Happy New Year’s Eve

Memories or Mysteries for 2019

Well, here we are. Another year dissolves as we gather together on the last day of 2018. This year has been a tumultuous one for the world, our country, and most of us personally. Because of the year’s upheaval, I stepped back and took a long look at how I approached each new year. I would make the expected and proverbial “resolutions” and then watch as they died during the year. Usually forgotten, mostly abandoned, often supplanted by other ideas. My approach never worked. 

Then I learned to stop making resolutions. Instead, about a decade ago I decided to make GOALS. These didn’t have to have timelines like “Lose 10 lbs a month.” What a goal did was to help me identify projects and then I established timelines to meet those projects based on my personal abilities. I began to succeed. Just look at my published resume. But my personal resume didn’t seem as successful. 

I learned that having goals wasn’t enough. I needed a way to channel my energy. Some way to help direct my thoughts. One year it was POWER. One year it was INSPIRATION. The better the word, the more I felt purpose, the harder I worked on my goals.

Basically I learned from my life that with every New Year’s Eve I had a choice. Either I could spend my tine evaluating the past, looking back and trying to fix what I didn’t do, or where I didn’t go, or meet the people I neglected. OR I could face forward and approach the future without expectations and with goals in hand. Yes, the future would be an unknown but if I prepared with a strong word and good goals, I could meet any challenge.

That’s the key. Do you spend your time looking back or looking forward? Looking back is the Road of Memories. Looking forward is the Road of Mysteries. 

I’m choosing Mystery. 

And my word for this year? FOCUS. I’m focusing on my personal self. As I’ve already said in my last Fireside chat (you can watch it here), my first priority will be me. I need to get healthy and the first part of that word is HEAL. So I will work to heal the parts of me that are aching (a bad knee and surgical recovery). And once I heal then I start my road to being healthy. I’m not going to say “lose x pounds” because I’m going to lose weight by opting to change my life to be healthier. The rest takes care of itself. 

See how it works? No more self-stress or self-imposed resolutions. No more setting self up for failure. Now I will succeed because health and healing come first. As long as I FOCUS, that will happen and my personal self will improve. Hint: Write it down and leave it for yourself in every room. Put it on the fridge, in the writing room, in the bathroom, on your nightstand, in your purse or attached to your laptop. Let the word become your mantra for the year and become it. This really WILL help you!

Professionally, I have three key projects for the year. I’m dedicated to them. If more are possible, then great! But I have my FOCUS and my GOALS and I’m surging ahead with them in mind. The mystery of “COMING SOON” will carry me through to completion. Excited yet?  More on those soon!

I welcome the mystery of what completion of my goals will bring to me. And I’m not going to worry if people don’t agree, do more, do less, approve or disapprove. The only thing that matters is that I stay true to my course and am happy with my personal success.

That’s what I recommend for you – a word to channel your energies. And goals without unrealistic stress.

To that end, I hope we will be together during the next year. I hope you will join me on this mysterious journey called Life. Remember to sign up for my newsletter and join my Evening Bower Fan/Readers group. I am doing giveaways and telling secrets ONLY to those two groups for now.

Here’s to a Joyous and Productive, personally satisfying New Year! Thank you! And I’ll see you somewhere Between the Lines…

Sherry

Over the next four Mondays before Christmas, I will be writing some small letters to Santa. In each letter I will express my gratitude, and make my wishes known. Here is my first letter, a big one from the heart:

P.S. no promotional links provided during these thank yous.

Bless You, MENTORSDear Santa,

I’m not sure where to begin this year. So much has happened; so many blessings. Let me begin with gratitude and say thanks for what have been my blessings. First let me give thanks to those who have been my mentors, people who guided me, sometimes not so gently, but always with compassion and concern that I become the best I can be. I am a continuing work in progress but there are people to whom I owe much:

Mary Deal, award-winning and bestselling author, award-winning photographer and painter, editor and explorer. I met her online in 1997 and she’s been a guidepost and an inspiration ever since. She helped me expand my poetry, and to find deeper meanings in my words. She led me into new light. She believed in me.

Judy Mallow-Gripton, author, editor, teacher and so much more. She taught me the difference between AP and CS. Served me well and I got jobs because of this understanding. She taught me how to do serial fiction. She gave me my first serialized column (lessons on poetry) and turned me into an editor.

Joel Friedlander, the man who knows a bit of everything about the publishing business. Right now I’m speaking about book covers: what defines a genre, what colors are taboo, all about fonts and readability. The list is endless. He is the god among the designers for me. And speaking of designers:   Sean Foley, Travis Miles, Robin Johnson, and Marisa-rose Wesley, my cover designers should be rewarded. Each taught me something about designing and covers and style. I’m learning more every day but these people put me on the path. As a result, my collaboration with these designers and their incredible talent, has brought numerous awards. Be good to them, Santa.

Interiors are important to books, too. Until recently, I didn’t know what creative book interiors looked like or even that they existed. Thank you Cassy Roop! And she patiently corrects me, explains concepts and teaches me with every new book she formats. These too, win awards. And I continue to be a student.

Teachers of the business are everywhere but a few others whispered in my ear, without mockery. I am filled with appreciation every day for those who came with me at the beginning. They have moved well beyond me, yet they never look down at me. And when I needed friends or advice, or a shoulder, they were there. This goes out to the #FLINKS: Robbie Cox, Margie Miklas, Taylor Fulks, Pam L’Heureux, Jackie Birdsong, Ginger Myrick, Lidia Doweyko, and Stephanie Michele.  Other strong voices in the dark include Elaine Calloway, Sarah Olsen, Terri Wilson, and Patricia Terrell.

