I've already made three resolutions...but I made them about a week ago.
I don't really believe in resolutions just because I never succeed at them.
My resolutions, much less time wasted playing games on my computer...yes, I do that.
I've deleted a blog I hang around that discusses personal problems. I find them sort of addictive to read at the same time I just shake my head and wonder why people are idiots. Or if maybe all the letters are written by either Fiction Writing 101 college students or thirteen-year-old girls.
Haven't been there in a week and I'm not going back.
And to say NO to sweets. After a badly bacchanalian Christmas season of over-eating, I'm done. I'm back to my usual sense. I promise.
No, none of these resolutions are writing related. But wasted time is time away from writing.
And being healthy is just a good idea.
I'm still writing my usual 1000 words a day.
I'm about to kick off a new series called The Lumber Baron's Daughters. Book #1 The Element of Love is coming March 2. Book #2 is Inventions of the Heart coming in July. Then book three, no cover, no title yet, releases in October 2022.
(wow, I can't quite believe I just typed 2022!!! I remember when everyone was so worked up about 2000, that's closing in on a quarter century ago.) I suppose it means I'm closing in on old age. :(
I've tried to raise my daily writing number a few times. For example, last November...not two months ago, but a year and two months ago, I did NANO. I wrote 50,000 words in one month. Then I spent two weeks revising that fast flow of words.
So six weeks is about 45 days. That's 45,000 words. Not that much of an improvement over my usual speed and the plodding revisions were sad. I had to fix some things that were deeply wrong because my brain just didn't seem to have time to ponder what's next and I went in a few odd directions.
It was good in one way though. It helped me realize NANO didn't work for me. So...insert a sort of weak YAY here.
So resolutions. Did you make any? Have you EVER kept one? Tell me your resolutions. If you made them January 1st, you CAN'T have given up on them yet.
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With their sharp engineering minds, Laura Stiles and her two sisters have been able to deal with their mother's unfortunate choice in husband, until they discover his plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends. Now they must run away--far and fast--to find better matches to legally claim their portion of their father's lumber dynasty and seize control from their stepfather.
When Laura befriends a mission group heading to serve the poor in California during their escape, she quickly volunteers herself and her sisters to join their efforts. Despite the settlement being in miserable condition, the sisters are excited by the opportunity to put their skills to good use. Laura also sees potential in Caleb, the local minister, to help with gaining her inheritance. But when secrets buried in Caleb's past and in the land around them come to light, it'll take all the smarts the sisters have to keep trouble at bay.
After her sister's marriage, Michelle Stiles and her younger sister Jilly are left at Two Harts Ranch, owned by Zane Hart. They've so far managed to stay one step ahead of their stepfather and his devious plans.
Zane has his own problems, having discovered a gold mine on his property. How does he harvest it without kicking off a gold rush? Michelle, educated and trained to run her father's business, wants to manage all aspects of the mine. Zane thinks for a smart woman she can have some misguided ideas. Running that mine will be dangerous, and he doesn't want her exposed to what might occur out there.
But danger finds Michelle anyway when a man breaks into the house and attacks her. Able to fend him off and capture him, they realize he has ties to Michelle's stepfather. If they go to the sheriff, they'll reveal her location, but if they do nothing--their troubles have only just begun.
These books look good. My resolution is to finish the revision on my novel that I am so stuck on. I also resolve to eat better. I need to be more disciplined than in other years if I am going to achieve this. Happy New Year to all. And please put me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy! Cold this morning, huh? Great resolution!
DeleteYep, don't you just love Nebraska in January?!
DeleteI'm looking forward to your new series. I only use Nano now to motivate myself to write. In Nov. 2021, I wrote every day, after having not written for a long time. Thanks for a chance at a gift card. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, the motivation sounds good. I already write everyday so what I needed was motivation to write MORE everyday. It worked but, big picture, not a perfect solution for me.
DeleteI'm pretty hopeless at resolutions. I've tried the "one word" thing, but by the end of the year I barely remember which word I chose, so that doesn't really work either, I guess. I'm going to work this year on determining what the next phase of my life is going to look like, how to eat better and exercise better to feel better, and becoming bolder and more confident in my faith. Those are the large goals, now I just need to figure out the small, measurable steps to make those things happen.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year, everyone!!
Glynis, I've heard people make resolutions to DO things rather than STOP doing things. Like set goals of trips they wanted to take or places they wanted to visit.
DeleteI've kinda stopped doing resolutions. There are goals I want to accomplish in my writing career that I will focus on but I don't consider those resolutions.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your new series.
