Hello January! We’re getting a blast of cold air here after a week of 70 degree temps. Georgia=all 4 season in one day.
Author Kimberly Brock had an Instagram post about starting a new book. Drafting, she called it. I really liked how she described the process of creating a new story. It got me thinking on the drafting process.
Normally my favorite part.
But I’m working on a story now that was supposed to be done a couple of weeks ago. And it’s not. 3 chapters left to write, but I had an epiphany about 3/4 through the story that will have me going back to edit a bit of the first chapters. I was trying to finish in December which I should have known better. The holidays are always filled with surprises and reschedulings, and unexpected twists and turns. All good, all fun, but the writing time was pushed to the side for 2 to 3 weeks. I thought about it a lot.
Felt like I should have figured out how to write while I’m tired, or write when I only have maybe a 30 minute window. Looking back now, I see that was a weight on my mind. Reading Kim’s post about creating and how magical it can be, and how everything spills onto the pages, well, it fired me up. It reminded me I do love all those aspects of the first draft. Of seeing the characters come alive.
Watching them grow.
It’s where everything comes together to create the big picture the readers are waiting to read.
Ah! (And for all my puzzle lovers, I have a special puzzle waiting for when I finish the book—and turn it in.)
Isn’t it beautiful? (Just like Georgia!)
And this puzzle mirrors the drafting process–the seasons roll into each other, each unique, yet beautiful, just as our stories are unique, yet have scenes that pick up where the last left off.
So, instead of telling myself I’m starting off 2022 behind, I’m simply saying the joy of 2021 has rolled into 22 for me.
Anyone else leave something unfinished? If, so, don’t feel bad about it. Embrace whatever it is in 22 and go with it! And, hey, if you didn’t leave anything unfinished–love that! I know that a lot of people don’t do resolutions, but is there anything you’re looking forward to? Tell me your Beautiful 22 stories!
One commenter will be chosen at random for a $5 Amazon gift card to start 22 off with a new book!
USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
Looking at doing a healthier me! Love the puzzle!!
Being mask free.
Kathleen—I’m on board with that. My Dr. wants me to lower my cholesterol…..so grapefruit and oatmeal breakfasts here I come!
Kim—what a truth! I know we’re all tired and weary from these last 2 years. I keep remembering God has placed us here at this time—that keeps me keeping on with living during a pandemic. Never imagined it would happen.
Last year I procrastinated so much that I simply did not get things done. This year I vow to take my health more seriously and get some much needed home improvements done.
Best of luck on finishing. Oh but I love that puzzle. That is so what life is like. I left a lot of sewing unfinished last year. So this year I got a monthly calendar for my sewing room and have put in each month what I want to finish. I have high hopes because I gave myself time each month to finish things.
I’l just remind myself multiple times a day to trust God
Cathy–Home improvements are on my list as well. Front doors, closets, pantry shelves….painting..the list goes on! Good luck!
Lori–I am visual–I like the calendar idea-seeing the goals monthly is a great idea. Thank you for sharing.
Jcp–Yes–and Amen!!
I’m looking forward to whatever God has in store for me this year! Love the puzzle!!
Trudy—Yes—and I can’t wait to get my hands on that puzzle.
Not every project fits tidily into a January-December, for sure! I prefer to think I’m starting out the year ahead on certain projects rather than behind from last year. ;)
I really wanted to start consistently exercising every day starting this year. I haven’t done it yet so far. But, I’m choosing to not to beat myself up and instead take each day as it comes and be happy when I can fit in a bit of exercise even if its only for very brief moments.
Val–Your mindset is moving forward—that’s the healthy way to look at this for sure.
Megan–Grace for all of us to be sure. You can’t get yesterday back, but you can move forward–mental mindset is key as well. Can’t beat yourself up for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Love that puzzle I build puzzles year long right now I probably have around 40 puzzles put away until I finish the puzzle I’m working on now.Yes they need to just let people go mask free u can’t even breathe in them or hear what people are saying I don’t like wearing them but I do it for my 94 year old grandpa’s sake for a few weeks we didn’t have to wear masks but then they went back to mask mandates now they are thinking they might have to close down the schools I’m glad I’m already graduated.
Hi Lindi :)
Same! I have a writing project that rolled from the past year into this one. Here’s to finishing these projects!
Stop jumping to another book before finishing the one I’m already reading and thus be able to read one book at a time instead of five at the same time in an orderly 😅
Kendra—Puzzle friend!! Yay for graduation! Masks are trying to be sure, but yes, to protect our elders we wear them. We are not mask mandated in our state right now.
