Monday, December 26, 2011

A Writer's Christmas

I hope everyone had a terrific Christmas.  I'm exhausted from all the fun, games, food,(preparation and eating), staying up late catching up with everyone and non-stop cleaning up after everything and everyone.  In other words, it was wonderful.

But now it's the day after and time to make plans for the coming year.  A few changes I've incorporated already into my writing life I intend to keep.  For the last few months, I have stuck to my plan to exercise at least thirty minutes a day, five or more times per week.  I'm going to keep that up, for lots of reasons.  The second thing I've been doing lately is reading more.  I will keep that going.  I have a stack of books from the library I'm attacking at a steady pace of about one or two per week.  In between those two things plus my day job and my family, I'm concentrating on my writing. 

My wonderful family gave me some assistance in my plans.  My youngest son gifted me with an iTunes gift card to update some of my running music. I've been working out to the same songs for a few months so hopefully the new tunes will keep the old legs moving, maybe even a little faster.  My second son bought me a leather bound journal so beautiful I don't know if I can bring myself to write on its lovely pages.  My daughter bought me a multi-disk set of old John Wayne movies.  What better background for writing my fantasy novels filled with action and heroes?  My oldest son bought me a candle for in my office and a bottle of expensive amaretto to help me through editing.  My husband, bless him, bought me a BAM gift card.  There are so many things I can use that for, I don't know where to start.

So this next year, I'm going to strive for balance with family, my health and the advancement of my writing career.  How about you? Planning on more of the same?  Keeping what's working or changing things up?

9 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sounds like some great gifts! Gotta love those iTunes cards.

The Happy Whisk said...

What is a BAM gift card?

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Hey, Ivy, a BAM is a Books a Million gift card.
I do love those iTunes card, Alex. Now I have to decide what to buy from the seemingly infinite choices.

Unknown said...

It seems we have similar goals for the upcomming year. Family is my priority, and I also intend to get into shape. I look forward to seeing how your goals pan out. Wishing you the best this 2012

jan said...

I recieved one of those exquisite leather bound journals a couple of years ago, too. Haven't written a word in it yet, either. Why??

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Keeping some. Changing some. Kife is always like that, isn't it?

Golden Eagle said...

Changing some things around . . . and keeping others the same. At least, that's the plan.

Sounds like you had a great Christmas!

Anonymous said...

This is pretty much my agenda; a balanced life. Health will be a big priority as its easy to eat bad food and lack exercise as a writer sitting much of the day. Good luck to you!

Cate Masters said...

Balance sounds good to me. Kudos to you for exercising. Wish we lived closer, I'd love to have a partner to keep me on track!
Haven't yet made it to a Books A Million store - I didn't realize they carry lots of other items besides books.
Besides family, reading and writing are also my priorities. Wishing you much success this coming year!