I hope you have all had a wonderful start to 2018. This coming year excites me more than others because I have challenged myself to complete certain tasks. Understanding the new year won’t magically make things happen the way we want is a given but a new year does remind us that time is passing. In turn urgency is created not to waste opportunities especially as we get older. I certainly don’t want to miss any. #grabopportunities
Whatever our individual aims, we all share the same obstacles – ourselves and our thinking. I touched on this very subject in a post last year when I discussed comparisons. At the risk of repetition comparisons are deadly. Theodore Roosevelt said that “Comparison is the thief of joy” and I would add it is a sad waste of energy. If I am to look at what others are doing or achieving it has to be with learning in mind, not comparisons. I need to think about what is possible for me. #nomakingcomparisons
Last year I set myself a goal of 160 books to read in the Goodreads Reading Challenge. It was both, fun and research and helped cement what I enjoy when I read. For me it is always the connection the reader makes. Although there may be flaws, connection to the character and their ordeal makes time fly. By the way I made it to 246 books and though I think I may have overdone things just a tiny bit I can’t help a certain pride in being able to balance life with what I love. #lovereading
I‘ve set the same reading goal along with others, the maintenance of this blog being one and a priority. Writing books is a passion needing complete focus and time, lots of time. Blogging is writing practice with immediate gratification when people like or comment. I don’t get a lot but enough to keep me going and I am determined to wear you all down so eventually more will write to me. Hey, I’m not proud, I’d settle for hello. Trust me; you will have me at hello. #loveblogging #please comment
Completing the second novel of my serie
s features highly on the list of things to do. Feedback is essential if Unexpected Passion is to be an improvement on my previous book Unexpected Obsession. Writing is about readers and as a reader I want to enjoy what I read. Just recently I read Wicked Intentions by J.T. Geissinger and couldn’t put it down. I loved the action and the plot but the main character was just so lovely it made me sigh in sad delight. Delight because he was so appealing, sadness because I finished the book but more because I recognised I need to work harder and need feedback to guide me.
Elle Kaplan may have been talking about employers and their employees in an article in Thrive Global but it wasn’t hard to apply this same concept to writers and readers. “As a leader, it’s difficult to really know what your employees are thinking about, what’s troubling them or how to help them get out of a performance slump –unless you take the time listen to them.” A writer’s work is a business. Like an employer/leader, a business or campaign will not succeed if the employees/followers are not happy because their voices are not acknowledged. We all need to be listened to. A writer can only hear what is being said through reviews and comments. I can’t control this but I can stay positive. #reviewsneededplease
Mind you all the desire in the world won’t stop the procrastination (in a multitude of disguises) that lies in wait ready to undermine achievement including this post I have been working on all day. So many interruptions can occur and all of them have their very own brand of convincing arguments to claim our attention. For example it would be too easy to step away from the novels because I need feedback. Elle says when “Tomorrow Syndrome starts to rear its ugly head, it’s easy to get caught up in its effects and delay projects till the last millisecond. Before you know it, procrastination can cause looming deadlines to snowball, and destroy productivity and motivation in the process.” #today
If my determination stays strong my second book will be followed by Unexpected Christmas Gathering just before Christmas 2018. It has to be because of some very special plans for the next holiday season. I know, big ambitions, but setting the bar high is good for us. The real problem lies in keeping a balance with everything else (you know – life). I love writing but this year I would like to incorporate more into my life from seeing my grandchildren to travel, and maybe further study. Tricky problems but as I said this New Year excites me so a means will be found. #keepingexcited
As Oprah Winfrey once said, “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher” and you will rise to the occasion. I’m counting on it. What have you got planned?
Let me know,
Alla prossima
Barb