Happy New Year

What.A.Year. I mean, it’s been one crazy ride. Every time we thought nope, nothing could top this…something would come along and we’d be shaking our heads yet again. We’ve lost so many greats this year and I can’t help but wonder, was it this year or just that I’m getting older? I feel like this little experiment is democracy is coming to an end. We’ve clearly learned nothing from the ‘great’ nations that came before us, because none of them lasted. Greed and prejudice and a lack of respect for life cut them down one by one. Are we so far behind that? I hope we are, but I doubt it more and more. I hope we can get it together and find love in our hearts for everyone, because that’s what this whole America thing was supposed to be about. Freedom and respecting each other’s differences. Right? RIGHT?

Despite the unrest in the world, this has been the best year for me personally since 2012. I’m in love with my job (Yes. In love. It’s a thing.) and I’ve started writing for myself again. Best of all, I am finally going to own my own home again. As an introvert, this is a big deal for me. As someone who needs a home base and a safe haven from the world, having a space to call your own is monumental. I haven’t had that since 2012 and it truly made a difference in my mental wellness. We’re building a house and it should be ready in February. This house has every upgrade that I really wanted and I’m so excited. The process has been long due to unforeseen circumstances with the lots in the neighborhood, but satisfactory due to my amazing builder and their willingness to make me happy (bless their hearts).

Lessons learned in 2016:

  • Never leave things unsaid, good or bad. They will eat you alive either way.
  • Never settle, but allow yourself time to celebrate how far you’ve already come.
  • Gratitude journals will change your perspective and perception is most certainly reality.

And my personal favorite and life motto:

  • It is never too late to become what you might have been.

I wish you all a safe and prosperous 2017!

NaNoWriMo is Coming!

Write the story you want to read. I’ve heard that so many times and I think it’s time to start listening. I have six books in various stages of completion and while I love them all, I can’t seem to finish any of them. I should just keep the ideas and start over from scratch – but that’s so many words to just toss. Over 100K words. So.Many.Words. And some of them are really good words. Kill Your Darlings is something I also hear a lot. I’m supposed to be listening now, right?

Here is what I know. I know that I stopped writing because I was immersed in an imaginary world for so long that I almost lost my real one. I know that I didn’t make time to write because I was scared to let my husband out of my sight for fear of what he may do. I know that I have now made peace with that and no longer believe I can keep anyone from doing what they want, no matter how much I hover. I pick up book after book and read some but just lose interest in most, because they aren’t what I need. I need a story that grips me and characters with layers and a romance for the ages. I want pure, I-never-even-saw-him-coming love. I want my stories. So it’s time to write. I’m ready.

NaNoWriMo is coming. I’m going to participate this year and write 50K words of something. I’m not sure what yet. I’m not sure if they will be something that I have worked on in the past or something new – some ‘big magic’ that might hit me on October 31st in true pantser fashion. I don’t know. I just know that it’s time. Life is short. Write the book.

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