Christmastime and Looking Ahead

Photo by: T. Katz Photos

Dear Reader,

It's hard to believe that Christmas has already come and gone. I can tell you I was nowhere near ready for it. With all that has happened this past year, it's sometimes hard to find the joy of the season, but I'm striving to do so. I've had a lot of good moments and a lot of defining moments. As I look to 2018, I am grateful that I faced the challenges I did and walked out stronger on the other side. 

I thought I'd share my top five moment from 2017 with you.  Sometimes it's so easy to look at the negatives, but I strive daily to find the positive and especially earlier this year, it was the only thing that got me through.

1. The Titanic Dinner. I wasn't sure I'd be able to make it since I still had an open wound to contend with, but we made it happen. I have never had so much fun as I did that night.  I'm grateful to my husband and friends (my fellow castmates) for helping me through the evening. 
2. Double Disney Time! The fact that I got to visit the Happiest Place on Earth twice this year.
3. NaNoWriMo. I won my third NaNoWriMo this year with a story I'm pretty excited about. The research has been amazing, and there are certain pieces that seem to be falling in my lap unexpected.
4. Time for School. Watching my little boy head off to K4 and thriving. The best moment for me has been watching him blossom as a reader.
5. Finding my Tribe. The moments of friendship this year have been inspiring and wonderful. Getting to see and hug friends I maybe get to see once a year has made my heart full. I have such a beautiful community around me. My writing tribe, my electus prosapia​, my reenacting friends all have contributed to making my life richer.

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I've made a list of goals for 2018 both in my personal life and writing life. I thought I'd share a some of them with you. 

1. Relearn how to run. I'm finally feeling the call and once winter starts to fade, I'll hit the road.
2. Finish the first draft and polish the story I began for NaNoWriMo. I've got a good start. My plan is to set monthly goals to get this ready for querying.
3. Find ways to take time out for me even if it is only for 15 minute intervals three times a day. Self care is a MUST in 2018!
4. Networking! I want to really get to know people in the writing business as well as readers. I love helping others and meeting new people.
5. Read at least one book a month. It can be fiction or non-fiction. I didn't read nearly as much as I normally do this year. My TBR pile is quite precarious.

So, those are just a few things that I'm planning to work on to better myself mind, body, and spirit. No resolutions, just doing the work. I have a couple more I'm toying with, but five seems a good starting place.

What are your goals for the New Year? I'd love to hear. How do you plan to achieve them?

Till next time...
I'll be seeing you,
Molly

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