This cartoon made me smile. It is one thing to look forward to the New Year, to plan and hope and dream, but then we need to put those things aside and live. It is time to convert plans to actions and grab hold of the opportunity each day presents.

Some days the opportunity may seem small or boring, but they shouldn’t be overlooked.  Maybe today is the day to launch a new habit or write a few hundred words. Don’t put it off.

What opportunity are you exploring today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Happy New Year! Are you excited to see 2019? I know I am. I created my list and made audacious plans. Today we take the first step of our journey. I don’t know if I can achieve everything on my list, but I am working the theory I can do more.

What are your plans for the New Year? Are you playing it safe, or are you pulling out all the stops and going for broke?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

On the Eve of the New Year, we look back on what has passed. We hold tight to the golden memories and bid farewell to the rest. We toast to the future, to friends, and to family both far and near and we wish each other the best for the coming New Year.

Happy New Year.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Children learn by playing. We, adults, put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect, to succeed, and win the race to the finish line. We forget we need to play too. We need to allow ourselves time to experiment, to have fun, and to make mistakes. Taking risk pushes us to new adventures.

While you are planning your goals for the New Year remember to allow yourself time to experiment and take risks. You may stumble on something that will change your life.

What risks are you willing to take in 2019?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

It is great fun coming up with your New Year Resolutions, but it is also the easy part. Step 2, putting it in writing, is harder.  Setting goals requires setting milestones and planning specific details. Details that need to be broken into monthly, weekly, daily and hourly goals. It is work to break your big, audacious goal into bite-size tasty treats. How else do you eat an elephant?

This week I set goals, planned milestones, and scheduled my daily details for 2019.

What do your goals look like for next year?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I want to be Holly Lisle. My goal is to finish writing a book and publish in 2019. Sounds huge, doesn’t it? Or maybe I am letting my shoulder devil speak too loudly. I can no longer listen to the devil. Instead, I am defying words of caution and heading where I have never been. I concocted a half-baked plan, stirred up a healthy dose of determination and know 2019 is my year.

I am audacious, shooting for stars. As Emily says:

We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise;
And then, if we are true to plan,
Our statures touch the skies—

The Heroism we recite
Would be a daily thing,
Did not ourselves the Cubits warp
For fear to be a King—

Emily Dickinson, 1830 – 1886

What is your 2019 audacious goal?
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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The year is swiftly ending. It is time to reflect and consider what we want for 2019. We are predictable types. The most common New Year Resolutions are:

1. Exercise
2. Lose Weight/Eat Healthy
3. Get Organized
4. Get a New Job/Hobby/Skill
5. Live a Fulfilling Life/Find Love
6. Save Money
7. Quit Smoking
8. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
9. Travel More
10. Read More

If you are a writer… Write More, is defiantly in the mix. Whatever you proclaim as your resolution for 2019, Keep Happy. I think Helen Keller got this one right.

Are you making New Year Resolutions? What are your top three?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I received the best present for Christmas. It is one I know I will use daily in the coming New Year. These are the things every writer wishes for and needs.

A steady flow of Creative Juice is useful in getting a project started, developing character arcs and filling in pesky plot holes.

Finishing Tonic is an often-overlooked necessity. Although it is very pricey, it is worth every penny. There is no greater satisfaction than seeing your masterpiece finished.

Edit Elixir is used to sooth the writer’s nerves and toughen sensitive skin. Guaranteed to make the editing process much easier.

What is your favorite present?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Merry Christmas

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Ho. Ho. Ho.

Merry Christmas.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer