Happy New Year to All!

A little late, but at least it’s still January! Why is it that turning the page on the calendar feels so significant? For me, a new year is an invitation to new beginnings. I suppose that’s obvious, but the symbolism of it is very powerful. It’s a challenge to adjust my thinking and get out of my own way.

It’s a new year, but unlike many people, I haven’t made any resolutions. I’m just planning to keep going forward the way I’ve been for the past six months, which means focusing on the writing, because you can’t control anything else.

What are your writing goals for the new year?

I’ll start by sharing mine: Get the WIP edited to the point where I truly feel it’s the best thing I’ve ever written. If I accomplish that, it will be something. In order to succeed, I need to take care of my mental and physical health, get plenty of sleep, eat the right kinds of foods. Yes, I think it’s all connected, and I’m ready to push myself to the next level.

How about you? Is there some aspect of your writing you want to take to the next level in the coming year? Are you planning to focus on establishing a regular practice, or reading more craft books, or going to workshops?

Another writing goal: read more!

Writers must be readers. A truer word was never said! I do read a lot, but sometimes I get so caught up in my own writing that I forget what an inspiration it can be to read really good books—and how instructive it can be to read books that fall short, and understand why.

Don’t have any writing goals? Get some!

Motivate yourself by placing a marker up ahead, even if it’s just a word count, or a page count. Or even if it’s just to write that one, perfect sentence. You can do it, I know you can (she says to herself, daily).

Whatever you’re doing, in life or in writing, I wish you the very best for the coming year.

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