Happy New Year + #PubCrawlisComing Giveaway!
HAPPY 2012!
Welcome to the year of the Apocalypse! Or Apocalypsies, if you take a brighter view of the future…
I survived Las Vegas (as evidenced by the photo to the right) and had an AMAZING time. I got to hang out with my writing Soul Twin, Sarah J. Maas, and my favorite critique partner, Kat(astrophe) Brauer. Who could ask for a better New Year’s Eve?
As most people tend to do, I’ve come up with a few New Year’s Resolutions. They’re off the top of my head, and I imagine I’ll develop more goals as the year progresses. But for now,
I am resolving to…
- …NOT PROCRASTINATE ON SPIRIT-HUNTERS BOOK 3. I will start writing it sooner, and…
- …BE MORE PATIENT WITH MYSELF AND MY WRITING. Some people can hammer out 10K a day…I’m not one of those people, and that’s okay.
- …DO A PULL-UP. My goal last summer was to do a pull-up–something I’ve never been able to do in my life, and I was so, so, SO close to reaching this goal. I was in wonderful shape (literally the strongest I’ve ever felt in my life)…but then I got sick in early September. Very sick. So sick that I have regular meetings with my pulmonologist and still load up on medicine everyday. Obviously, I lost ALL my strength, so my goal this year (once my doctor gives me the “all clear” to start exercising again) is to rebuild that strength. Can’t let a single virus get me down, right? NO WAY.
- …FINISH A NON-SPIRIT-HUNTERS BOOK. Be it Purely Platonic or Screechers, I will finish one of the books I started last year.
And…that’s all I have for now. What about you? What are you resolving for 2012?
Actually–hold that thought! Why don’t we do something fun? Turn our resolutions into the chance for a giveaway…?
As many of you know, Let the Words Flow ended in early December with the promise to reappear in 2012 as:
To prepare for this WONDERFUL NEW ENDEAVOR and to also KICK OFF 2012, I think I ought to host a week of giveaways!
Whadaya say?
Does a Giveaway Extravaganza sound good to you?
Today, I’ll give away 2 different books–that’s right, I said TWO.
You can win a copy of Erica O’Rourke’s Torn and Leila Sales’ Past Perfect. Both are books I loved, and I hope you enjoy them too!
To enter, simply fill out the form below, and one week from now, I’ll announce the winner! The contest is open internationally. 🙂
January 2, 2012 @ 1:42 pm
Those are some pretty awesome resolutions. Yeah one of mine were to write once per day, but that hasn’t quite kicked in yet:P
January 4, 2012 @ 6:12 pm
Haha, my resolutions haven’t kicked in yet either, Timothy. I figure I’m not off my holiday vacation yet, so… 😉
January 2, 2012 @ 2:19 pm
Glad to hear you are better and can now rebuild strength. How scary!
January 4, 2012 @ 6:12 pm
Thanks, Laura! Slowly but surely, I’ll get back to pull-up strength. 🙂
January 2, 2012 @ 2:58 pm
Awesome giveaway, Sooz!! And, of course, Happy New Year!
Your resolutions are a bit like mine, actually–procrastination is EVERYWHERE. I need to finish my first draft in the coming months, and by the end of the year, I really want to query my WIP. Also, I need to be more patient with myself, as I don’t write every day, and don’t produce a ginormous amount of words all the time. *sigh*
January 4, 2012 @ 6:14 pm
Yes, that “patient with oneself” is key! Too bad it’s so much easier said than done!! My problem is always that I want to write too many books…then focusing on the on that NEEDS writing becomes hard! 😛
January 2, 2012 @ 6:44 pm
past perfect looks so fun! thanks for the contest 🙂
-Gina
gina dot carey at gmail
January 4, 2012 @ 6:14 pm
You’re so welcome, Gina!!
January 2, 2012 @ 6:57 pm
Dude. Your book comes out this year. How flipping awesome is that??
And dude (again). Doing a pull-up is TOTALLY on my list of goals for the year. I’ve never been able to do one either, but I’m getting there too. I hope you finally kick this sickness’s butt and get back to training soon!
January 4, 2012 @ 6:15 pm
Thanks, Meredith!! You and me will become pull-up machines. We’ll hang out on Miami beach and just pump out pull-up after pull-up–with “Eye of the Tiger” playing in the background, of course….Or maybe not. 😉
January 2, 2012 @ 7:36 pm
I loved Torn, great twists and turns!
January 4, 2012 @ 6:16 pm
Me too! I also just adored Mo’s character. Such a refreshing change for the MC to NOT be the chosen one, but the chosen one’s BFF!
January 2, 2012 @ 8:45 pm
Happy New Year, Susan! (And hooray for the year of the Something Strange… release!) My main New Year’s Resolutions are to start querying my novel (well, completely finishing it would be a good start) and learn a foreign language – preferably Japanese.
