Friday, January 4, 2019

2019: Starting the New Year Right!

January marks a new beginning and a fresh start for us. I am planning what I intend to do during the new year. However, my resolutions have only slightly changed for 2019.

First come family needs and concerns. This very much includes seeing to health matters.

After that I resolve to continue my writing. This I do faithfully beginning early each morning. I am at this time hard at work on a new novel. It’s the fifth one in the Kim Reynolds mystery series and I believe the best one yet. Kim has evolved as a very real individual not a cardboard character.

I will also continue to send my work out to various publishers and publications regardless of acceptances. Most writers meet with a lot more rejection than acceptance. In that respect, I am typical. But if writing is something you feel compelled to do—like me—than you work at it regardless.

One of my continuing resolutions is striving to improve the quality of my work. With that in mind, I pay attention to editorial and reader comments. The year 2018 brought publication of my novels, DEATH PROMISE, for adult readers and WITCH WISH for teens. There were also short stories published in a variety of genres.

I intend to continue reading diverse books and writing reviews of those I truly enjoy.

I resolve to do more landscape painting. I’ve let that go of late.

I confess housework comes last—but it does and will get done, as does shopping and cooking. All of life’s necessities.


What are some of your plans or resolutions for the year ahead? Are they the same as last year or have they changed?

20 comments:

  1. Mine is to write more! Hurricane Harvey destroyed my routine, so I want to focus on building a life where I have time for myself. Wishing you the best. Happy New Year!--
    Minette Lauren -- Zari Reede

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  2. Hi Zari/Minette,

    You did a terrific job with your writing in the past year. Wishing you every success in the coming year!

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  3. Like you, Jacquie, family comes first with me but my writing is a priority too. My writing goal for 2019 is to write and publish "Murder at Maple Ridge," the sequel to "Secrets in Storyville," a small town mystery. Which means I need to get busy. :)

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  4. My list of priorities for 2019 isn't very different from yours. Family and health issues take precedence, but my mind is always on writing. Cleaning is dead last. I have a new novel (stand-alone) with my agent, and two short stories accepted at AHMM, so I'm waiting to see them published, this year I hope. I'm ready to start another short story and another novel. Best wishes for a productive and healthy 2019.

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    1. Susan,

      Sounds like 2019 will prove to be very productive one for your writing.

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  5. Writing: I started thinking of my New Years "goals," last summer. I plan to finished the three manuscripts that are now in first draft, so I can pave the way for a screenplay.
    Personal: spend less; save more!

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    1. Kathleen,

      Very ambitious! I'd love to sell a screenplay myself.

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  6. Jacqueline, all of your goals are great ones. Housework is always the last one on my list. Thank goodness my hubby is willing to do some of that or I'm not sure those tasks would ever get done. Your desire to continually improve your writing is what we all need to do, and, as difficult it is to receive those rejections, if we don't send our work out, we'll never get the acceptances. May 2019 be a great year for you.

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    1. Maris,

      I wish the same for you. Much success with your writing in the coming year.

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  7. All good resolutions, Jacqueline. I didn't make any this year 'cause they'd probably already be broken by now. Happy New Year to you!

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  8. Jacquie, you are so ambitious. You inspire me! Since the last blog post I wrote on my own website was 18 months ago, my top resolution is to blog more. And with chemo out of the way, lots and lots of travel in 2019. And the eighth Laurel McKay Mystery of course. Happy New Year to you.

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    1. Cindy,

      So nice to hear from you! I'm so glad that the chemo has worked. I love your mysteries and glad you are continuing the series.

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  9. Hi Jacqueline. Looks like you have a solid plan for 2019. I'm still working on how to implement a Depth Year as outlined on Cain's Raptitude blog. It's all about dealing with the things I already have, neglected hobbies and projects, and de-cluttering. Within that big plan, I expect to finish one novel, start another, and hopefully write s few short stories. I feel good about 2019, so I hope you do as well.

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    1. Hi Pat,

      You have sound plans for the year. I need to do some de-cluttering myself and tend to postpone it.

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  10. I plan to do what I had intended to do last year. I need a new picture, send in my one short story, and get back to hiking after my health issues.

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  11. Hi Carole,

    I wish you a happy, healthy new year! Definitely write that short story and submit it!

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  12. Wishing you happy and heathy new year.I like this blog, thanks for sharing.

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