I’ve been thinking a lot about goals—particularly SMART ones. Those are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. To help me generate them, I’m relying on three pillars. Mine are Health & Family, Heart & Head, and Community.
As I get older, it’s even more important to focus on my own health and that of my husband and dogs. I want to take care of all of us in 2025.
One of the joys of being a self-published author is that I can write whatever I want, without regard to whether a publisher will accept it. Too often, though, that has resulted in books that diverge from my core brand. In 2025, I’m going to focus on writing books that come from my heart—but that my head recognizes I can sell.
The first of those will be out in mid-January, and I’ll tell you more about them in the next newsletter. But they’re a spin-off of the golden mysteries, involving dogs who help people heal from whatever traumas have haunted them. They’re in the sub-genre of Japanese healing fiction, or what might be called cozy fantasy. I love writing this stuff, and I think I can sell it, too.
My third pillar is community. If you’re familiar with the Clifton Strengths, my top strengths are Maximizer, Strategic, Connectedness, Learner, and Intellection. What this means, in a nutshell, is that I like learning things and then connecting with people to teach them. Fits a twenty-year career as a college professor, doesn’t it?
So in 2025 I want to focus on two things: teaching, and being with people. Writing is a very solitary profession, so I’m aiming to attend more author readings, writers group sessions, and book events. I’m already signed up to teach four classes in 2025—one in person in Boca Raton, and three more online. You can find more about them on my website under the What’s New tab.
Brody and Griffin join Marc and me in wishing you a joyous holiday season, however you celebrate, and a new year of health and happiness.
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