My resolutions aren't exactly that. :) Just stuff I need to do. And there's no right time of the year to make changes.
DeleteI have never been successful in keeping resolutions...only breaking them. Therefore, I do not make them anymore. I retired early last year and spent most of my time with doctors, a five-day hospital stay, cataract surgeries and late in the year...an ambulance ride. So, in 2022 I am looking towards a healthier year, so I am going to concentrate on eating healthy and doing the things I can to stay healthy.
ReplyDeleteI love your book covers Mary and I look forward to your new series.
Happy New Year and may you all be blessed in 2022.
I've got a pretty poor success right at resolutions too. The best I usually do is just accept myself as I am.
DeleteThis new series looks so good! I love it! I always break resolutions, so I do a one word to focus on. This year it is ABIDE. I want to abide in God's presence...more attentive to Him. I've let my ego and some fear get in the way of life and my writing, getting paralyzed by what I feel like is "expected" of an author, instead of being who God created me to be. I would like to write two books this year. I keep saying that, but it hasn't happened yet. I'm hoping this is the year. :)
ReplyDeleteAbide! I like that Sherrinda!
DeleteI like your resolutions, Mary. I'm still pondering what I should do. I SHOULD give up carbs...but I LOVE carbs, so I'm still pondering!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Carbs The Delicious Enemy!!!
DeleteOhh! I can't wait for your new books! I made a resolution to review 100 books and make at least 50 quote graphics, we will see how I go.
ReplyDeleteThey're coming, Angeline!!!
DeleteI can't wait to read your new series, Mary! What a great concept!
ReplyDeleteI don't make resolutions, but I do develop habits. Habits are very powerful things, for better or for worse. For instance, I developed the habit of reading my Bible when I have my breakfast, thanking God for the food that nourishes my body and for His Word that nourishes my soul. It works because for some odd reason, even on the days I thought I had no time to spend with Jesus, I somehow always found time to eat.
This year I'm trying to develop the habit of reading on the exercise bike. Seldom does a day go by when I don't sit down and read something (sometimes too many hours of too many somethings!) If I could get into the habit of doing that while pedaling on the exercise bike instead of curling up on the couch, imagine how much weight I might lose. And there's plenty of it that needs to be lost! Lol!
Besides resolutions and habits, there are also goals. Like Michelle, I used NanoWriMo in November to motivate me to write every day, and I finally hit the 50,000 word mark for the first time ever. I did this knowing that Harlequin planned on having a Love Inspired Author Search in January and that it would behoove me to have at least the rough draft of a complete story to work with as I attempted to write a synopsis and polish a first chapter to submit. My GOAL is to get published this year. Please pray for me as I spend January and February putting in the time and effort needed to achieve this goal.
Hope everyone has a blessed, productive and prosperous 2022!
Terry it sounds like you're got great goals. Good luck with them.
DeleteGood luck and God bless us all as we tackle 2022
Not really. I find, especially in writing, a year is too long for me to plan. I do some things by quarter. It works better, but things still change a lot.
ReplyDeleteTonya sounds great to me. That New Years Resolution deal isn't a LAW or something. Good thing!
DeleteI don't make New Year's resolutions as I have found in years past. I do set quarterly goals and break those down into weekly goals.
ReplyDeleteThe second person with quarterly goals! I like it!
DeleteMary, my philosophy is if it isn't broke, don't fix it. You're one of the most productive authors I know. So if 1k words a day works, stick with it.
ReplyDeleteNo resolutions here. I prefer the one-word approach, something that will give me focus throughout the year. I'm still deciding on that word for this year. Now that the last of our holiday guests have left (as of only a couple hours ago), I can finally think about something besides what I'm going to fix for the next meal. ;)
LOL there's something to be resolute about. Stop Cooking!
DeleteGuess my resolution is to read more books....read 148 in 2021 and wanted to read 150! Happy New Year to you, Mary, and I do plan to read more of your books in 2022.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your generous giveaway!
My resolution is to stop procrastinating...I will start tomorrow, LOL! Mary, I agree with you about the resolutions, there have been too many failed attempts in the past and that just adds to stress. I just attempt to live each day to the fullest, helping others when I see a need, loving on my family, eat better except for on holidays, etc. I do, however, set goals for myself that don't necessarily start on Jan 1. Setting goals helps me to stay on task.
