Write From the Soul

Happy New Year Everyone!!!   

Now that we've made it through the holiday season, it's time to settle back into a calmer pattern of "normalcy." Well, maybe normal isn't the perfect word for it, but it is time to move onward.

Heading into January often includes those dreaded resolutions for the new year. Some of them seem to find their way onto the list every year (lose weight, exercise more, organize the house) because we want to do them. Yet somehow, they never get done, or we fall short of the goal. I don't know about you, but that just has a way of making me feel bad about myself rather than helping me improve. So this year, I'm only writing things that either: A) I know I can accomplish and WILL accomplish, or B) are reasonable and purposeful even if I only accomplish a portion of them. 

Here we go. Oh, and the reason for announcing them publicly? 
It keeps me from weaseling out of doing them- I'm good at the rationalizing and avoidance thing- and I firmly believe in the power of positive expression. Putting positive thoughts out in the Universe brings that positivity back to you. And I'm a big fan of positivity as a means to Heal the World.

So, the list. 
1. Blog more regularly. 
If I want to stay connected to the kidlitosphere, I need to participate in it. Blogging is the simplest form of that. This also includes responding more to comments left on my blog- sorry I'm not so good at that.
2.  Go to at least one writers' conference and try to attend one I've never been to before.
3. Begin and hopefully finish at least 2 writing projects. 
That means 1st draft, working it through critique groups, and revisions. I'm thinking a picture book and a middle grades book.

Seeing a trend here? Lots of goals for writing, yes, but also do-able. Okay back tot he list...

4. Read at least 4 writers' craft books. These could be books on developing plot, writing query letters to agents, creating better dialog, or promoting yourself and your writing.
5. Enter a manuscript in a contest. 
I really shy away from this because I'm sure I'll never win or place. Not. A. Positive. Attitude. This year, I send one in.
6. Send a dozen query letters out to agents. 
I'd really like to find a literary agent this year. But in keeping with my statement about making resolutions purposeful and do-able, sending out those queries is the means to the end. Without querying, the agent is never obtained.

Okay, that's plenty for the writing side. Now for the more personal goals.

1. Eat healthier with the goal of lowering my A1C number.  
This is the diabetes indicator and I was classified as "pre-diabetic" for 2 years then had a period of time this past year when I became diabetic. Hate. It. I'm back down into the 'pre' category but would like to get down into the No-diabetes category......and soon.
2. Make a new friend. 
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing icky about the friends I have! But, for me, when I make a new friend- and I mean when you really develop that connection with someone- it feels like my heart grows a little bigger. I find that connection to others extremely life affirming for me and that's the kind of positivity I want surrounding me.
3.Find an additional way to help others. 
There are some mini and small scale things I do with regularity that help others, but the largest ways I helped out others have gone by the wayside. Service to others feeds my soul and I'm feeling a little less 'soulful' than I like to be. I'm hoping something will strike me this year. (Well, not literally strike me!)

I actually have a couple more resolutions, but they are extremely personal and I'm not willing to share them with the world just yet. I think for now, they will just stay quietly on the edge of my brain.


So, what's on your resolution list? Anything you want to share? Looking forward to connecting with all of you this new year.