Happy 2024!!
Ah, January. The Holidays are over, school terms are back in session, and fresh starts are in the forecast. I went to bed December 31st with a plan to spend all day January 1st writing, revising, and reading. Then I woke up January 1st with a sinus infection and the worst migraine I’d had in months.
I told myself that weekend would be my chance to get on track for the year, but a family emergency popped up and chased away those plans. So I decided the next weekend would be the actual fresh start of my dedication to writing.
You’ve probably already guessed that I didn’t write that next weekend. Nope, instead a big snowstorm blew in and wiped out our power for 6 days. I spent that time shivering under a blanket and my handknit shawl and trying desperately to hold it together. We had the fortune (unlike many in our apartment complex) to find a place to go with heat and electricity, and we bundled up our pets and lived like squatters in an empty room for three days while the sky dumped two inches of solid ice on everything.
So the year has not started out like I’d hoped. I did have some moments of triumph (an evening where I hand wrote a flash fairytale retelling in an old notebook stands out as a particular highlight) but for the most part I went into the last full week of January already feeling like I was playing catch up. I won’t lie, I was feeling very pessimistic and a tad bit overdramatic (I’m a Leo, so it already comes naturally to me even when I don’t have valid reasons behind it).
Then, my order of new stationary arrived via USPS.
In my regular life, I’m a messy person. My living room and bedroom contain various stacks of books, board games, and art supplies- all carefully balanced in precarious towers that need careful planning to navigate. I’m not quite at hoarder status, but I’m in desperate need of a good declutter session.
When it comes to my work desk, however, I need organization. I clean my desk at least weekly, and nothing says “desk refresh” like the arrival of new memo pads, post-it notes, and sticker sheets. There’s something very satisfying about clearing out last week’s notes and setting up your work space for future success. I ended my cleaning session in much higher spirits than I went in, and then reflected on the things I’ve accomplished this month. Here are a few highlights:
I wrote and submitted my first piece of the year!
I got my first rejection of the year! (Not for the piece that was submitted, it was for something I submitted last August)
I submitted Packet #4 to my RWW Mentor, April, last week. This feels like a big packet, because there’s only two left before I submit my Thesis to our program director. This one contained entirely new material, as I had several epiphanies about the direction/character motivations/plot points of my Thesis over the Holidays.
And, finally, I found and registered for several writing group meetings at my local library system. I was inspired by my friend, the wonderful Summer A.H. Christiansen, who teaches classes at their local library in Alaska. After reading some of Summer’s experiences I decided to look into writing groups at my own library and- what do you know!- there they were! Of course, they were canceled due to the snow storm, but that just means I have something to look forward to next month!
That’s where I’m at this month. I’m wrapping up January feeling tired, but optimistic. 2024 is going to be a big year for me, I’m graduating from PLU, I’m determined to finish the first draft of a complete novel, and hopefully I’ll finally get around to returning the overdue library books that are sitting by my front door, just waiting. They’re always waiting….
Happy writing, happy reading, and I hope you all have a great month!