Did you miss me?

Or were to busy to notice I was gone?

Omigosh! What a month December was.

I was fulfilled, tired, happy, exhausted, exhilarated, frantic, excited, busy, relaxed, famished, overstuffed, maybe a little tipsy at times, and more. Just like most Decembers. I hope your holiday was as wonderful as ours.

Now we're back to January. 2015 - a new beginning. We're Back to the Future - a long way from that film's release in 1985. Thirty years sounded like a really long time back then. Wow.

January means resolutions for some. I no longer make them because I was lousy at following through. I'm much more successful with making and keeping goals.

The last two years, my goal list was long. Both years, I met all goals except one. This year my list is shorter, but there is one big item on it: complete the drafting of my new project - a trilogy. Not just one book, but three.

One of the things I learned last year is that, although I would love to, I can't do it all. Some of you are capable of blogging, reading more than one book a week, writing 10,000 words in that same week, all while having a full-time job, keeping up an exercise program, caring for your family, promoting your books online and at conferences, and still having room for more. Or some impressive combination of those things.

I tried. I'm sad to say that I am not one of you. I so wish I were.

Instead, I've finally come to accept that I am me. I have no minions, alter egos, ghost writers, or assistants. And I write like a turtle. What I need to do is move ahead at my own pace and do my own thing.

My top writing priority for 2015 is getting the trilogy out of my head and onto paper. Plain and simple, it will require me to dedicate more focus to actual writing.

Ergo, changes will be coming to the Tiki Hut beginning in March - until then, we're gonna be party city, baby! Afterward, we'll still be open, but our hours will be reduced. I'll share more about the changes closer to March.

This catches you up on me. What about you? I want to hear about your holiday and your goals and resolutions for 2015.

Returning to familiar things...this month on my website contest page, Bish Denham is giving away a signed copy of the winner's choice of her books to two winners.
 

Just click the big WIN button at the top of my right sidebar, fill out the short form, and you're entered. U.S. addresses only please.

Anyone know where I can find a used DeLorean?





Comments

Welcome back! I missed you.
I don't think any of us does all of it. We lack somewhere. I usually slack on the writing and reading part, even with the help of clones.
And excellent author to feature this month!
Nick Wilford said…
You can only do what you can do. As long as you're making a plan and making an effort to stick to it, all's good. I also need to finish my trilogy this year. One book left to draft, three to edit (plus a prequel novella). Good luck! It's so exciting to write stories, we should enjoy it. Hope you have a great year.
Hart Johnson said…
Welcome back! I think it's definitely good to know your limits. I can't do everything either. I tend to rotate stuff. I never get quite as much done as I'd hope, but i don't do too badly. Good luck with your trilogy!!!
L. Diane Wolfe said…
Welcome back, Carol. I can't do it all either so I don't bother to try.
Anonymous said…
Glad to see you back here.
Julie Flanders said…
I definitely missed you! So glad you had such a wonderful holiday. And I'm totally with you - I can't do it all either and realize I need to do better at setting my priorities this year.
Unknown said…
I've been gone myself so of course I missed you! I myself have learned lately, that I can not do it all. I will gladly partake in your Fiesta of fun!
Carol Kilgore said…
Alex - I definitely would like more reading time, too.

Nick - Good luck with your trilogy!

Hart - Rotation sounds like a great idea.

Diane - Smart decision :)

Delores - It's great to be back and see everyone!
Luanne G. Smith said…
I've had to cut the regular blogging. I just can't devote my time and energy to it and writing novels anymore. Writing will always come first. And Happy New Year!
Bish Denham said…
You sure you aren't talking about me? Glad you're back and thanks for letting Anansi and Marvin visit your website!

If I had a DeLorean I definitely loan it to you!
Welcome back! And yeah, that paragraph about blogging, writing, having a job, having a family, etc made me exhausted just reading about it. We don't have any expectations with that stuff and just try to do the best we can. As long as we're not being lazy and as long as we're writing SOMETHING, well, that's all that matters.
Chrys Fey said…
Welcome back! It's important to keep our goals short and realistic. I don't do resolutions either. I hope you'll finish the drafting for your trilogy! Good luck!!
I don't know how people do it either. I move at a turtle pace too and long ago accepted that I can only do what I can do and have to accept that as being good enough.
Stephen Tremp said…
Welcome back Carol. I made one resolution to read current books and not ones released years ago. Good luck with the trilogy and have a healthy prosperous New Year.
cleemckenzie said…
I didn't miss you one bit. We were in touch a lot in Dec, remember? Anyway it was fun and I was glad to hang out at the Tiki Hut a bit during winter. Pool boy was on vacay, but I suffered in silence.

