Emily decides to go with the flow

Tip of the Day: hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year!

For the past two years the new year has felt like a new beginning. Big things seemed to be in store; so much so that I could almost feel it in my bones. The anticipation of the year kicked off in January with a bang. At the time, I had thought some of it might be writing related. But in actuality much of it had to do with changes in my personal life, two big moves, a new job, turning the big 3-0, and lots of other fun stuff.

But this year? To be honest, I kind of didn’t realize it was the New Year. Sure I watched the ball drop in Time Square on TV like I do every year, but this year hasn’t really felt different at all yet. It is only January 4. So maybe this year has just been slow to start. We’ll see.

I’ve never been one to make formal New Year’s resolutions, mainly because in my personal life I’m not much of a planner. Instead, I’ve had things I’d like to accomplish throughout the year and a general game plan in the back of my head of how to get there. Writing-wise I might even have a general to-do list, but not really formal resolutions. This year is no exception.

I love Kate’s idea of having a word for the year. Going off of the only word I can think of for the year is to go with the flow. So I guess that’s four words for me this year.

I’d love to finally finish one of the books I’ve been working on and actually submit it. I don’t even want to look at the calendar and try to figure out how long it’s been since I’ve submitting anything to agents (definitely haven’t lived up to my Miss Querylicious name in the past two years). Writing has definitely taken a back seat in my life while I’m pursuing other hobbies and furthering my other career. However, it’s still important to me, and for that reason I would like to move forward a little this year. Continue to grow in my writing and continue to find enjoyment out of it.

I also wish for world peace and a wonderful vacation this year, but somehow I don’t think resolutions are supposed to work like wishes (or are they?).

But I guess that’s the fun part of starting a new year, in that you have the choice to do whatever you want and put the work in to make your dreams become a reality.

I love that with life you often aren’t finished with anything and how often the journey is just as important as the destination. When I started writing five years ago (wow, has it been that long?), I never imagined I would still be writing just for the fun of it, with no book contract or anything. It’s not how I would have planned it, but it’s been a fun journey nonetheless and I wouldn’t change it. Otherwise it wouldn’t be my journey.

Good luck in the new year to all of those with resolutions, goals to accomplish, books to write, and for those of us just going with the flow and trying to find enjoyment out of life.

Emily, Miss "To Be Determined"