Hello everyone, I hope the new year is treating you well. Strange thing, the New Year. Really, nothing changes, but somehow we feel like the mistakes or unaccomplished goals from last year will happen because it’s a “new year.” Maybe that’s just human nature. Maybe we’re programmed to hope, sometimes beyond hope, that something will change. Maybe completing or surviving the previous year makes us feel like we have a fresh start.
We would do really well to consider what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
“…what if we felt the way we feel about the new year every single day?”
I’m not waiting for 2023 to fix something or accomplish something. The year isn’t bad in itself, but my choices can be. Today is a new day.
I’ve needed to have that exact attitude everyday for the last two months. Between, the very distracting holiday season and an illness it was tough to remain focused. As much as I love the holidays, I also dislike them. Yes, time with family is great and having food is a blessing, but there are also distractions. In fact, I’m still trying to get back into the writing grove. I just had to tell myself that I’m writing every single day, whether I like it or not. My goal is to write between 6-8 hours daily, but right now it’s baby steps and I’m okay with that because every step carries me closer to my goal.
“…every step carries me closer to my goal”
Speaking of writing everyday. I did finish the revision of my WIP about a month ago and sent it off to six people who are proof readers. Let me say, I’m getting some really good feedback. I feel much better about the completed product. It was 35k and now it’s 48k words. I added more detail to the scenery and took the time to further explain a few key scenes.
The only negative comments I had received when the group first read my work was that they wanted more story. As a writer I’ve bought into the idea that less is more. I want any potential readers to have their imagination engaged. While, I stand firmly on that foundation, as a writer, the reader is expecting me to at least give them enough story and details to assist their imagination along the journey and I had failed in that regard.
I’m waiting on feedback from one more person before the novel is sent to a professional editor. Afterwards I’ll attempt traditional publishing again before pursuing self publishing if needed.
I do not have a time frame as to when the work might be available. In fact, I would love to have some sort of timeframe for myself, but it’s not possible. Without, knowing how long editing will take and not having a designated publisher, I can only hope that it’s available in the next six months.
Thank you very much for those of you who have followed my writing journey. I have started the prequel to my WIP. It’s ten chapters and about 12k words so far. It’s called A Picture of the Heart, White Chair and deals with A Picture of the Heart’s protagonist’s journey to faith in Jesus. Once, again it’s an allegory, so it details his coming to faith through adventure.
Excited for all things to come!