly heavy backpack, I was still walking! I said goodbye to this beautiful city and went to take a train my next stop another Spain city Barcelona. I will also spend two days there. this one will be my blog piece that will accompany some collage pictures of different part of the city.
One of My Books: Lou and His Mane
Let me take you back to the beginning of my journey as a children's author. In 2021, I published my very first book, Lou and His Mane. Lou is a lion who wakes up one morning and discovers that his beautiful mane—the treasure he is most proud of—is gone! As he searches for his mane, Lou meets his friends: a giraffe, a snake, and a monkey. Each one wants to help him, and together they show Lou the importance of friendship, encouragement, and having people who care about us during difficult moments. But what happened to Lou's mane? Will he find it? More importantly, what will Lou learn about himself? This story carries a simple but meaningful message for children: who we are is much more important than how we look. Lou and His Mane was the first step in my journey of creating stories that combine imagination and adventure with meaningful lessons for children. Visit EugarelliBooks to learn more! On my website, you can find a dedicated page for each of my books, with information about the story as well as free resources and activities. Lou and His Mane is also available at my Emma's Place store and on Amazon.com. This is only the beginning of my book journey. Come discover the stories that followed! #EugarelliBooks #LouAndHisMane #EmmaUgarelli #ChildrensAuthor #ChildrensBooks #KidsBooks #PictureBooks #BooksForKids #AuthorJourney #Friendship #SelfWorth #ChildrensLiterature #ReadingForChildren #BookRecommendations #IndieAuthor
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Literary Fact of the Week: Jorge Luis Borges — A Life Made of Books, Imagination, and Time8/12/2026
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This week on EugarelliBooks, we celebrate Jorge Luis Borges, one of Argentina’s most influential writers, born on August 24, 1899.
Borges was a writer, poet, essayist, and librarian whose extraordinary imagination transformed ideas such as books, libraries, labyrinths, dreams, memory, time, and infinity into fascinating literary worlds. His best-known works include Ficciones, The Aleph, and Labyrinths. But why does Borges remain important today? His stories challenged readers to look beyond the obvious and question the boundaries between reality and imagination, memory and identity, and time and existence. His influence can still be felt in literature and in the way contemporary writers explore complex ideas through storytelling. One of his most memorable reflections is: “I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” For someone who loved books so deeply, the library represented a world of knowledge and infinite possibilities. Another quote takes us even deeper: “Time is the substance I am made of.” These simple words carry a profound idea. Time is not merely something that passes around us. It is what our lives are made of. We need time to live, to experience, to love, and to exist. Our past lives in our memories, our present is the moment we are living, and our future is made of moments that have not yet become part of our story. And there is another remarkable chapter in Borges's life: he gradually lost his sight and eventually became blind. Yet he continued writing, dictating his work, lecturing, and creating through memory and imagination. His life and work remind us that the imagination can create worlds beyond what our eyes can see. What would you create with your imagination if you could turn your thoughts into an entire world? #EugarelliBooks #JorgeLuisBorges #LiteraryFact #Literature #Books #Writers #Reading #BookLovers #LiteraryHistory #Imagination #Quotes #ArgentineLiterature
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AuthorEmma Ugarelli is my name. I grew up in Lima, Peru and immigrated to Canada two decades ago. I have a Psychology degree from Peru, and I worked as a psychologist for fifteen years. In Canada, I pursued Early Childhood Education and I have been a daycare provider for the last twenty years. I became a writer in 2021 when I published my first children's book "Lou and his Mane". I reside in Kitsilano, Vancouver, with my family and cat Ricky. Archives
September 2026
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