Happy New Year! by Diane Burton

 

Here we are welcoming 2023. Will it be a good year or one like 2020? Let's hope not. 

At this time every year, we tend to look back at the previous year and look forward to the new one. It's no wonder that the Roman god Janus (January) is associated with the new year. He's often shown with two faces.

Looking back, was 2022 a good year for you? Not so much for me. I've had worse (e.g., the aforementioned 2020) and better (too numerous to mention specifics). My productivity on the writing side in 2022 was zilch. I forgot (or ignored) the axiom of writers: BICHOK. What's that, you say? Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard. That's the only way writers are productive. 

On the other hand, 2022 marked my 50th wedding anniversary. Yeah, 50 years with the same man. Many of my friends already surpassed that. Yet, many people don't reach that milestone. My parents almost did, but my dad died four months before. As a writer of relationship stories, I'm glad I found my happy-ever-after. Not that it was all rainbows and unicorns. But then, what marriage is? 

Enough looking back. New Year's Day is a time to plan, a time to make resolutions (that most of us don't keep) or promises to do better. I consider the new year as a time to begin again. I started writing almost 30 years ago. Many of those manuscripts will never see the light of day. They were practice. My first published book was a science fiction romance. I've written several more in that genre. Also, some cozy mysteries and suspense. A few short stories, some novellas, and enough full-length novels to be proud of.

I could sit back, resting on my laurels. Or I could finish the novels already started, the novellas from short stories. No promises this year. No resolutions. Done that enough times, only to disappoint myself. So, what to do?

The best I can. 

How about you?

Happy New Year to my colleagues and especially to our readers. May it be the best for all of us.

No Resolutions! Checklists work for me! Post by Jessica E. Subject

It's January again, and that means many people are talking about the goals and resolutions they want to accomplish in 2022. I gave up on those years ago. I get easily disappointed with myself if I do not accomplish things by a certain date. And when I'm working on something creative, like writing my stories, that can be disastrous. Sure, I have stories I'd love to publish this year (see below), but I don't have any dates set, and I know that plans can change, and other ideas often invade my mind.

(notice the crossed fingers)

So, what do I do instead? I use checklists!!

I have daily, weekly, and monthly checklists, and started using them at the beginning of the pandemic to stay focused. The format has changed a bit since then to become what it is now. Some of the items on my checklists are personal, and others are work-related. But I get great joy from checking off the little boxes. So much so, it motivates me to get them done. 

Above is a screenshot of part of this month's daily, weekly, and monthly checklist. (The weekly and monthly ones are listed at the unseen bottom part.)

DAILY

These are my more personal things to accomplish. I always want to get them done, but I never set a target. Simply working on them for any amount of time is enough for me. Some days I will work on them longer, and other days only for a few minutes. It depends on how much time I have that day, and whether I am able to focus for long periods of time. Under write, any work on my stories counts, whether it be planning, writing, editing, etc. Right now I am reviewing all three of my Kaddim Brothers stories and making sure my world bible is up-to-date. Reading can be anything, though I usually read webtoons, print books, and/or ebooks. Exercise is usually a class through my fitness studio. They're all online now, as we're in another shutdown, but I look forward to getting back to the studio, as the people there keep me accountable. And I'm trying to learn Korean. Have been at it for two years now. I know it's going to take a lot longer, but daily practice from multiple learning platforms definitely has helped me.

WEEKLY

These are work-related tasks; things I have to or should accomplish each week. They are for other jobs, or for writing-related promo. I usually have set days of the week I accomplish these tasks, but I keep them off my daily checklist, as the day I accomplish them can sometimes vary.

MONTHLY

These are tasks I do once a month, like this post on Paranormal Romantics, or my author newsletter. It's more a reminder for me to do them so I don't forget.

The key is, you need to find what works for you. Not everyone is the same, and it's important to recognize that.

So, what works for you? I'm always curious about others. Are you for goals and resolutions, or do smaller tasks work better for you? Do you need set dates and targets, or do you have a more fluid sense of accomplishment?

Until next month!

Resolutions, Goals, or Intentions, oh my!

 By Maureen Bonatch 

 

A new year, but often the same resolution for many people. Most confident that they’ll be able to keep their resolution. Otherwise, why keep making them? 

Perhaps because we want to start fresh with a new year, and it’s difficult to admit that sometimes we might be responsible for not achieving successful goals. 

