Welcome to 2023! Yes, yes, I know I’m a little late to this party, but if you’ll remember from my last blog post in mid-December, I slipped on some snow, fell, and broke both of my wrists. My arms are still in casts, so this post is going to be short, I’m afraid—it hurts to type for too long. But I did want you to know that I haven’t forgotten about you and while I sit here with my arms resting on ice-packs, I’m mentally compiling a list of blogs to write this coming year.
Every year, at the start of the year, I do two things: I write a list of three goals, three hopes, and three dreams (goals being something that is achievable, hopes are something that take more effort to achieve, and dreams are things that are pie-in-the sky sorts of things); and I choose a word for the year.
This year my goals include writing three books and a novella, doing better with marketing and getting reviews for my books, and a personal item. My hopes are to sell more books than I did last year, gain more coaching clients, and another person thing. And my dreams include making top lists at Amazon (as of right now, the USA Today list is defunct, sadly).
My word for this year is Organize. Last year I moved six times (the first time from Kyiv to Vienna and then from apartment to apartment within that city). All that moving unsurprisingly created a lot of chaos—physically and emotionally—which impacted my life and my work. This coming year I plan on moving once—from Vienna back to the US, which I’ll do in the Spring. After that, I hope to stay put for quite a long while. So, 2023, I’m hoping, will be a year of calm… boredom, even. I hope to take advantage of that to reorganize my life and get my work well organized, too.
So, what about you, dear friends? Do you make a list of goals, hopes, and dreams? Do you have a word for the year? I’d be honored if you’d share.
Now, that’s authorial determination.
My writing goals for this year are: to finish and publish The Golden Hills; to learn how and then record at least The Moving Frontier; and to venture into a collaboration with my husband to produce a history/science fiction hybrid–story or book. We’re talking about that one.
I’m so glad you’re on the road to being able to key again. This must have been a terribly difficult month and you’ve obviously weathered it well. It’s wonderful that you’ll have some time, more settled, back here.
You have a beautiful spirit, Merry! It permeates your books and your characters. Thank you for sharing that beauty. 🌻📚
Ooooh, what fabulous goals, Carolyn! The book your planning with your husband sounds fascinating. And best of luck with your recording! Thank you so much for your support, Carolyn, it really means a lot to me!