Bring on the New Year! I Think I'm Ready.

December 29, 2009

The end of a year. Twelve very long months.
The end of a draft in less than 2 months. Attached "THE END" on the last page of Deadly Retreat with 111K on Christmas Eve.
I quit making resolutions years ago.
I do better at my age just getting as much stuff done in the year as I can possibly do. If I don't? We'll, if I'm lucky, I'll have another year to try.
I do have a to-do list, of sorts.
In two years I've written 3 novels, and completed 1 new draft.
My hubby nearly died in March. If he can suffer through dialysis, he has a good chance of another year.
In the fall, Hubby brought me a 4 week old abandoned kitty from the farm. He lost his earthly battle just 4 days later.
Two weeks after Rosy went to the Rainbow Bridge, a friend brought me another kitty. She was 12 weeks old and it only took 3 days for Gretchen to accept Sophie into our family. She's growing like a weed, is healthy, active and smart as a whip.
I was well enough this year to put up Christmas decorations.
Then I got the cold of the century and may have some trouble taking down the Christmas decorations. If I didn't need the space the tree takes up I'd just leave things up until next Christmas.
I've read good books,
Good poetry,
Even tried my hand at some prose myself.
Enjoyed another year with good friends.
We even had 4 inches of snow a few days ago. Not exactly a White Christmas, but close enough.
My children and their children are all doing well—head-butting life as hard as they can.

My to-do list?
Polish 3 novels.
Begin revisions on my latest draft.
Begin again traveling the road of finding a publisher/agent who would be interested in my work.
Draft two more novels.
Write lots of short stories and some prose.
Pick up a watercolor paintbrush and create some new art. The old paintings in my living room are faded and yellowed.
I'm dying to work on oils again, too.
I've got a ton of books on my shelves yet to read. I want to read as many as I can this year so I can warrant buying new books.
Improve my word building skills.
Fix the spiritually lacking self that's been hanging out in my body lately.

These are not resolutions. If I can strike off just one of the things on my 2010 to-do list, I will feel satisfied.

Happy New Year.
And happy beginning of a new decade.

P.S. and get back into the swing of blogging again. I almost gave up this year.

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a really nice holiday and stays safe in their travels. Hubby and I stayed home this year. We're still kind of contagious with our colds. Plus, just feeling plain icky. I think between the two of us we've gone through about ten boxes of Kleenex.

I'm near the end of the draft for Deadly Retreat. I'm hoping to get the epilogue at least started tonight. I'm torn between doing nothing and reading a book or getting busy and finishing the draft. I'm pleased with the word count, and I'm now looking forward to the next book in the series, and I've already picked the title.

I think the shortest amount of time it's taken me to complete a first draft was about three months--and that was years ago. This time I've finished in less than two. Well nearly...I still have to write the epilogue. I opted for an epilogue this time, since it's basically about tying up loose ends.

I'm grateful for another year, and have hope for a bit of smoother sailing for the coming one. I've still got a lot of work ahead of me, searching for a publisher or agent for Bubba and Bean and Murder at Mallard River Bend. I'll also be revising Deadly Retreat, and I'd like to free up some brain cells to write a few short stories, too.

Merry Christmas all, y'all. You's guys, and folks.

Checking In

I'm still working on the Deadly Retreat draft. I'm nearing the end. About four more chapters, and I think ought to wrap it up. I'm hoping by the weekend, but not pushing myself. I still make the effort to write around 2,000 words each day. Right now I'm sick with a miserable cold, so I'm a little less enthusiastic.

I did manage to get some decorations up before I got sick. The kitties, Gretchen and Sophie, are enjoying the place reserved for them under the little, 4 foot Walgreens tree. It's pre-lighted and I enjoy it much better. I'm finally beyond fighting with lights and space to put up a big tree. It's going to be a quiet Christmas, which I'm looking forward to. Christmas shopping hasn't happened yet, but the Christmas cards are finally done. For a while, I was thinking about skipping the card event this year, but then realized I can't. The cards are my own creation, therefore, becoming a sort of gift for my family and friends.

I'm looking forward to being finished with my WIP and making more time to blog. Once I'm on a big project like this, my puny brain doesn't have the room for extra creativity.