Welcome to another installment of the Round Robin Blog Fest!
This month's topic: What are one (or
two) writing projects you want to accomplish this year? What will be any
obstacles you might encounter?
This year I have two
books on my schedule. The first is for a new book in the Danger Cove series by
Gemma Halliday Publishing. My book is called Steeped in Trouble about a quaint
tea house in Danger Cove and a woman who has recently divorced her philandering
husband and battled cancer. She's looking for a fresh start and ends up with so
much more.
The second book is the
fourth in my Wild Blue Mystery series from Books We Love Ltd., The Painted Lady. I've had to set this
series aside for a while to focus on another series, but Katie, Lucy and the
gang will be back for another mystery set in Packham.
Obstacles? Yup, there
are a few right now!
2015 was a long, crazy
year for me. Between health issues, losing the job I enjoyed, and my marriage
breaking down until hubby and I separated and he moved to the southern US right
after Christmas for a new job. My writing suffered. My sanity suffered. My
health suffered. I took a temporary job to make some money while I figure out
what I want to do with my life now that things have flipped over completely.
Since I still have 2 teenagers at home and an older son who lives away from
home, life is extra busy with activities and their jobs. Just keeping track of
our schedules is a full-time job!
January is my time for
a deep breath and getting back on track.
Health: I am looking for answers as to why I am in
constant pain and what will give me relief - besides a big glass of wine now
and then! While I can no longer go on
long walks in the woods, I can do easy yoga and aquafit. I can find ways to
relax and declutter my environment as well as cleaning up my diet and losing a
few pounds.
Job: I took a temporary
job at a fast food place just because they're the only people who called me
back when I applied all over the place. If I'd been smart, I would have taken a
month or so off to just screw my head back on straight, but I was pushed by
outside forces to "get a real job" and "take care of
things." Unfortunately, those things didn't include ME. Mentally and
physically, I need a job that has far less stress and I don't have to be on my
feet moving and lifting for 8 hours a day. I'm off to the employment center to
narrow down my search criteria and do what I want to do.
Romance: I have a new love. ME. I need to take care of
me the way I want to be taken care of. Making time to write, hang out with
friends, and exercise are all a part of that. There's a great song right now
called "Cheerleader" by Omi. My favorite lyrics from the song are the
chorus:
Oh I think that I found myself a cheerleader
She is always right there when I need her
She is always right there when I need her
I used to think I
needed someone else to be my cheerleader. Now I realize, I have to be my own
cheerleader. I am the only one right there when I need someone. Including with my writing. I need to clean up my work
environment, bring my books and manuscripts out of the closet (literally) and
into the open, and be my own cheerleader and manager.
No matter what
direction my life takes in this New Year, I need to be my own best friend and
take care of me.
And I need to get to
work on those books!
Diane
Please drop by to find out what obstacles my fellow Round Robin writers are dealing with!
Victoria Chatham http://victoriachatham.blogspot.ca
Margaret Fieland http://www.margaretfieland.com/blog1/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Connie Vines http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Bob Rich http://wp.me/p3Xihq-Bm
Rachael Kosinski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Kay Sisk http://kaysisk.blogspot.com
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Hollie Glover http://www.hollieglover.co.uk
Helena Fairfax http://helenafairfax.com/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/
Margaret Fieland http://www.margaretfieland.com/blog1/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Connie Vines http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Bob Rich http://wp.me/p3Xihq-Bm
Rachael Kosinski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Kay Sisk http://kaysisk.blogspot.com
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Hollie Glover http://www.hollieglover.co.uk
Helena Fairfax http://helenafairfax.com/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/
You are a brave women, Diane, and I'm glad to hear you are beginning to overcome some of your adversities. I hope you discover your health problem, but I'm absolutely sure you will keep writing and being published. Here's to a good, no great, 2016!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rhobin!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you finally found that cheerleader. And you're putting yourself first and taking care of you. that's so important. I hope you get healthy and have a great year. Good luck with the books.
ReplyDeleteYou are one tough lady Diane. You have the drive and determination to overcome all your obstacles. Good for you for being your own cheerleader, something most busy mums forget to be. I equate it to flying - when they run through the safety checks, they always tell you to put your own oxygen mask on before helping anyone else.
ReplyDeleteConsidering how 2015 went for you, then 2016 has just got to be better. Consider it a new adventure - approach it with optimism and Huzzah for taking care of YOU.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, goodness what a tough year you've had. I wish you all the best for a better outlook through 2016, Anne
ReplyDelete