Here's to Bish's books! They're fun for young readers, so the winners will be lucky.
Christine Rains said…
Happy new year! Glad you had a wonderful holiday and that's a terrific goal. Here's to a fabulous 2015 for all of us! :)
I can't believe it's 2015. What a great year though to write.

I had a super Christmas with family.
Carol Kilgore said…
Julie - For me prioritizing is as important as goal setting.

Karen - I was off all of December. You are SO right about finding our own way.

David - Fiesta of fun...I love it! Only a few months until Fiesta San Antonio :)

L.G. - That's exactly what's happening with me. I've been too scattered. 2015 will be the year of focus. I hope :)

Bish - Friends loaning friends DeLoreans. There should be a story in that somewhere :)
Jan Christensen said…
Welcome back! Can't wait to hear about your progress on the trilogy Hope you will keep us up-to-date on that here. Have a fabulous, productive, but relaxed, new year.
Unknown said…
I totally understand about the writing commitments. I'm the same, I can't do it all. I have to make priorities. I've been thinking about what will keep me productive this year and I'm moving forward from there. Welcome back. And no, I don't have, or know who has, a DeLorean. Cool car though.
Need you ask? Of course I missed you.
Can't do it all? Some days I can't do any of it - so I can't tell you how much I admire anyone who manages to live and write (and feed my greedy bookaholic self).
PS: Not eligible to win this month but Bish's books look right up my (very broad) street. Will track them down. Thank you both.
Carol Kilgore said…
Beer - I've been doing SOMETHING for a while. Now I need to switch gears. Missed you guys! And everyone :)

Chrys - Good luck wishes much appreciated!

Elizabeth - We need to remember 'slow and steady wins the race.'

Stephen - Wishing you a healthy and prosperous year, too!

Lee - Yes, we were. So difficult to live without visits from the pool boy :)
Of course I missed you but you are back now so all good
H. R. Sinclair said…
Sounds like a fabulous December! It would be awesome to do everything, but alas I don't do it all either. I'm another turtle writer too.
Helena said…
Hell yes I missed you! I'm so glad you're back, and I can't tell you how much I too wish I had minions to do some of my work, 'cause there's just too much of it. I hope you still continue your fun blog, but if you have to reduce the posts in order to keep writing your books, then go for it. I'm down to once a week and that's a struggle sometimes.

I'll check the local Craigs List for DeLorean.
I've also missed you, Carol! You're so full of energy that I can't imagine you doing anything like a turtle. Glad you've decided to set more realistic goals, as your list almost made me reach for a Dramamine! Happy New Year!

Julie
Anne Gallagher said…
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who can't do "it" all. Getting rid of the guilt though, is harder than writing 4000 words in a day.

Glad to see you. Happy New Year. May all your goals come true.
Jemi Fraser said…
Welcome back!
Doing it all is an impossibility for me too - day job and family fill up a whole lot of hours - and that's a good thing :)
LR said…
I'm looking forward to being tipsy again. It's been a while! :)

Congratulations on your new novel, Carol. I haven't read Secrets of Honor but going to put it on my list right now. All the best for 2015!
Carol Kilgore said…
Christine - Happy 2015 to you!

Teresa - Glad your Christmas was super!

Jan - Thanks for such great wishes! I'll post updates here about my progress.

Clarissa - I'm learning how important priorities are.

EC - I missed you, too! I, for one, love bookaholics :)
Unknown said…
Woohoo! Turtle writers unite! We may take twice as long (or more) to write a book than the others, but some day we will rule the world! (Or at least our section of the beach...) I'm not doing a Friday Freebie this week (b/c I'm taking over Celebrate the Small Things and need to run a sign up), but I'll plug your contest with Bish's book next week. :)
Unknown said…
yay you're back! I too am learning I'm not a robot and that's okay :) hope your holiday season was wonderful!
Of course I missed you!!!!!!!!
And I've already cut back because quite simply, it's a must.
Carol Kilgore said…
Jo Anne - I've missed all of you, too!
Carol Kilgore said…
Oops! Meant to answer more this go besides Jo-Anne. I'm still half asleep, I think. Trying again :)

Holly - Turtle Writers Unite!