January 4, 2012 @ 6:20 pm
Ooh, Japanese! COOL! And good luck querying!! If you ever have questions, let me know! <3
January 2, 2012 @ 9:36 pm
Past Perfect especially looks amazing! Such a fantastic premise. Thanks for the giveaway!
January 4, 2012 @ 6:20 pm
I adored PAST PERFECT–LOL hilairous. 😀 And you’re so welcome!!
January 2, 2012 @ 10:10 pm
I’m resolving to stop procrastinating (like that’s gonna happen) this 2012. And go to bed early so I can actually be up early and WRITE before university. My all-nighters have been pretty worthless so far.
What a great way to kick off 2012. Thank YOU!
January 4, 2012 @ 6:21 pm
Oh dear, the dreaded all-nighter! I am so guilty of those, but I find if I get up early, I’m actually much more “on my game”! GOOD LUCK! You and I will both be trying to go to bed earlier!! 😀
January 2, 2012 @ 11:42 pm
I hope you get to that pull-up! Those are so stinkin’ hard. Good luck with the writing goals too – we each have to do our best.
January 4, 2012 @ 6:32 pm
Thanks, Tasha! And pull-ups ARE stinkin’ hard, aren’t they? I am amazed at just HOW hard. 😀
January 3, 2012 @ 12:07 am
I’m glad you’re feeling better, and good luck with your New Year’s resolutions!
I’m also hoping to get healthier this year, too. 🙂
And eee! I’m so excited for Pub Crawl! 😀
January 4, 2012 @ 6:32 pm
Healthy–yay! Always a good resolution since it affects your work and happiness too. 😀
January 3, 2012 @ 12:20 am
Happy new year! I wish you the very best with your new year’s resolutions, especially the pull up one 🙂 I used to be able to do those when I was in… elementary? lol I should totally make that a goal as well. I hope you regain your strength and conquer your health!
My new year’s resolution is to write two novels–not necessarily FINISH them, but write them for sure 😀
January 4, 2012 @ 6:33 pm
Great resolutions. Just writing a novel is SUCH a feat. Then revising it is is a completely separate (but no less amazing) feat. 🙂 Good luck with it!!
January 3, 2012 @ 1:25 am
Happy New Year! Those are some great resolutions. I’m embarrassed my 6 year old can do like, 20 pull ups in a row. I don’t think I’ve even tried to do one since high school P.E.!
January 4, 2012 @ 6:34 pm
I’m impressed by your 6-year-old. I could barely manage one pull-up in elementary school…but no more! I SHALL CONQUER THAT PULL-UP BAR!! 😉
January 3, 2012 @ 5:18 am
Hooray! I, too, have never been able to do a (real) pull-up… interesting resolution! Good luck! 😀
January 4, 2012 @ 6:35 pm
Random resolution, I know! But it became the best measure of my personal strength that I could find. 😀
January 3, 2012 @ 5:30 am
Awesome resolutions! I am resolving to write every day, and to make the book I’m revising ROCK! I haven’t gotten my editorial letter yet, so I’m not quite sure what that second one entails….
January 4, 2012 @ 6:35 pm
Well, when you get your editorial letter, GOOD LUCK! You’ll ace it, I’m sure. 😉 For me, the key is to always be organized. And good luck writing everyday! I’m certain you can do it.
January 3, 2012 @ 7:47 am
My New Year’s Resolutions are:
1. Stop cleaning up after my family (who are old enough to do it themselves!)
2. Plan meals and grocery lists ahead of time
3. Schedule “Me Time” and take it without feeling guilty
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
January 4, 2012 @ 6:37 pm
Great resolutions! I starting planning meals and grocery lists ahead of time about 2 years ago, and it was the BEST. For one, food never goes to waste, and for two, I find I spend much less money on food. 😀
Also, you definitely deserve “me time”, and hopefully if your family is cleaning up after themselves, you’ll have the time to do it!!
January 3, 2012 @ 10:45 am
Good luck with your resolutions! I think I might be one of those people who aren’t suited to make resolutions because the moment I see them after the year turns, I get disheartened XD
Oh! Maybe this will help you get into the spirit of writing the third book faster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCuE5rHbPA
Happy New Year! 😀
January 4, 2012 @ 6:39 pm
Haha, I know what you mean about the disheartening. 🙂 And WOW, I love that song! HILARIOUS!! When the 19th century photograph (of 3 men) starts singing, I literally squealed with laughter!
January 3, 2012 @ 2:39 pm
My New Year Resolution is to read more than 100 books! =D
Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile
January 4, 2012 @ 6:39 pm
Oh wow! What a great goal!! YOU CAN DO IT!!
January 4, 2012 @ 12:16 am
Hey Sooz! I totally died from the Internet for the last few weeks (computer issues are not cool things). But Happy New Year!
