My 2015 Goals

{source}

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know I seriously fell down on keeping up with my 2014 goals. I love participating in the goal tracking though, so thought I should set up a few new ones for 2015 (or at least modify the existing ones). So here goes....

1. Write books 3 & 4 in my Klondike Mystery series.
   I really hope to get motivated and get these written!
   
2. Write at least one novella in the new A Set of Rules Mystery Series
   This new character has been talking to me for almost four months. My thought is to have shorter stories rather than full length novels. These should be a fun, quirky read!
    
3. Continue with the monthly newsletter
   Now that I'm slowly building up my subscriber list, I need to keep this on time and interesting.
    
4. Continue my Monday Motivation posts
   Folks seem to enjoy these and I enjoy writing them, so I will continue!

We will see where #1 and #2 stand in another 30 days. Wish me luck!

Motivation Monday: The Future

Another new year approaches, an unseen future ahead. Will it be better than the previous years? In some ways. Will it be worse than previous years? Probably, at some time.

All we can do is resolve to make the most out of our time here...

Wishing all my readers....

Happy Holidays

no matter what you celebrate!

Motivation Monday: Family

I have learned over the years that family isn't always those who you are related to, they often are the people you meet through the years. Those who stand beside you no matter how deep the puddle.

New series coming next year?

I am getting excited about writing the first book in a new cozy mystery series. Born Aurelia Ruhls, orphaned at age 3, she left the foster system at age 16 and changed her name to Lia Rules.

Street smart, she has "fallen" into a career as a Private Investigator/Bounty Hunter. Her flaming red hair, black Ninja 250 motorcycle, black jeans and thigh high boots make her a highly recognizable personality in the PI world.

This series will be a bit quirkier with more humor and I hope it will be a fun write AND read. They won't be long books...well, I don't anticipate them being long. ;)

On my Facebook author page, I requested some suggestions for book titles using common phrases including the world RULES. I got some great suggestions, in fact more than I can ever use. Here are just a few:

• Changing the Rules
• Rules of Engagement
• House Rules
• Broken Rules
• Playing by the Rules
• Follow the Rules

I'm sure you can think of a lot more, feel free to drop a comment with your suggestions. I also need the name of a fictional town in Wyoming. My other books have been set in real places, sometimes with a fictional name. This time around I'm giving myself a little more leeway.

So, if you have any suggestions for fun, whimsical, quirky town names - please drop a comment! I greatly appreciate it.

Last note for the day, I've reactivated my Tumblr page and will post from time to time there. I hope you will follow me there. While I will share these blog posts from time to time, I will also share photos and personal thoughts that you won't see here (or in my newsletter).

I am also giving a new social media outlet a try, tsū. You can find me here. If you have ever used Google+ but were frustrated with the complexity then this might work better for you. Hope you'll stop by!

Motivation Monday: Attitude ~ Humor

We all face difficult situations from time to time. We're stressed, short on time, pulled in many directions and tired. Who can blame us for being short-tempered?

But realistically, that solves nothing and gains us even less. Try taking a deep breath, look around you and find the humor in the situation. Most of the time there is something to laugh about.

I realize there are situations where this won't work - family illness, death, loss of a job. Then take time to watch some funny movies or silly videos. Ask your friends to share something funny. I promise, it will help a bit. ;)

Motivation Monday: Friends

True friendship is something to be treasured. I have had many acquaintances over the years but only a few close friends. Those folks that you can not see or talk to for years, then meet up and continue as though you had just seen each other.

What about you? What are your experiences with friends and acquaintances?

#IWSG for December: Hopeful

Can you believe it's time for a new IWSG post? Here in Ecuador summer is starting, the weather is beautiful and I'm enjoying every minute.

Although I'm on an hiatus from writing, the theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is HOPEFUL.

I resigned from NaNo last month when I realized that my writing was going nowhere. If I were a full-time writer who depended on the income, I would have plowed through and hopefully gotten past the blockage.

But I'm not. I'm retired, living in a foreign country, trying to learn a new language and it all became too much. I know I will write again. I hope my readers will still be waiting when I finally tackle book three in my Klondike Mystery series. I hope I can find new readers (and keep the old ones) when I take a step on the wild side and try some novellas featuring a new character. But regardless, I will write again.

Yes, I am hopeful....

Motivation Monday: Smiles are Universal

I now live in a country where I don't know the language. I have learned a few words, I know how to greet people properly but I rarely understand what is said in a conversation. But I have learned the above truth - a smile will take you a million miles and make many friends. Try it!