People who can push you to do more than you might have dared because they believe that what you do matters, are rare. This mentor did that for me, fully realizing what the leap of faith meant. She taught me to dare to speak my truth. I did and I’ve never regretted it. Rachel Thompson. Be especially kind to her, Santa. The scars never truly heal. And to Sharon Jones Frizzell,  who knew me at my worst and never doubted I had “a better” in me. The lessons I learned from her helped me become the writer I am.

Retired Colonel (USAF) Stanley G. Maratos gave me three lessons for life. I’ve never forgotten them, have passed them to many and he probably has no idea how much his wisdom changed my life for the better. He’s over 80 years now and Santa, be kind to him for me. I give you his lessons now: 1. Fortune favors the bold. 2. Never trouble trouble. 3. Let right be done, no matter what.

Now for some mentors who died, yet their impact stays with me always:  Mrs. Dorothy Wise, English Teacher – she taught me about the depth of words and pushed my poetry. Mrs. Dolores Jean Ellis, choir teacher and friend who sat with me on tour one night and changed my life as we talked about love and the power of heart. And when I needed a coach for a competition while overseas, she delivered without question (and it was 6 years since I had seen her). And Mr. Roger Bishop, a civil servant who was as much a father to me as my own when it came to advise and support. He believed in my upcoming marriage to my husband when few did and he was quick to tell me how to live better.

Those are the mentors, Santa. I have friends and collegues who I will write you about but today my wish for them is health, joy, and success. May they have blessings to fill their lives for the kindness and impact they gave to my life. I am grateful for these people, every single day. I hope others bless their mentors and let them know how appreciated they are, too.

Another letter next week, Santa. Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and yours,

I remain, Yours Between the Lines,

Sherry

Welcome to the Midpoint National Novel Writing Month

A personal letter to every participating WriMo,

3…2…1…you lifted off on 1 Nov 2018 for a writing journey that is unlike any other. First time doing the National Novel Writing Month? Feeling a little lost? Long time writer but wondering, “now what?” As you stare at your journal or computer….

Imagine what it was like for the first Apollo astronauts on their way to the moon. How exciting the liftoff was, how nervous they were with all the hype, how there was so much to do in the beginning and then —

Then they managed to get halfway to the moon, and it was dark and cold and the excitement was there but doubts and worry snuck into their dreams. What were they doing? How did they think they could do this amazing thing? What if they failed? What waited for them when they got to the moon? The questions filled their minds and maybe they were just a little bit afraid of the dark, of the unknown, and even of themselves.

This is how it may go for some writers when they hit the middle of NaNoWriMo–it is dark and cold and unknown. Doubts have set in, excitement has waned and now becomes more work than fun. And there is wonder about what they are doing, if it is even worth it, if the story matters, if they can finish, and so on. It is like being in the great vacuum of space, dark and cold.

I’m here to tell you that the mid-point of the month is called a lot of things by lots of authors (my favorite is Jim Butcher’s the Great Swampy Middle), but overall it is the same for everyone. Doubts and fear create a bit of nervous uncertainty as the shiny glow of the month wears off. What now, you ask? Here’s a little advice from a WriMo veteran.

   –First, Trust Yourself. You had a plan, even if you are pantsing it. You have tales to tell. So keep telling them.

   –Next, Focus. Don’t deviate from your path. Imagine what would have happened to the space program if the astronauts chickened out? So whether you are in the middle age, middle of the book, middle of a race, keep focused. Otherwise you will veer off course and lose your way like so many before you.

   –Then, Understand. The middle is necessary. Nothing is achieved by starting and finishing without something in the middle. The astronauts probably felt tension and nervousness. They expected it and didn’t fear it. So it must be for you. Let your characters feel this uncertainty but don’t you fear it.

   –Finally, Believe. Don’t make excuses. Don’t look for a way out. The best way is always through according to Robert Frost. Like those astronauts, you need to steer straight ahead. When you believe you can, you will. Eventually the distance to the moon closed and suddenly the astronauts were there and winging their way back home. Climax and ending.

You signed on for a cosmic journey this year, becoming your own astronaut in an adventure of literary and personal exploration. I have every faith that you can succeed. Believe in yourself and your project and you will be splashing back down to Earth in two weeks, beginning with one heck of a tale to tell about your journey. And that tale is one we are all hoping to read.

It all began with 50,000 words.

Today you’re hitting around 20,000 or maybe you’ve done a slingshot around the moon and are cruising at over 25,000. Even if you’re floating at 15,000, great work! I believe you can do it. The astronauts believed and look how far we went: Apollo, Space Shuttle, Space Station. Let this small cold moment in the middle of space be the momentum for your amazing finish! Next stop, Mars!

The midpoint? The name is only a marker. Like saying the cup is half full. We both know you are going to finish now. You’ve come this far, seen the dark side of the moon and now you turn your face to the home. Your Earth. Good luck explorers. I can’t wait to read about your adventures.

Hang on tight! The Earth’s gravity is pulling you back and your trip is almost over. You can do it!

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Next time we meet here, let’s talk turkey…and gratitude. Thank you!

Yours Between the Lines,

Sherry