I got another visit from my javelina friends. I was taking out recycling when I smelled something nasty and skunky. Then I looked outside the fence and there they were! Yes, they smell. They also seem to use their sense of smell to figure out where I was and don’t seem to see that well. Their snouts are very active!
Now back to my topic: The New Year is a Gift
With January slowly slipping away, I’m making a conscious effort to make the most of it. Each new year does feel like a gift. There’s a chance to be better, make changes to be healthier and focus on new goals.
How am I doing that? First, by re-reading Julia Cameron’s book “Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance.”
From Amazon’s description:
The third book in Julia Cameron’s groundbreaking trilogy on creative self-renewal, now for the first time in paperback. In this inspiring twelve-week program, the third in Julia Cameron’s beloved body of work on the creative process, Cameron offers guidance on weathering the periods in an artist’s life when inspiration has run dry. This book provides wisdom and tools for tackling some of the greatest challenges that artists face.
The second thing I did this weekend was renew my membership to SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrators) and downloaded “The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children.”
The guide covers all aspects of the publishing process, including finding an agent, writing a query letter, writing a book proposal, understanding contracts, and more.
I also watched a video of marketing trends in children’s literature which was on SCBWI’s resource page. I have several children’s manuscripts that I’d love to get published. I’m going to give it another try!
One of them is a story about growing up with my mom with her quirky and eccentric ways. I wrote it at least 20 years ago and got an offer from a small publisher. At the time, I was on contract with the Los Angeles Times Kids’ Reading Room to write children’s stories and was published in children’s magazines like Ladybug. I thought the publisher’s contract was too small! Of course, I never got another offer and quickly learned getting published is not that easy.
The other manuscript won first place in a Writer’s Digest competition as well as my local SCBWI chapter. It was also picked up by the most adorable website in the UK called S’mories where young British kids were recorded reading stories. The website was taken down for some unknown reason. Perhaps the parents no longer wanted their children broadcast in public all around the world.
I’m going to start with those two projects and will work on new projects, too.
Momma with two babies.
Do you feel like a New Year is a gift?
What plans or goals do you have for 2026?
They might be stinky and destructive, but oh my goodness… I still love them! And you can get so close. I admit, I’m jealous of backyard javelinas.
💕
Well, I’m jealous of your deer! I haven’t seen any for months. I swear they can’t see worth beans so they stick their snouts through the fence to smell where I am!
Every day of a gift. We just have to remember to unwrap it and use it.
So true! That’s a great way too look at each day.
So excited for you and this new (renewed) journey into writing again EA! I’d love to see baby javelina’s peeking into the backyard. The best we get are squirrels and the neighbors dog 😉
Thank you for your encouraging words. My photography pulled me away from working on my writing projects, but it was worthwhile. I was getting writing slump and needed that break. The javelinas are fascinating to see on the other side of the fence.
A new year is certainly a gift! Those critters are kinda creepy…
I do feel encouraged with 2025 behind me! Yes, they are creepy critters and they can be dangerous.
I hope 2026 will
See some real, positive change for America and the world. Our country is in deep trouble.
I hope so too! I’m feeling positive though.
Amen! 🙏🏻
😊
I had forgotten you wrote children’s books! Good luck with that endeavor in the coming year. Also, the wildlife is out like crazy this week… I’ve seen several coyote, bobcats, and racoon this week. The javalina are fun (at a distance!).
Thanks! I’m excited to get back to writing. I got discouraged after my computer died and I haven’t backed up an entire manuscript! The javelina I only like to see on the other side of the fence. If I’m out for a walk and see them, I get nervous. They always seem to be in packs. My husband said he saw a pack of coyotes last week, too.
Wonderful idea Elizabeth. Best of luck dear friend.
Thank you for the encouraging words.
You’re most welcome
💕
Those javelina are so cute! But I’ve smelled them before and you’re right – they stink!
Love your perspective that each year is a gift. How inspiring – as are your goals. Good for you!
The javelina are cute from a distance! Thank you for encouraging me on my goals for 2026.
Cheers to you and all of this momentum I feel from your post! Good stuff, Elizabeth! 💝😊💝
Thank you! I was able to get through some stressful stuff and the world has opened! 💕
Yay!!!! ❤️🥰❤️
I couldn’t agree more! Maybe some day I’ll write about it. 🥰
😉❤️😉
😊
I hope you get it published! You are correct, having a publisher interested in you is rare and hard work to attain and keep!!! That being said, my publisher likes my second novel, follow up to The Bayou Heist and will be publishing it. He praised me for continuity of characters and a compelling plot. There is still editing but the New Year is off to a good start!
Congrats to you on your second novel! That’s quite an accomplishment. I think my early success or achievements gave me the wrong idea of how difficult it was to get published. And it’s even more difficult today.
I believe you can do it! Thank you! The second novel took a lot of work and patience. Actually, it will be a trilogy, a third novel is planned and I am working on it now. He will start sending me editing remarks soon from his editor, so we shall see. I am excited! Thank you!
Thanks for the encouragement. You’re an inspiration 😊
Yes! Best of luck to you with writing and publishing! This year will be our year. We can do this. 😊
Too bad that you can’t have the sheep in Sunday’s post come visit you like the javalinas do! 🙂
Thanks! Good luck to you, too! Great thought that this will be our year! Funny about the sheep 🐑
🥰
😊
Your post has such incredible energy, Elizabeth! Feeling inspired and ready to take action. Love this!
Thank you for your kind words!
It sounds like you have some great plans for the new year. I don’t make resolutions, but I think it’s important to have goals and something to look forward to. Happy writing!
Those javelina babies look small enough to fit through your fence railings. 😯
Thanks! Fortunately the javelina babies stay with their parents!
My impression is the children’s book market is going strong. Especially at Christmas time. I bought a bunch to donate to Toys for Tots this year. Such a variety!
That’s great. The video I watched went through all the numbers and the market is increasing slightly. A few specific needs were pointed out. Ever since COVID, reading levels have decreased so they want mid grade and YA at easier reading levels.
Oh yes, January. I’ve been purging a bunch of stuff cluttering my closets, shelves, and file drawers. A bunch of stuff going to be donated tomorrow. Some things went in the dumpster today. I feel lighter and less burdened!
That’s a great feeling!
I’m trying to reestablish my blog after taking several months off. I love January. I don’t make resolutions. I like to rest, restore, read, write and let my ideas sort of simmer during the cold months. I did take up strength training at a studio around the corner from my house. It’s the year of the fiery red horse, should be a transformative year for all. Hugs, C
I love your description of rest, restore, read and write, simmering your ideas. That’s what I’m doing, too. I took a few steps forward but am working on the resting and reading. Good for you for strength training. I need that but have bunion surgery Monday! In a few weeks, I need to get back into fitness.
Why are some of the cutest critters also stinky?
Yes, I love the new year. New ideas, fresh thoughts!
I love that you have these manuscripts, and you’re ready to tackle the next step. All the best, my friend!
Thank you for the encouraging words. I’m excited for the new year, too. New ideas and fresh thoughts is a good way to sum it up!