Resolutions are great if you can stick to them. For me, by mid January I am back to my old habits. What if I told you that there was a better way to start your year? After reading One Word That Will Change Your Life by Jon Gordon I decided to try it. Each year I pick one word that guides me through the year.
Around the same time, I came across a blog post by Christine Kane. Can A Single Word Really Change Your Life? Christine decided to ditch her New Year’s Resolution and selected one word to guide her for the year. She demonstrated how that one word made a difference in her life. You do not simply choose a word and by magic your life changes, but rather let the energy of the word guide you. Christine provided a short guide help you to find your word using her Discovery tool.
Words Work
My one word for 2022 was GROWTH. My second picture book was published in 2022. I grew my social media followers and increased my book sales. I was able to write several new picture book drafts, and grow as a writer by connecting more with my writing community. For 2023 my word was ACTION. When it comes to submitting queries and manuscripts, I need to take action. It was not easy for me and for most authors to put our work out there. I knew I needed to take Action in the form of learning about queries and the submission process. I enrolled in a course which gave me a better understanding of all things related to submitting to publishers and agents. This gave me the confidence to submit several queries during 2023. Other actions included author events, joining organizations for writers, giving and receiving critiques, classroom visits and more.
My one word for 2024 is TRUST. I need to trust myself as a writer and author and take more writing risks. Trusting myself as a writer, I hope to:
- regularly produce high-quality picture book stories
- concentrate on creating and developing new ideas and solutions to new and existing problems, instead of worrying about whether my writing is good enough
- consider writing as a learning process where I can grow my craft.
- continue to find writing enjoyable and rewarding
How about you? Have you selected your one word ? Need a little help? Check out Christine’s website and find your one word and a better way to start the year.
My wish for you is to have a Happy and Healthy New Year. Here’s to a wonderful 2024!
With gratitude …
I am glad you’re here. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I am grateful that I can share my writing journey with you. It is an endless journey of learning and growing. A journey that I am enjoying.
I am now booking author visits for this school year. If you are a classroom teacher, teacher assistant, Parent Teacher Association President, or After school Director I can work with you to create a visit that will meet the needs of your students. Please contact me to book your visit.
Have you checked out my website. There are surprises everywhere. Click on the balloons and see where they take you. Can you find two writing videos? Freebies? A chocolate chip recipe? There’s even a special freebie to anyone who subscribes to my monthly newsletter. I have a number of FREE resources for children, parents and teachers that librarians and homeschooling families can download and use.
A Call to Action …
Hello! Teachers have you signed up for my FREE read aloud. February 7th is World Read Aloud Day and I will be virtually visiting classrooms and reading my book, Gertie Saves the Day. If you are interested you can connect with me here. I will be sharing more information in my next blog post.
If you have any questions or you would like to share your thoughts about this post, please leave your comments below. Thank you!