The good news is that we’re not alone. Most don’t achieve them, but even knowing that, it’s a good idea to make them since they have a positive effect in giving us hope for the new year. The other good news is that you have options. 

Resolution or Goal?

A resolution is more of an overarching decision to do, or not to do something, while a goal involves more taking action to make it happen. You could also set an intention, or determine a word that you want to focus and work toward through the year. 

I’ve found that often my resolutions tend to be the same year after year, so last year I laid out specific goals. I achieved many of them this way—such as publishing three books in my new Charmed Cocktail Cozies—while others I continued to struggle with, such as the roller coaster of embracing self-care and health. 

For many of us we want to set a very high expectation, which we think would be fabulous to obtain, but it can also set us up for disappointment if we can’t live up to our own standards. 

This year I’m planning to try something different. I know, the year has already started, but it’s never too late to make a new goal, or resolution, or intention in my opinion. 

Stop, Start or Pause

I plan to decide what I want to start doing more of, and stop doing with the hope that these will help drive me toward achieving more goals and overall satisfaction. Because usually there is something that is interfering, or stopping us, from achieving those goals. Perhaps getting to the root cause of the issue might help me find success. 

For example. I have won NaNoWri almost every year, yet it is the only month I hold myself to that word count standard. 

I plan to: 

• Stop lying to myself about how I will make up my desired daily word count during a few days of the week. 

• Start setting structured word count goals and holding myself accountable for them. 

Another would be to: 

• Stop taking course after course looking for the ‘secret sauce’. 

• Start implementing what I’ve learned. 

I might also decide to put some goals on pause. This might not be the right time to pursue them, but that doesn't mean that another time wouldn't work if I return to it later.

 How About You? Do You Make a Resolution? Goal? Intention? None of the Above, or Other? 

Check out this fabulous cozy mystery giveaway- maybe you can win some new books to start the new year! Enter RIGHT HERE.

Just a small-town girl, Maureen Bonatch leads a double life. She lives in a magical world as a novelist, and as a nurse leader in reality. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a new-fangled thing. She’s since changed her focus to writing paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch. 

 While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible. She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival. 

 Find M.L Bonatch on Amazon or  Keep the conversation going by joining my Facebook Group right HERE!

Don't Let the Fear of Change Hold You Back

By Maureen Bonatch 

The holiday season is usually stressful for most, but it can be especially stressful for Scruff. I can't blame him. Scruff is like most people. He likes routines. He likes his things to be in the same place and he really doesn't care for change—until he does. But it's that time in between. The uncertainty of what to expect, the fear of the unknown, that causes him much distress. 

Thus, when we began moving things around the house and putting up holiday decorations in November, Scruff was very worried despite him going through this same routine seven times over his lifetime. 

Where were we putting his toys? What is going on? 

He'd gotten very comfortable with how things were all year and didn't think that it could be different, or any better. But once the decorations were out and his toys were still there, even if they were in a different location, he decided he was okay with it. His world didn't end, it was just...different. 

But then he had to deal with Christmas morning and finally those presents that were under the tree were going to be opened. Once again he worried that this was yet another change. He'd just gotten used to ignoring the gifts and accepting that nothing needed to change.

       Here is a picture of Scruff looking a bit apprehensive about these Christmas shenanigans.

                                        

Once Scruff realized there were presents for him and that this could be kind of fun, he decided he was definitely good with opening presents. This change was good. He'd much rather open presents than just gather them and look at them and wonder how his world might change if he opened them. 

Then, just this week, he had to endure another difficult day wondering what was going on with his world when we put all the holiday decorations away. But then once we were done, his toys were back where they originally belonged and things were good again. But initiating the change, enduring it and then accepting it is hard, even if it's for the better in the long run. 

Embracing Change for the New Year 

Many of us are thinking about New Year's resolutions and positive changes for 2021. Many of us will forget all about those resolutions and goals within a few weeks because changing a habit or mindset is hard and most of us really want to go for the big pie in the sky changes—and we'd prefer if they happened overnight. 

So if you're like me, you're scouring all the success stories of people who have achieved your goal, whether it's to lose weight, incorporate exercising, paying off debt or being a wild success in their career. Then you try to absorb all of that and lay out an overwhelming amount of plans to make it happen—and usually while looking for the fastest, easiest way —until you realize that the way one person achieves a goal might not work because we only know what's going to work well for ourselves. 