My resolutions are:
1. To get my NF book out by its new release date of mid-April. I lost most of the files for it during the computer issues, so I’m mostly restarting from scratch (eek!).
2. To hopefully get Weeping out around the same time. Depends on how revisions are going, but it will be out by June or July at the latest. Probably.
3. Write 2-3 more books.
4. NO DRAMA. Last year terrible drama-wise for me, and I’m determined that that is NOT happening this year.
I hope it’s Purely Platonic you get finished! I seriously want to read more than what you posted up here before. Oh, and I’m pre-ordering SS&D next week finally.
Hope everything is awesome for you 🙂
January 4, 2012 @ 6:41 pm
Oh NO, Arianna! You lost most of your files? You have to START YOUR BOOK OVER?? ACK!! Good luck with that!
I will totally let you read PP when I finish! I’m hoping that (after my holiday vacation) I have some time to finish it the first draft (I have 50K written so far!) before I get my ADS&L revisions letter. 😀
Good luck with your resolutions! I’m sure you can reach ’em! <3 <3
January 4, 2012 @ 2:26 am
A resolution of mine is to work on saying “no thank you” more often. I try to do too much sometimes and have to realize what’s most important.
Jessica – booksake(at)yahoo(dot)com
January 4, 2012 @ 6:42 pm
Oh, that was my resolution last year!! It took me a year, but I do think I’m *better* at saying “no”. I’m still a sucker, but at least I’m much better! 😀
January 4, 2012 @ 5:45 am
My main resolution is to just find a way to be happy. 🙂
January 4, 2012 @ 6:43 pm
Aww, what a good one, Sydney! I’m sure you can do it. Have you read THE FOUR AGREEMENTS? I really enjoyed that book, and it really helped me changed my approach to life. 😀
January 4, 2012 @ 5:56 am
I love that on the home page, your post says, “I am resolving to… READ MORE.” It made me smile. 🙂
<3
Mer
January 4, 2012 @ 6:43 pm
HAHAHA! I didn’t even notice that, Mer, but you’re SO right. Hahahaha…too bad I didn’t make it a real resolution! It’s certainly a good one. 😀
January 4, 2012 @ 12:14 pm
Some of my resolutions are to just move more. I’m so stationary when I’m not working. The other is to cook more at home, instead of going out to eat. And also, to finish the Jane novel. I really have a good feeling about this novel!
January 4, 2012 @ 6:44 pm
Oh, I totally relate, Erica! I am soooooo stationary–just planted on my butt all day long. And yippee to cooking at home more! Once it becomes routine, it’s actually much more satisfying (at least I think so). Good luck with your Jane novel! YOU CAN DO IT!
January 6, 2012 @ 12:43 am
a belated happy new year!
my resolutions are to fullfill a reading list on human trafficking topics (more serious) & do a 365 day project on my blog 🙂
January 9, 2012 @ 4:52 am
Oh wow. That IS a serious resolution (and commendable one). And the 365 day project–WOW!! Good luck! 😀
January 6, 2012 @ 1:53 am
My number one New Years Rez is to write at least 2000 words a week, and I plan on carving out one evening a week (preferably Monday or Tuesday) to do so.
I’m only aiming for 2000 per week since life is hectic and unmanageable in college. In the past 1.5 years of being a college student I have written quite a lot… during the holidays. ;p So I’d like to try to write, at least ONCE a week, if not more, during the school year. I need to get back into writing regularly and ease myself into doing it. Plus, dude–once a week, I get to go to a cafe by myself and drink tea and allow myself to do nothing but write? Sounds like a fantastic plan! For some reason I have a harder time writing in my apartment than at my parents’ house, which is why I seem to be pumping out so much writing during the holidays… weird.
January 9, 2012 @ 4:53 am
I *totally* know what you mean about writing better somewhere else! I used to hate studying at my apartment in college, but when I went to the library or a cafe, it was much easier to focus! Same for my writing–I do better in a non-familiar setting. 😀
Good luck with your 2K/week! That’s a great goal–not too high that you can reach, but high enough to be a huge achievement!!
January 7, 2012 @ 6:19 am
Rather than focus only on 2012 resolutions, I’ve decided to create my own personal bucket list. A few things I’d like to do is fulfill my 50-book pledge for 2012, which I made for the very first time. I’d also like to get back into my yoga and pilates practice. I let that slide and I miss it. Not so much about the weight, but about the discipline, enjoyment of it, and the health benefits. They’re not extraordinary resolutions, but I’d really like to see these one through.
Thanks for a chance at winning your giveaway.
Zara
zgarcia(dot)alvarez(at)gmail(dot)com
January 9, 2012 @ 4:54 am
Oh, neat idea, Zara! I love the idea of a pledges! I really miss karate, so maybe that’s something I can get back into this year! 🙂