Priscila—Yes to finishing! Wanna race? :) ha. Thanks for sharing.
Lilly—Girl—I am always reading more than one book. But when there are so many good books to read, what’s a girl supposed to do, right? (Boys, too!)
I had a 2021 project roll over into 2022 as well. But it allowed me to tick off an important first quarter goal very early. :-D
Milla—Way to go! I love that. Maybe I’ll be ticking off my first goal soon!
Hi , your puzzle looks beautiful! Yes, there is always something left undone, all I have to do now is tackle it and get it done. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Alicia—thanks on the puzzle. I do love it. We are expecting winter weather here this weekend…praying everyone is safe through this crazy big storm hitting the midwest and south and east. And yes, let’s tackle 2022!
Firstly I love the puzzle its beautiful. Oh and we have had a hot start to the year here right now in the morning its a little cooler but as its has a tiny bit of rain will get quite humid a little later.
I have projects left over from 21, 20, (and way before) I now just roll with the punches as they say. Although I really do want to start my diamond art picture I was given almost 2 years ago. I even bought the containers to keep the beads and the small table to do it on but thats as far as I got.
Looking for a new job :)
The puzzle is beautiful.
Nothing unfinished for me.
I became a first time grandma in October! So I am looking forward to spending time with Ben!
I make bead and sequin calendars. I have not finished the ones for 2022 yet. I need to work on them. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I hate to even think about all the unfinished things around here.
I loved the puzzle so much that I turned it into a computer puzzle and stopped the one I was working on to do it! Hmm….. Do I see a pattern?? 😉
I have puzzles & photo albums I need to get to but keep doing other things. I love that puzzle
I have games I stop & need to finish.
One of my goals is to get rid of many of the “such nice cardboard boxes”📦 I’ve been hoarding in the garage probably to make room for more!🤪 Thanks for the giveaway!❤️
Jenny–enjoy that warm weather! And hey, those beads and table and containers are still there–and they will be for when your muse strikes. Art is a creative and the final project will be beautiful-no doubt-no matter the year it’s finished.
Praying for you to find the perfect job!
Mary–Thank you. What a time to start all new things!
Mary–Thank you. What a time to start all new things!
Oh–I love being a Gigi! Went to a writer’s meeting today and people asked what I had been doing I said enjoying the grand kids. So fun. Congratulations!
Oh—I didn’t know that could be done. :) How awesome. It is beautiful, though. And symbolic in a way. Seasons come and go, and they keep on.
Amy–photo albums! I have a collection of old photos from my dad’s house and what a treasure. Trying to keep the important ones for the kids and grands. Making small, but meaningful, (I hope) albums to remember certain occasions and highlights. Thank you for sharing!
Sylvain—They’ll be there to finish when you’re ready. Have fun!!
Jeanna—Ha–my mom had that same collection. I need some of those boxes to fill with things from my closet to go to thrift stores!
This link should take you to it on Jigsaw Planet. You can adjust the number and style of pieces as well as if you want them to rotate or not. I am on the site every day and love it!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0ad3827dcc4c
Deb–Thank you!! I”ll have to tell my mom about it as well. :)
I’m one of those people who like to know for sure that I can finish a project before starting a new one. I don’t like leaving something unfinished because then I seem to think about it almost all the time.
I can’t really think of anything unfinished. The last two years have been so discombobulated that I think my priorities have been shifted and what was important maybe isn’t so much anymore. Now if you’re talking books….I have plenty to start in the first place, lol! They taunt me from my shelves ;-)
I love that puzzle! It took me a few moments to realize what I was looking at & then I was just blown away by it! So unique. I have a couple of jigsaw puzzles that I want to do, but have no table room to do so. I’ve been trying to come up with a solution for a while now. Maybe I can find a portable/foldable table big enough to set in front of me while sitting on the sofa :-) So far what I’ve found has been too small or much too expensive. I can find ones specific for puzzles (they have drawers built in for pieces), but they are well over $100 and I just can’t afford that. There’s one that tilts so you can sit to do them, however the cost of that one on Amazon is about $250!
I am looking forward to getting rid of my cataracts in a couple of months.
Trixi–Books and puzzles–we have a lot in common. Regarding the tables, I’ve seen those on Amazon as well, but because of the way I work the puzzles, from the top down, I can’t have one of those. And yes, they are pricy.
Have you thought about a card table? Look at some garage sales, or FB marketplace. I bet you could find one there. That might work then you can fold it up when you’re done with the puzzle until you start the next one.
Linda!! Yes. Praise and prayers for you and the upcoming surgery. What a relief it will be. Thank you for sharing.