I couldn't tell Scruff (well at least I wasn't sure that he'd understand) that there was nothing to worry about with this change. That maybe he'd like it better once it was done or that he just had to endure a little work and perhaps discomfort or uncertainty for the end result. 

But we can give ourselves that very advice. We can tell ourselves that we've made goals before and often achieved them. It just might take time, persistence and changing some of our habits today to make the tomorrow we envision. The challenge will be whether or not we will listen. 

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. 

Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter

New Year - New Resolutions by Diane Burton

The new year, new decade, is 2 weeks old. Almost. Each year, I start out with new resolutions. Rather, I recycle last year's resolutions. Eat healthier, exercise more, finish that d*mn book. 

Eat healthier: we're off to a good start there. Hubs is on a low salt diet (because of his heart and kidneys). That's motivated both of us to be more conscious of ingredients. You know, the label on the sides of packages? My eyes zero in on sodium grams. But, more importantly, reading the size of a portion. That's where we often fall down. I read "500 grams sodium" and think that's good. Until I look at the portion. Half a cup? Say what! Our "normal" portion is a cup. Now we're looking at 1,000 grams (half his daily amount). Don't buy that.

I'm also hitting Weight Watchers (now called WW) on a regular basis. I know it works...when I work at it. So, Wednesday mornings you'll find me at a meeting to get inspired to track what I eat and to eat healthier.

Exercise: not doing so good there. Yet. Snow, ice. Yep, that hit us this weekend. Our daughter told us about these things you put on your shoes (Yak Trax) that help prevent slipping outdoors. They came yesterday. I'll have to try them out today. Or maybe tomorrow.

Finish the book: I'm rereading Linda Howard's Kiss Me While I Sleep. How does that connect to the book I'm writing? No, I'm not procrastinating finishing my book. The Spy (4th book in my Outer Rim series) is about a rookie covert agent who has to bring in a veteran before his cover is blown. Howard's book is about a veteran agent who has to eliminate another veteran who's gone rogue. That's given me some ideas. I'm stuck at the 75% mark. I know the ending, but I think I've written myself into a corner. I've pulled back. Reading or rereading to fill the creative well helps. 

I've been sharing 8-10 sentence snippets from The Spy with the Weekend Writing Warriors on my blog each weekend. The comments have inspired me more than I expected. My fellow Warriors anticipate things I never thought of. They've made me step back and rethink the motivations of the main characters. Better than a critique group.

Since I don't have a cover yet, here's the rest of the series.

Tentative blurb for The Spy.

Rookie agent must rescue veteran before his cover is blown.

Genna Nogaro, new to the Coalition of Planets’ Intelligence Commission, is assigned to bring in an undercover operative in Hallart’s organization. More experienced agents died before getting him out. Were they killed by the intergalactic gangster or has the operative gone rogue?

Quintall d’Sernin, con man extraordinaire, infiltrated the mob and moved up to be the gangster’s right-hand man. Hallart has his tentacles throughout the Coalition—business, industry, and government. Quin’s finally worked himself into a valued position. All he needs is the key to mob structure in order for Coalition forces to take down the entire organization.

Genna will pose as a new recruit to distract Hallart long enough for Quin to find the key. If they work together, they can accomplish more. But Quin and Genna’s lives are jeopardized by a mole in the Intelligence Commission. Will their true roles be revealed before they accomplish their goal?

How are you doing on your resolutions for 2020?


   

My Favorite Thing About the New Year is Last Year

By Maureen Bonatch

I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions. Sure, I’ve made them, but all too often they’re the same resolutions and feel more like a ‘to do’ list, or even a ‘things I feel guilty about not doing last year list’. So much that I could label it as things I should’ve done last year—eat healthier, exercise more, spend more time writing etc. etc. Or I should say, ditto from last year.

I’ve tried making detailed lists of steps to reach these goals at the start of the New Year, but instead of motivating me to do more, it simply gave me more to feel guilty about a few months into the year when I realize how far I’d fallen behind. Besides, I’ve come to accept that the motivation and desire to make a change is more important—and effective— than the month of the year.

Paper Calendar of Dreams

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of a new year isn’t always resolutions—it’s getting out my new calendar. Sure, I have an online google calendar, and it’s awesome—but it isn’t enough. There’s something about a paper calendar.

