On the ever-wise Facebook last week, I saw a meme going around–What is your word for 2015? Nothing popped out at me in any clarifying ah-ha! moment. 2014 was a crazy, tragic, yet wonderful year. It started out with major upheaval for my beloved Hadley Rille Books, upheaval that had me scrambling to figure out how to run a small press when I didn’t even have passwords for any of the accounts. With the help of my Hadley Rille Books family, and the associated entities we work with, I figured it out. WE figured it out, and held the fort quite competently.
During that time of upheavalishly figuring things out, my life was consumed with all things HRB. I needed something outside of it, and so wrote my first contemporary romantic fiction. It was nothing short of breathtaking–magical, even. I started Seeking Carolina in February, finished it in May, and sold it in June (to Lyrical, the newest imprint of Kensington Publishing.) I’ve since written another book for the series, and am at work on yet a third. Let’s hope Lyrical wants them!
2014 also saw my son’s ongoing medical issues get worse, and then infinitely better. Infinitely. After years of life-saving but mind-numbing medication, he is coming off all of them one at a time, and his amazing personality and brilliant mind are finally freed. It is a daily joy, seeing him be HIM, in ways he hasn’t been able to be in almost ten years.
2014 was a year of being responsible for things outside my own, personal world. Between Hadley Rille Books and my son’s medical stuff, I’ve dedicated a good portion of my time. Combine that with my writing group, my reading group and my family at large, and it’s amazing that I’ve gotten as much writing done as I have. But it’s all a bit of a blur. Sheer will got it done. 2015 is going to be different. I don’t want to force myself though my life. I want to experience it.
So I’m streamlining. That’s my word for the year. Streamline. With my stint at running a small press no longer a necessity, I’m going to back off and let the pieces fall together in whatever fashion they will. I am editing two books this year, no more. Editing, not producing and getting out to press. If my book club chooses a book I really have no interest in reading, I’m not going to read it. This, “I must read all book club books” mentality has to go. It’s keeping me from the many books I have been dying to read. Life is too short, and reading time too limited, to waste on stuff that doesn’t tickle my fancy.
I am going to learn the word “No,” and hold it as precious as I do “Modesty is for suckers.” I am going to stop being the mom of every group I encounter. I am going to streamline my life so that I can be IN it instead of flying somewhere above it, hoping to catch up. Call this my resolution, call it my goal; whatever it is–streamline–it’s my word for 2015. What’s yours?
Modesty Is For Suckers 
Mine is “explore”, which I’m interpreting broadly. It means trying new things in my writing, as well as new things in general, as well as traveling. I think your choice for the year is brilliant, and wish you LOTS of luck and happiness, as always!
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Kelly, what an excellent word for your year! Perfect for you, and where you are in your life in general. Love it. Wishing back at you, darling! Love and light to you and yours!
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Love this! Looking forward to being part of your wonderful, yet streamlined, year!!
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Me too! 🙂 ❤
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Streamline is a great word and a good way to start off the year. I don’t have a word – yet – but you have me thinking….. Happy New Year.
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I really wasn’t going to play at that meme, but it hit me over the weekend, and sparked this post, so… 🙂
It’s handy, having it to remind me. Maybe I’ll put a sign over my computer!
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Mine is “Focus.” Focus on work–not facebook. Focus on things at home. Not Facebook. I think you get the idea 🙂
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Oh, and love your word choice 😉 Yes, it’s perfect for you.
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Thanks. You know better than most how utterly essential the word is to my present. XX
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Mine is REST. 🙂 I hope you’re in for a good year Terri. You deserve it. (I also hope that one of those 2 books is, ahem, mine!)
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Why YES, it is yours. Rest–perfect one for you.
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I had to think about this and it came to me in the shower. ME. That is not as selfish as you may think. I need to focus on me as i do for others more then i should. I help my brother figure out his bills (and write his checks), I am the one my elderly mom calls for help, I am always there for my friends, and i want everyone to be happy. Even if i am not. I call it middle child syndrome, So, 2015 is all about me, my needs and my happiness.
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Lise, YES! Selfish is not a bad word. It’s not a character flaw. Like they say on all flights, if that mask drops down, put yours on first before trying to help others. Good life lesson.
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No word for me yet, but I love yours!
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I have one for you–prioritize. You can’t do it all and stay sane, woman.
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(From my darling, Carol Lovekin, who couldn’t get WordPress to obey.)
My word is WORDS.
Write them, defend them, love them. Wait for them to show up, challenge them when they do. Shake them up, agree with them, laugh in the face of them. Write some more, kill a few (a lot?) & wrap the best of them in packages made of story.
This post reminds me I must write to you.
Love in abundance, cariad & never mind 2015: joy for the rest of your life!
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Words, indeed. You might not get wordPRESS to obey, but words do your bidding, my dear.
Thank you, thank you! XX
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Thank you, my lovely!
One more time! Come on – let me do my thing!
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Haha! Success! WordPress/Twitter you pesky critters – I am a witch & I have spells!
*small joyful cackle*
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