Sunday, January 1, 2017

New Beginnings: Starting the New Year Right

January 1st marks a new beginning and a fresh start. Yesterday, New Year’s Eve, I was feeling somewhat nostalgic. It was my mother’s birthday which we always celebrated with ice cream cake. In our family no birthday was complete without an ice cream cake. Although my parents are long deceased, I have good memories of those times. I finished reading a novel by Robyn Carr entitled THE LIFE SHE WANTS. Nothing like a good book to cheer flagging spirits!

Today I begin planning what I intend to do during the new year. A fresh start? 

First, as always, comes family needs and concerns.

Second, seeing to health matters.

After that I resolve to continue my writing. This I do faithfully beginning early each morning.

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 2016 was a relatively good one for work. Two of my novels were published: THE KILLING LAND by Five Star/Cengage, a hardcover Western romantic thriller, and
THE INHERITANCE by Intrigue Publishing, a romantic mystery. There were also quite a few short stories published  in a variety of genres.

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

I resolve to do more landscape painting.

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

I would like to do some traveling as well in this new year, go places I have never been before.


What are some of your plans or resolutions for the year ahead?

15 comments:

  1. Jacquie, I had to laugh as I read your blog because mine just went live and the topic is very similar.
    I gave up making resolutions years ago. Instead, I set goals. I even have a little spiral notebook to write them in. Writing them down helps to keep me focused.
    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Pat,

    I guess we're on the same wave length.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like you've got a great year ahead.
    Happy New Year, Jacquie!
    Here's wishing you the biggest and best of God's blessings in 2017
    PamT

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pam,

    Wishing you much success, health and happiness in the coming year!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your goals are roughly the same as the ones I am making, except I think I'll be painting dog pictures rather than landscapes and I think I might try independently publishing a book...that is if I ever get it finished. Here's to a great year, Jacquie, and to many more books and short stories written by you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Maris. I did one painting of a dog for one of my granddaughters at her request. I enjoyed it.

      Delete
  6. It seems you had a good year last year and are on track to have another one this year. My goals are similar to yours--family, health, writing, and the other things that make life worthwhile, such as enjoying friends, volunteering for organizations I admire, and the like. I hope 2017 is a good year for all of us. (We can definitely use it.)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Jacqueline. Happy for you that you had a good year and are looking forward to 2017 with solid goals in mind. I like setting goals that are achievable. This year I want to try and increase my daily word-count so I can have my weekends free. I am lucky enough to be able to write fulltime, but 7 days a week isn't exactly a healthy life balance! Sending you all good things for 2017. Best, Anni xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Anni,

      Like you, I can write fulltime nowadays. I'm retired from teaching, a job I loved, but am happy to be able to write. Of course, I don't always feel inspired, but I do think it's important to write regularly. Part of being a good writer is to interact with other people and that does provide inspiration.

      Delete
  8. My goals are similar except for the painting. I see the pictures in my head but can't get them out. This has caused frustration since I was a little kid. LOL I guess that's why I write. I must get back to my writing this year. I've been letting it go too long. Wishing you all a great year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pat,

      Good luck with your writing in the coming year!

      Delete
  9. I am with you about housework! I like your plans. I have a list of specifics and one list of general things. I don't add lose weight, but I do add activities I won't dead but should help. I don't do well with feeling deprived, so I work in small increments/small steps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Small steps are best. It means you keep to your goals. Have a great year!

      Delete