ReplyDeleteThis year I will attend my first writers conference. This is a huge goal and scary because believe it or not, I am an introvert in person; when writing I break loose, I guess because I can go back and edit before I push "send". There's no edits in making first impressions and I am the world's worst. Pray for me because I am REALLY scared.
This year I will also learn about marketing. I have to whether I like it or not. My books are just sitting here waiting to be recognized.
This year I will enter writing contest. My husband just walked out the door to take four entries to the post office.
I don't consider these resolutions. They are important goals for me.
2021 was the first time I did Nano. I write about 50,000 words every month anyway but wanted to give Nano a try. Suddenly I felt pressure and it sucked the creativity out of me! I found myself writing aimlessly, just to get the word count in! November is a rough month to try to write every day anyway, with holiday preparations and family being much more important.
Your new series sounds amazing! Can't wait to read it!
Happy New Year!
Here's a huge helpful hint, Lynn. Almost all writer's are introverts. Hunt around the room for someone alone, go up and start talking to them. Try the question... What are you writing. Guaranteed 2 hour conversation.
DeleteMy goal is to be more like Mary Connealy. Write 1K words a day! Eat better. Stop wasting time on computer/phone games....it's like we're sisters of the soul!
ReplyDelete<3 you, lady!
I've already stopped a lot of the computer nonsense. Eat better? Well, I've got some healing to do since Christmas!!!
DeleteOh but these books look wonderful. Cant wait to read them.
ReplyDeleteNo i dont do resolutions anymore. I cant seem to keep them. But I do, do monthly goals. Those work so much better and I am so much more successful. I have several for sewing and quilting and several for my health and several for reading and several for reading my bible. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
I've pretty much stopped making resolutions. Instead I have an always-working-on-improvement list. More time writing and working on writing related stuff (spent a couple hours on a new website today,) more time in other creative endeavors (reading, stitching, piano,) and more time outside (walking, hiking, sitting on the deck gazing at the mountains...)
ReplyDelete2022? Bring it on!
I just can't wait to read these three books, Mary! They sound so intriguing! My resolution is to read them ASAP! Other than that, I'm not making any resolutions! Happy writing to all of you writers on Seekerville!
ReplyDeleteI got an all-but-finalized cover for book #3. I have to wait for the go ahead but it should be soon!
DeleteWoohoo!
DeleteIt encourages me so much to read these comments and see that I'm not alone in the making-but-not-achieving new year's resolutions department. The last almost-two years have taught me to just hold on to Jesus' hand and take things one day at a time. These covers are beautiful and the stories sound wonderful! Thanks for the generous giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHi Erin. You sound so wise. The best decision ever!
DeleteNo resolutions. Never have made them. I just want to spend more time in the Word. Thank you for sharing. Congratulations on the new series.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds great, Lucy. I read the Bible-in-a-Year last year and have started again. I'm online with it and get it read to me. I'm enjoying it.
DeleteI don't really make resolutions, I certainly make a lot of plans though, especially writing and publishing plans. I also usually try to pick out a word for the year. But no resolutions.
ReplyDeleteHi Nicki. Well, it's July 3 and considering a few unwise eating choices I've made together, I guess, I'll call a mulligan on this new year and just start tomorrow!!!
DeleteNo resolutions this year last year I wanted to walk more and I did but this year no resolutions for me Congratulations on your New Series Love the covers!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah. Walking is a terrific choice.
ReplyDeleteNo resolutions for me. I never keep them, but I do try to make small changes as things arrive.
ReplyDeleteI don't make resolutions at the beginning of the year, but find that i do them throughout the year. Thank you for entering me in the Giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYour new books look good. Can't wait to read them. My resolution is to finish my first cozy mystery, started in November. Lower my sugar levels (diabetes). Loose some weight (of course), and grow in my walk with God. I will keep these, because they are important to me. Thanks for the post, Mary. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI don't make resolutions. Both books sounds good. Thanks for a chance. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI never make resolutions! I have read all of your books and can't wait for the new ones!
ReplyDeleteI think my biggest resolution or goal is to not let myself take on too much again. I had several times last year when I was rather overwhelmed and felt like there was nothing left of me for my family. In some ways maybe it sounds like a backward resolution, but I think having less stress is better than increasing my number of books coming out each year at this point.
ReplyDeleteI know I am late to this post, but my devices seem to struggle with websites on occasion.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my goals for this year are to exercise more if not daily, finish a historical romance and submit to a publisher and figure out my writing style, and find local Christian community in my area of Indiana. I have been so lonely lately.
When I tried sending comments on the day of the post, I asked to be in the drawing. Is it too late?