When I get my new monthly desk calendar out, the crisp blank pages are waiting for me to make them my own, just like the new year. Each new month just waiting to be filled with all the hopes, dreams and goals for the new year.

Life Happens Between the Wrinkled Pages

Life is busy. So much that sometimes the days, months and years seem to blur together. I’ll wonder if something happened this year— or maybe it was the year before. When I pull out the calendar for the year that’s ending, I go through it month by month to write down those special days that reoccur every year such as birthdays and anniversaries. Adding stickers or highlighting so I don’t forget, and to remind me what I have to look forward to when I flip to that new month.

Usually this mundane task inadvertently results in my reflecting on the past year. Recalling the challenges, the joys, and the memories that were made. It allows me to appreciate just how much happened, in addition, or instead of, those recurring resolutions.

Because often the best things in life are all those little things that happen while we’re focusing on what we think are the big things.

How Do You Reflect on the Passing Year?

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter

Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter

Resolutions in a Time of Uncertainty by Jane Kindred

I know it’s not popular these days to make resolutions, but I was never one of the popular kids. I don’t generally write mine down, but I do usually go into the year with specific goals in mind, large and small. This year is beginning with a lot of uncertainty, so, for me, it’s crucial to make specific plans and give myself something to look forward to. So here are my five resolutions for 2017:

1.     Stand Up to Oppression of All Forms
This is more of an ongoing life resolution, but this year it’s more important than ever to take a public stand to reject any and all acts of hate and the policies that drive them. I intend to work actively to oppose any agenda that promotes hatred and oppression of people of color, Muslims, Jews, LGBTQ+, immigrants, women, the disabled, and any other group that may be targeted.

2.     Write Daily
I used to write daily, but it’s been very difficult lately. This year, I plan to finish Book 3 in my Sisters in Sin series, and write Book 4, at a minimum. Book 3 was meant to be my NaNo book last November, but I’d barely written 3,000 words by the end of the month. Quite frankly, I’ve been so frightened, anxious, and sick at heart that it’s been difficult to do anything, but I managed to get the proposal for Book 3 done and sent off to my editor today, so I’m motivated. I’m also motivated by the prospect of my characters kicking modern-day Nazi ass. (And having a hero who looks like Chris Hemsworth’s Thor doesn’t hurt motivation either.) I don’t have a clue what Book 4 is going to be about, but each of the books in this series tells the story of one of my Lilith-descended sisters and the serpent/dragon shifters who love them. I’ve done Aztec, Sumerian, and Viking dragons so far, so the next dragon will come from yet another mythology.

3.     Read More
“More” is kind of vague, I know, but last year was a tough one for my ability to read. When I’m depressed, I can’t concentrate on any writing but my own (and concentrating on my own is difficult enough). This year, I’m not going to set a number for how many books to read. I chose 52 one year and managed (just barely) to do it, but I didn’t really get much enjoyment out of it, which is kind of the point of reading. I know some people read far more than that, but we’re all different, and reading more than a book a week while writing books (and blog posts) would be impossible for me. So I’m just going to resolve to read something this month to start off with, to get myself back into the joy of reading, and see where it goes from there.

4.     Move More
Depression isn’t really conducive to getting adequate exercise either, but I’m going to try my best to develop a routine and stick to it. Probably a combination of walking, yoga, and some kind of strength training. I’d really like to learn krava maga like my character Ione in the Sisters series, but I have some chronic pain and mobility issues from disc injuries so I’m not sure it’s possible for me. A weekly therapeutic yoga class I started attending a year and a half ago has helped immensely with the pain and mobility, but I’d like to make my yoga practice an actual daily practice. Also, I’m standing on a treadmill in front of my standing desk as I write this that I could actually be walking on instead, so at the very least, I’m resolving to walk on it for at least 30 minutes a day. Starting tomorrow. Ha.

5.     Treat Yo Self
Self-care is important for everyone, but writing can be a lonely and demanding business that doesn’t particularly promote treating yourself well. My disc issues were exacerbated by my writing habits, for instance, causing long-term pain, and my desire to be a hermit who rarely wears pants has not helped in my goal of becoming physically fit. So I’m going to make a plan for a series of rewards for meeting various goals this year. Rather than bake and binge on my favorite cookies right this damn minute because I want to, I’m going to treat myself to those cookies when I’ve accomplished a certain number of words on the WIP.

