How is it possible that January feels like it flew by but also lasted years? I don’t know, it’s always a strange month for me. Maybe it’s the long stretch before the next holiday.

But regardless, it was a busy and productive month. If you’ve noticed from my recent blogs, I’ve been really focused on making this year my best yet – in every aspect. I’ve also taken January to prioritize my health after some recent issues and challenges. Being healthy – mentally and physically – is beyond important to everyday life, including your writing. So I am feeling strong and giving myself the grace to do what’s best for my mind and body.

And that being said, let’s get down to business on the reading and writing I did last month.

What I Read

GRAND TOTAL: 5

Intercepted by Alexa Martin

The Wicked King by Holly Black 

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty 

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

What I Wrote

I really struggled with my writing motivation for the first half of January. I’d taken a long (two month) break, and getting back into it was tough. Also facing down a two-pound, 130K word manuscript is intimidating. And as I started taking my revision notes – colored pens and tabs in hand – that sense of overwhelm didn’t really go away.

My point in sharing this with you is that if you feel overwhelmed or intimidated at the thought of revisions, you’re not alone and it’s totally normal. This is my third book, and it’s still almost paralyzing to think about how much work still needs to be done – especially since this novel is longer and more complicated than my previous.

Each one of those little colored tabs is something that needs to be fixed. Overwhelming, right? I could easily panic and just throw in the towel. But the key for me is to break it into small digestible chunks. “Today I am going to take notes on five chapters, and that’s it. Tomorrow I am going to focus on editing this one scene.”

And to remember that I am going to be making this book so much better, and I’m pretty in love with it already.

Encouraging feedback on the first several chapters from my agent and writing coach don’t hurt either.

Coming Up

I have a date with The Blood Between Us this weekend to go back through the copious notes I took, fill out my plot line spreadsheet, and make a revision plan. Then I am hoping I can complete the majority of the heavy lifting over the course of February and March. It may not happen that quickly, and that’s okay. But it’s important to have a goal.

As far as reading goes, I have some books on my list that I am really excited about. So I will read, report back and let you know how they are:

• Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
• One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
• A Curse So Dark and Lovely
• 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

With one month into the New Year, how are all of you feeling about 2019? Are your goals progressing as you’d hoped? Let me know in the comments!