Tomorrow it will be 2011.  Kind of hard to believe, isn’t it?

So what are your resolutions?

I’m really good at making resolutions.  I can always think of things that would be very worthwhile to accomplish.  I am somewhat less talented, however, at following through.

There is apparently a method, a proper way if you will, to make resolutions.  It involves small, measurable steps as opposed to vague global statements.

So I guess become the most famous author of all time is out 🙂

Fond as I am of vague global statements, I will try to scale down.  Here I go:  I think I will resolve to take a writing class to further my education (I’m already signed up!), try to do better with the Picture Book Marathon in February this year than I did last year (it’s supposed to be a picture book a day for 28 days – I only got to 17 in 2010 – although between school visits and the writing course it might be hard…), write at least one novel (you never know, this could be the year!), sell at least one new manuscript (really I hope that will happen or I may have to pursue a career in competitive knitting!), eat fewer cookies (though I will certainly not resolve to swear off them altogether!) and get more exercise (so I don’t have to swear off cookies altogether!)  How does that sound?  My writing buddies, Scout and Jemma, are all in favor.  (That’s because they think they will be the lucky recipients of both more exercise and the cookies I don’t eat, which fits in perfectly with their resolutions to spend more time roaming Blueberry Hill and eat as many cookies as possible!))

Now, I hope each of you will make your resolutions (feel free to share – sometimes it’s easier to be in things together… anyone else want to write a novel this year?) and I hope you all ring in the New Year with health, happiness, and hope!

See you in 2011!

HINT For Beth’s Birthday Hunt Clue #6

If you still don’t get it, email me 🙂
(Also the blog address is in my sidebar 🙂

Here’s the deal.

What with it’s being 2 days before Christmas and all, I figure it’s highly probable that you guys don’t have time to read the blog I don’t have time to write.

So I have declared a brief hiatus, which was unanimously voted on by me and thus passed without argument.

I will submit only one parting cheery tidbit: The Teacher’s Lounge blog listed 25 Great Children’s Books, including such current favorites as Llama Llama Red Pajama, and such classics as The Giving Tree and Tuck Everlasting, and FIRST on the list was Can’t Sleep Without Sheep – a pretty nice holiday present for me (who wrote it) and Mike (who illustrated it!)  Check out the link and see the list for yourselves!  (It was actually posted on November 24th, but I just found it :))

And now, I wish you all a wonderful holiday, whichever one you celebrate, and I’ll be back on Monday, hopefully ready with Kathy’s interview!  Have a great one!!!

HINT For Beth’s Birthday Hunt Clue #5

A  B  C  D . . .
1  2  3   4 . . .

If you still don’t get it, email me 🙂
(address in sidebar :))

I know.  I promised an interview with the uber-talented Kathy Troidle Jackson.  The interview is ready to go.  (Or at least, it will be when we get the word… you already know about me and the necessity of deadlines…) but we are still waiting on her website to be up.  Perhaps tomorrow…

So in the meantime, let’s all have a mug of mulled cider and a song, shall we?

I was thinking The Writers 12 Days of Christmas would be fitting, so I have made it up.

Technically the 12 Days of Christmas run from December 25 until January 5, but it seems like the 12 days should come before, and a rousing song is always cheering, so here we go!

(And no rude comments about my singing voice!)

(And no complaints about meter – we’re going for concept here and the things a writer wants don’t necessarily fit the meter.  I don’t actually know of any writers who want 10 lords-a-leaping… although I’m sure there are some…)

(And also, let’s remember we’re talking ideal scenario here – not reality – but without being too greedy :))

Now, EVERYBODY!:

On the 12th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me
12 Fresh New Ideas (per month)
11 New Blog Followers (per month)
10 New Fans on Face Book (also per month)
9  Book Sales per Hour 🙂
8  Uninterrupted Hours per Day for Writing  (ha ha ha! – sorry, that one’s just too funny!)
7  Rave Reviews
6  Complimentary Fan Mail Letters (per week – because there’s no mail on Sunday)
5  NEW CONTRACTS!!
4  School Visits (per month)
3  Famous Book Awards
2  Writing Buddies (human or canine – I’m fortunate to have both already 🙂 – or feline if you like)
and an Editor Who Totally Loves You!!!

Now, don’t you feel cheered?  I’m sure, with that to hum to yourself, you’re all ready to go wrap stuff.  I, as you know, will be leaving that to the last minute because my sister has just arrived from Georgia and it is far more important that I visit with her and my nephews and niece than squirrel myself away to do something so boring as wrapping.  (Besides, in my opinion, unwrapping is a lot more fun!)  And I still have 3 whole days… 🙂

Hopefully Kathy’s interview will be up tomorrow.  It will give you something to look forward to!