Helena - When I first started, I blogged every day for a month or so, then went to three days a week. Then two. I've been at once a week for a year or more. I'll be cutting back more in March.

Julie - Maybe I need dramamine :) I do want this to be a productive year. I need one.

Anne - Yeah, the guilt thing is tough. I would LOVE to reach 4000 words a day!

Jemi - Family first. It's a Must Be here, too.

LR - I think there must be a story behind your tipsy comment. I'm heading over to your blog to find out. Great to see you again!
Yeah, it DOES seem like some people can do it all, doesn't it? Including churning out a new book or two every year. Good for them, but I'm not even gonna pretend to be in their category. I never could do it all, but I sure tried to do it when I was young. Now, the trick is to accept our limitations happily, and keep on trucking.

Happy New Year! Can't wait to see that trilogy!
Crystal Collier said…
I'm totally a snail too, but it's because I've got all those other things going on. I think the internet does one great disservice in that we see everyone's best, and rarely their struggles. BUT there is great strength in being able to say, "This is me. I know me and I do what works for me."

Way to be, and here's to a truly epic 2015!
VR Barkowski said…
Welcome back, Carol!

You were most definitely missed! As a fellow-turtle, I salute you. I am a dedicated goal setter but find as long I stay flexible, they keep me on track.

Best of luck with the trilogy and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
VR Barkowski
Anonymous said…
Welcome back. Happy writing in 2015. I also have my goals that I'd like to fulfill.

We should not compare ourselves to others. I've looked at people and wonder how they do so much, and then people will say the same about me to my shock...we all work at a different pace. It makes us who we are.
Stephen Tremp said…
Carol, welcome back. You can always write a series of short stories. Release them a few at a time then as later together as a book of short stories.
Carol Kilgore said…
Lexa - I'll be happy with my little section of beach :) Next week will be perfect for your Friday Freebies. Thank you!

Beth Ellyn - It's liberating and scary, right?

Lynda - I see you figured it out a little before I did. Good for you!

Susan - It's good to see I'm not the only one with limits! Happy 2015!

Crystal - I know you're going to have a fantastic 2015! You're a wise woman.

VR - Working hard on flexibility this year :)

Medeia - Ooh, I know that, but it's so hard not to. At least for me. But I'm taking the first step...and it feels right.

Carol Kilgore said…
Oops - Hi Stephen! You sneaked in while I was commenting to everyone else :)

Good idea. I'm going to keep that in my ideas file. Thanks!
Michael Di Gesu said…
Hi, Carol,

I'm with you... how dow THEY DO IT! I had commented earlier about this on another blogger's site.

It blows one's mind how they can get it all done. I'm lucky I can keep up with my minimal schedule.....

I Hope 2015 is an amazing year for you! ALL the best in wring your trilogy!
Emily R. King said…
Being yourself in 2015 sounds like a fabulous goal to me, Carol. Here's to you!
Carol Kilgore said…
Michael - I think a lot of us have wondered about this for a while. I wish those superwriters well - they deserve the best. All the best to you, too.

Emily - Now if I can actually pull it off, LOL!
Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday!
Welcome back, Carol... fulfilled, tired, happy, exhausted, exhilarated, frantic, excited, busy, relaxed, famished, overstuffed, maybe a little tipsy? He!he! Glad you're in one piece after all that!
LD Masterson said…
Yes, I did miss you and I'm happy your holiday season was a good one. As was ours.

I'm trying to set my goals this year with better balance between the things I should do and the things I want to do. Hopefully, that will keep me from fighting with myself on priorities and choices.
Caryn Caldwell said…
I know what you mean about wanting to be able to do it all. *sigh* Still, it's all about quality over quantity, right? If you're doing a few things well that's SO much better than doing many things poorly.

Happy 2015!
Carol Kilgore said…
Michelle - I'm glad to be in one piece, too!

LD - Setting those priorities is always the most difficult part, at least for me.

Caryn - I certainly hope to do better at the things I do this year. I don't enjoy being as scattered as I was last year.
Anonymous said…
Glad you're back, Carol, and doing things your way is probably best. We can't compare ourselves to other writers. We just have to focus on providing readers with our own brand of stories.
Carol Kilgore said…
Milo - Thanks. You're right.

.