In With The New

2008 has been quite a roller coaster year for most of us. Be it the economy, the price of gasoline or the political merry-go-round of the election, the past twelve months have been anything but uneventful.
On a personal note, I've been fortunate enough to have two books released and signed two more contracts. I've watched my kids continue to mature and become better citizens of the earth. I've gained several friends, grown closer to one I made a couple years ago and sadly, lost a dear friend of more than twenty years. I finished a two-year run as president of my RWA chapter that taught me more than I'd ever have imagined.
2009 will hopefully bring some wonderful things to us all. I hope the state of the economy will improve and eventually recover. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for a dear friend with a secret. I pray her tiny wish comes to fruition. I have lots more requests, way more than I care to share. But I wish you all the best year ever.
What about you? What's on your list?

Happy Holidays vs Merry Christmas

I keep hearing that people are sick and tired of not being able to say "Merry Christmas" to strangers because it is sometimes politically incorrect. They say they refuse to wish people "Happy Holidays" just because it's more inclusive. This year, I'm hearing more and more Christmas wishes. Yes - it's the old backlash against politically correct.
But you know what? It irritates many of us to be told we should enjoy a holiday we don't celebrate. I'm much more comfortable with the generic "Happy Holidays." Sorry if that offends anyone, but why do people assume the customers they wait on or the workers that help them are Christian? Isn't that prejudice?
Now I have no problem with someone you know wishing you the best whatever holiday you celebrate - that's appropriate. But if you don't know me, please don't make assumptions about me.
Okay - I'll step off my soap box and wish everyone the best of holidays. May your cup runneth over, may your load be light and may your journey be safe.

Carving Out Time

We're in the midst of the holiday hoopla and life is busier than ever with gift buying, party going, baking and wrapping. Finding time for writing isn't always easy, but I've cut myself a little slack. You see, last year I used the holidays as an excuse to take a little vacation from writing and that threw me out of my routine - a bad, bad thing. So this year, I'm allowing myself to take one day - occasionally two - in a row off from writing. That way I don't feel guilty for slacking off sometimes and snowballing into a several week period of no work. And so far, it's worked for me. Most of the year I try to write or edit at least a little every day, hopefully, a lot every day!
What about you? Do you stick to your usual word count goals during the holidays or do you take a breather?