ONE WORD!
Or not!!???
A writer's group I'm on has been talking about their ONE WORD for the last few days.
And I've been mulling over what I want to use as my one word and that leads me to ask if ONE WORD is a legit way to face the new year.
I mean...
INTENSITY
PEACE
RISK
What are those really except cool words?
What if we did three words.
TAKE A CHANCE
FINISH THE BOOK
CLIP MY TOENAILS (okay don't pick that!)
Or how about five words.
All You Can Eat Bacon
Stop eating like an idiot
Where are my car keys?
Or how about TEN words....or no, just forget it.
It all gets complicated and I intend to forget what I picked. So today instead I'm going to pick the word that WILL define my 2020 Vision.
It's gonna be FOCUS
And book #3 is next October, title is Her Secret Song--no cover yet.
And then we get to this NEW CONTRACT. The next year I'm going to have THREE books releasing in one year.
I asked Bethany House if I could do that because as things stand now, I have just enough spare time to get myself in trouble.
Spare time involves too much thinking. I need to avoid thinking at all costs.
So the next year, well, I'm not sure of the release dates, but THREE full length novels in one year and, because I can do it, but there is little downtime, my word is
FOCUS
And not because I intend to focus but because … trust me … I have no choice but to focus.
And if this works and they want to do it again....I NEED TO THINK OF ANOTHER IDEA FOR THREE MORE BOOKS.
(fortunately, I know what I'd like to write next and debated which series idea to pitch!)
Still, Mary The Dork needs to focus. And I will because I HAVE NO CHOICE!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR SEEKERVILLAGERS!
I have a book on sale all month.
Grab a copy just to have a good book handy if you're ever trapped in an airport...where all the books cost $30!!!
http://www.maryconnealy.com
THREE Connealy books in ONE year????? *swoon*
ReplyDeleteHow exciting, Mary! Congrats!
I'm excited! I h0pe it's not more Connealy than most people want!
DeleteNo such thing as too much Connealy!!!!!
DeleteThat is exciting! Congratulations!! My word for this year is "Connection". I want to be intentional about connecting more with God and my family and friends. Making new connections is tough for us introverts, but I want to focus on that this year. I also chose a verse, or set of verses to meditate on over the year: the beloved Psalm 23. That is the connection that I want with God this year.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and again, congrats!!
Connection, Glynis, that's wonderful. So many strong words that when you focus on one you really get a great feeling for it and I LOVE Connection.
DeleteI'm so tickled about THREE books! But you're right - that will require FOCUS! But what a great goal.
ReplyDeleteMy Word is pursue. Pursue peace with others (and that isn't so easy in our current society) and pursue God. Pursue my goals, and pursue those many books that are flapping around in my brain without a perch yet. But mostly, the idea of pursue is from 1 Peter 3:10-11 - "For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it."
Hitting the ground running in 2020!
I like PURSUE, Jan. What a great choice.
DeleteAlso if it was FOUR words Hitting the Ground Running would be good.
That sounds like a good word, Jan.
DeleteThat's a great word, Jan.
DeleteMary, you never cease to amaze me. Go you! I have yet to determine my word for 2020. Focus could be a good one. Will have to continue praying about it and see what God has to say.
ReplyDeleteHi Mindy! Happy New Year. Truth is, I can't remember my One Word from other years. I don't think the kinda-fun exercise actually matters.
DeleteOr maybe that's just Forgetful Mary. :)
That's wonderful news, Mary! Congratulations! My word for 2019 was Focus and it served me well as it was the worst year for things coming up in our family life to distract me from writing my two books. This year, my word is "intentional". I want to do everything with "intention" & purpose. To be able to use last year's focus and narrow it down even more so that every little thing I do whether for work or my relationships, I'm doing it with intention to make it great, or better, or whatever needs to be done at the time. I like the idea of picking a word or a phrase to concentrate on over the year because all your goals and strategies can flow from it.
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations again on your three book contract! I know I personally don't have the chops or focus to write 3 books in one year, but I'm looking forward to reading yours. :)
Laurie, really? YOURS WAS FOCUS?
DeleteI have a used One Word? Well, okay. Sticking with it! :)
"You're mocking me, aren't you", as Buzz Lightyear says in Toy Story... :)
DeleteNo Blog comment quoting Buzz Lightyear is ever wrong!
DeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteMy word for 2018 was focus! Last year persevere and this year is vision. I need to get a clear vision on where I want my writing and writing career to go! Three books in one year is AWESOME! Can't wait to do lunch in two weeks!
No way, Rose! Cool. I wonder if we talked about this and I tucked it away in my memory banks somewhere?
DeleteMary - I LOVE your books so I'm looking foward to reading them ALL when they release. :)
ReplyDeleteWith my season of life right now, I have NO CHOICE but to pull myself out of bed and get the kids moving and then corral my two year old all day long - no matter how I'm feeling. Some days I'd like to stay in bed and start all over (like today - two and a half sickies at home [one looks like she's getting sick], and things are just not going my way today...).
Oh dear, better go clean up. Just heard s.o. hurling...lol. (I guess I have NO CHOICE but to clean that up...)
Aw, Lee-Ann, poor baby (you AND the sickies). Hang in there.
DeleteLee-Ann, praying your day gets better and all your little ones get well.
DeleteMary, I think discipline or perseverance would have to be my word. I don't really choose one, but I definitely need more discipline and perseverance. Maybe determination would be another good one as I am determined to get my book revised and try to do something with it. I also need to see where I am going next with my writing.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am currently almost done reading The Reluctant Warrior and going to move on to The Unexpected Champion. I really love this series. My book group is going to be discussing it. I think it might be my favorite of your series so far.
Congratulations on your next 3-book series. I wish I could be as prolific as you are.
Sandy, both of your words are great choices. We need them to soldier on!
DeleteI'm so glad you're enjoying the series. I thought it was a lot of fun.
And tell your book club THANK YOU!
Would you like me to mail you some bookmarks or something like that? Tell me the number in the club and I'll send them off.
Mary, there are only 4 of us in my book club. We are actually meeting this Saturday, but I'm sure they would still enjoy bookmarks. I'm sure we will be reading more of your books in the future as well! My book group does enjoy your books. By the way, I will write reviews for these two books on Amazon.
DeleteMary, congrats on a new contract! It does sound like Focus will be a good word for you this year! I've been hearing that word a bit too. Still haven't taken the time to really consider it yet. I feel like my post-holiday life has just returned today. :)
ReplyDeleteMissy it's too late to pick a word. Sorry, deadline is past.
DeleteMaybe next year. LOL
Yea!! More Mary Books to Enjoy!!! Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm cheating and using last year's words "LIGHT DAWNS" (Isaiah 9:2 "On those living in a land of deep darkness a LIGHT has DAWNED!" and John 1:5 "The LIGHT shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.")
And I am hoping to get back to writing more- any writing, any amount of time! Just me, my laptops & moving fingers!
Aw, thanks Jana!!! I love the verse, both of them. Thank you. We can't FOCUS well without light!
DeleteWow. I would love to have a contract for ONE more book. :-) For the second year in a row, my word chose me. Last year, it was BRAVE. This year, I am going with STRETCH. Stretching myself spiritually and mentally, and stretching my author life by trying a few more things to gain a few more readers. And maybe even stretching myself physically if I can find a good yoga regimen. Worth a shot, right?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your contract!
I could use a good yoga regimen. I suppose I'd have to get off the couch though, right???
DeleteCongratulations on your current series (somehow I missed this but will def order ASAP) as wells as your new 4-book contract! I can't wait to read all of them!
ReplyDeleteMy word this year is intentional. I am working on improving EVERY area of my life and want everything I do to work toward that. I'm so bad about taking on way too much at one time, and this derails my goals every single time.
I love the variety of words. Pat W, intentional is great. And all the words have strength and are different. They're terrific.
DeleteThat was my word for last year, Pat! I'm not sure I lived into as well as I wanted to but I think it's great for direction and focus.
DeleteI've never gotten much into the choosing a word for your new year...mostly because I would probably forget the word by February and have wasted all that time trying to choose just the right one. Perhaps my word should be remember. :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a new series with Bethany. You're going to rock it! :)
I think we should, instead, wait until the year is over and choose the word looking back. Mine might be CHAOS. Or "I want my life back." Or well, how about 'where did I leave my phone?'
DeleteAll words that describe last year.
Yippee more Mary Connealy books! I still remember the first time I read one of your books. It was such a treat. My word is Thankful. I have so much to be thankful for. My new book comes out in March and the editor is anxious for me to finish writing book 2. I'm also thankful for my wonderful editor at Anaiah Press. I also love my daytime job. That and there are more Mary Cannealy books on the way! THANKFUL!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the book, Jamie! And thankful is a wonderful word for the year!
DeleteJamie, what a great word. Wow, we all need to spend more time appreciating what we have. Instead I fear we spent too much time wanting things we DON'T have. Good for you, Jamie.
DeleteHello Mary! Congratulations on your new contract. I haven't given much thought to my word this year (stubbornly trying to avoid it) but the word I need to pick is FINISH. I need to finish a book (or 2 or 3), finish some outside obligations and finish multiple non-writing projects I've started.
ReplyDeleteFinish the Book! Three words.
DeleteFirst, I love that you're doing 3 books....
ReplyDeleteSecond, I love My One Word.
Mine for this year is "Restraint".
Maybe it will keep me from talking too much. Or from buying too much. Or from being too critical of others when I'm kind of a dufus myself.
In any case, it came to me after some thought because my USUAL pattern is on strength and joy... My past words are all like that.
So this one is different and we'll see if I can restrain myself from being... well... you know... me. ;)
Restrain, well, that will be dull...for me. :)
DeleteHi Mary:
ReplyDeleteWhile I have been slow this year coming up with my ONE WORD, your post inspired my choice: PRODUCTION.
Yes, Production. Get with it. Get stuff done. Finish some of my first and second draft WIPs.
Indie publish. Just get some work out there!
One comment about FOCUS. You can obtain perfect focus and still be looing through the wrong end of the telescope. :)
Vince
Uh oh, Vince. You're right. AND you can focus on the details and miss the big picture. Or focus on the big picture and miss important details....okay, changing my word to WORRY!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year (a week late...)
ReplyDeleteI've been missing Seekerville greatly. Colorado living has been keeping me away :(. But it's a new year and my goal is to get back here mucho more often because I get somewhat grumpy without a dose of Seekerville community.
p.s. the first word to come to mind for me this year: survive
Deletehubby is doing new type of therapy for his PTSD and we've been warned it'll get worse before he gets better...
oh, and Mary... if you're coming to Denver for the Stock Show - let me know when and Guppy and I may be able to connect with you. :)
It's not about selecting the right
ReplyDeletenumber of
Words…
It's about stimulating the most
productive
Urge.
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