Reflect and Redirect

(Picture found on Pinterest - credit unknown)

Here we are, four days into January, and all that Christmas fuss is out of the way for another year (I know, I know, I'm such a bah humbug - but that's just how I roll) - and while I do hate to follow the crowd (as one of my besties rightly says, 'Be a goat not a sheep' - thanks, Zoe!), it really does feel like the time to reflect and redirect. (Oh, my bah humbug-self does hope you had a good Christmas and New Year, by the way!)

Reflection: 2014 Pats-on-the-Back

• Craft continued - shared over making cards and scrapbook pages, and sewing a footstool, toaster cover and a phone charger bag.
• Cupcake baking begun and, if I do say so myself (!), aced:

• Ebony welcomed home and settled in:

• 44 books read - while writing...
• 70, 295 words of Novel Number Two (that's 70,295 words everybody - whoop, whoop!) - which equates to 15 chapters (and, when added to 2013's chapters, makes 32 completed ones...)

Redirection: 2015 Get-Goings

• Admit I need to rest and relax when I get in from work, BUT don't slump in front of the TV all evening...
• ...so, at 9 p.m., used my second-wind (I'm a definite owl, you see, not a lark) to get an hour or two of writing/planning/crafting done.
• Continue crafting, sewing and baking.
• Finish the two chapters-on-the-go by the end of this week (Sunday 11th). Achieved by Sat 10th!
• Write the (estimated) remaining 5 chapters by the end of February, which will complete the entire first draft.
• Leave Novel Number Two ALONE for 3 months...
• ...and do other things!
• Begin editing NNT after these 3 months, so (hopefully!) from 1st June.
• Research agents to submit to.
• Write covering letter and synopsis.
• Submit by the end of summer/beginning autumn.
• Start the next book...!

I could (probably should!) add in 'Go for a walk every day', 'Lose the million of stones you're overweight by' and 'Actually get your hair trimmed every three months' - but I know I won't do any of these, and pressuring myself will only make me dour and doubtful. Much better, instead, to focus on making the most of what I can do, and leave room for a little spontaneity (which may turn in to walking, dieting or hair consideration...well, I can try for optimism too, right?!)

Whatever reflections and redirections you have, I wish you all the best with them.

~ ttfn ~