I fear I may already fail in my resolve not to bake those cookies right this damn minute though.

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? If so, what are yours? Do you think you’ll keep them?

Resolutions and Writing Goals

The new year is fast approaching, and many are making resolutions. I have personal resolutions, like exercising more, cutting back on the sweets... But I also have some writing goals, things I want to accomplish by the end of 2013. Here's my list:

1. Finish the two series that I've already started and had the first in the series published.
2. Revise and/or rewrite all six stories in my Mark of the Stars series, and get them published.
3. Publish a new series of alien romances.
4. Write another clone story.
5. Start a new series of erotica short stories.
6. Spend less time on twitter.
7. Spend more time writing.

So, I'm going to try and work a tight schedule to get all of these things accomplished. And with two releases in January, I'm going to have even more added to my daily to-do lists. But for me, I have to be scheduled in order to get things accomplished. Otherwise, my mind tends to drift to other things, like what my friends are up to on twitter. LOL

Do you make New Year's resolutions? Any goals? And if so, what's on your list?

Author Bio:

Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from her readers. Made For Her is set to release January 15, 2013 and Accidental Romance in mid-January.

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Authorgraph

Resolution...spell that!

It's wrong, no...no...no...no! It has to be wrong. Right? How can the New Year start in winter. Who set this calendar up anyway? And why, oh why, do I have to follow it? Ah hah--I don't!! *grin*

I'm not one for resolutions at any time of year, and I don't do well with setting goals. Things I'd resolved to do, goals I had set, almost always changed. Life gets in the way of both. Resolutions, I can't think of a single one I made--and kept. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. For me the bad thing was making it, and breaking it. That made me feel bad, so I stopped making resolutions. And that's that.

I celebrate the beginning of a new year when trees bloom, when tulips pop up in my yard, and when birds sing a new song. For me the year begins when Spring arrives. I don't resolve to work in my garden, I don't plan to plant a new flower, I don't have to--it happens. It happens because I simply love springtime!!

Everyone has a time that they feel new, refreshed, and alive. Use that time to grow and flourish, resolve only to use that time to do what you want to do!

And in finishing, I found some pics of plants, after all--it's Friday! *grin*

Photos courtesy of Bentboy's Place

Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out.-© J. Hali Steele

2011 is gonna be big!

Now that Santa's taking a well-deserved vacation, it's time to turn our sights on the coming new year.



2010 has been a long year and a fast year at the same time. Personal highs were hit, terrible lows were witnessed and everything in between. I'm glad to welcome 2011 into my life and see where it takes me.

So, here's list of what I hope to accomplish in my writing life:

I want to write the follow-up novel to Damaged Cargo. It will be another sci-fi but will follow Tomis' story after he was taken in the transport ship.

I want to write the sequel to Wedgie Tales and Panty Lines. This book was reviewed the least by "professional" reviewers but it was the best well-received among readers. lol The sequel will still be in Kate's perception and she'll get into more trouble in her work and personal lives :-)

I want to write a parody on the typical Regency novel and have this idea mapped out. It'll be...interesting.

I want to write another Strange Hollow novella. This will turn the little town upside down.

I want to write a historical short novel as an unconnected follow-up to one I wrote this year (more info forthcoming soon)

And also in the sparkling horizons of my mind is a new plot line for a sequel to my sci-fi Blink. At this time it's still an apple in my eye though lol

Finish my half-written historical, Kitty LaSalle.

And who knows what else will burst from my imagination during the year. That's the most exciting thing.



In my personal life, these are a few of the things I'm hoping for:

Learn how to be a better editor in order to do justice to the stories that come across my desk.

Keep on learning the craft of writing to make my own works more compelling.

Try to keep up with housework so the cobwebs don't become a permanent part of the decorating scheme.

Actually fold and put away the laundry so the hubs and I aren't living out of laundry baskets.

Lose at least 30 pounds. Yeah, I know everyone says that, but this is needed. The treadmill and I will become intimately acquainted soon as well as kissing the sweets goodbye.

Be more vigilant at taking vitamins/supplements daily.

Turning off the computer earlier and getting more sleep (more than 6 hours)

Make a greater push to accept my limitations and be confident about my work.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg :-)



So, that's what I'm hoping for.

What's on your agenda this year? Did you surprise yourself while making out your list?