My One Word for 2018

Happy New Year!

It’s resolution time again, and as usual I am tempted to commit to way too much. How easy it is to be unrealistic!

Having a one-word goal keeps things simple for me. I focus on the big picture.

For 2014, my word was READY. I wanted success as a writer, but was I ready for it? Uh, no. So I worked on that.

For 2015, I chose ENGAGE. I needed to step out and join the conversation with social media. In spite of health setbacks, I made progress.

For 2016, I took on BUY IN. It was time to put money into my writing. I finished, formatted, and indie-published Darcy By Any Other Name.

Photo: HotBlack (Morguefile)

For 2017, my word was RELENTLESS.  How did it play out? A  challenging teaching year merged into the summer months, as I walked my sweet Mom through brain surgery, convalescence, hospice, and her homegoing to Jesus. By God’s grace, I learned that doing the right thing each day is difficult, but also powerful. My summer was unproductive, but I have no regrets.

On the writing front, I somehow managed to write a novella for November’s  A Very Austen Christmas.  In December, I stepped up and re-released (as indies) my first two Mercy’s Embrace books.

My word for 2018 is SOAR. I need to be flapping my “writerly wings” furiously so that I don’t lose this hard-won momentum. One new novel, one new novella — big goals. Marathon goals.

I must fly high and fly far — like the eagle. So this year I’ll be learning to ride the thermals. The final Mercy’s Embrace book is just about ready to go. What a way to begin a new year — with a book release!

Thank you, my friend, for your encouragement, for being (as the song says) “the wind beneath my wings.” Thank you, too, for being someone I can write for, not only here on this blog, but also with my books. Casting words into the howling wilderness of empty cyberspace is scary. You make it less so. That means a lot.

Now then, would you like to choose a word for 2018? Check out MyOneWord.org for ideas.