Happy New Year

courtesy of: hottytoddy.com

Happy New Year Cowboy Kisses!! I hope you and your family had a blessed and happy holiday season. The hubby, kiddo, and I celebrated in the same fashion as we usually do; Christmas Eve Mass followed by the kiddo rushing down the stairs Christmas morning at 5am. (Hard to believe at 16 he’s still as excited as a 5 year old and promptly springs up from bed when the sun is still sleeping. Most kids his age would hit the snooze button.) Nova, our German shepherd, was right behind him, eager for her stocking of treats. Her excitement begins Christmas Eve when I put the presents beneath the tree. She always looks for her stocking, because she knows it’s filled with something good. So much that I have to shoo her upstairs and put the gate up so she can’t sneak down during the middle of the night.

After a round on the phone calling family in New York and Australia, our dinner was Italian, same as years past. The kiddo opted out of chicken parmigiana this time around and asked for lasagna. We shared our meal with friends who are more like family and enjoyed a quiet evening together. And then, within a blink of an eye, New Year’s Eve arrived. Firecrackers and fireworks echoed around the neighborhood, and in the light of day, it was time to put away the Christmas decorations and embrace 2016.

Nova guarding her stocking

While I was packing boxes, my mind wandered toward my career. Mentally, I made a list of what I accomplished the previous year and another list of what I hope to accomplish this year. Goals, whether long-term or short-term, are important to me. They keep me grounded in day-to-day chores and writing and give me something to aspire toward during the latter part of the year. I now have lists for events scheduled or that need scheduling during the year and items to research and master. A new story is formulating in the back of my mind, and soon I’ll be fleshing out characters and settings. The overall plot and scenes for the story are things I write from the seat-of-my-pants. I’ve tried outlining, but have found I never stick to it.

courtesy of:

www.runmum.com

Two things I can say about drafting goals and ‘to do’ lists; if a chore is written down, I won’t forget to do it. If it’s not on my list, chances are good it won’t get done. Better yet, I’m likely to not even remember the matter. Second, crossing off a completed task gives me a feeling of accomplishment. Whether it’s mopping the floor or writing a chapter, I take pride in knowing my day was a success. I loathe the feeling of ‘a wasted day’, because then I tend to panic and scold myself for having wallowed away hours playing solitaire due to the fact my muse was in a fog.

Whether you’re considering beginning a writing career or a seasoned veteran, begin 2016 with your own ‘to-do’ lists. They are a great way to keep you organized and motivated, and help to structure a daily writing routine.