New Year Wishes

I've never been fond of making new year's resolutions or goals. I think I've tried it several times years back, but what bothers me about them, is a few week's later they're all forgotten in the busyness of life once we're back into our routine. So, what's the point? Goals have to be inwardly driven, not some list scribbled on paper. For those who love putting their inward goals on paper or file, I admire you.

So instead of making new year's resolutions, I'm going to put down some wishes for the new year. I've been reading some fantasy novels and am into magic and supernatural, so I don't feel like anything serious like a goal, but rather a wish or a prayer. They are not all writing wishes.

1. That I would be a better homeschooling mom, more devoted to my kids, and more patient and efficient as a teacher.
2. To have the strength to cope joyfully with those household tasks that have pulled me down at times.
3. That I would find a group of friends to share my spiritual aspirations and longings with.
4. That I would get more publishing contracts and make good sales from my books.
5. That I would become a better blogger and writer.
6. That my sister would get her writing and publishing dreams.

Short and sweet.

Now to think over the past year. 2012 has been a wonderful year to me as far as writing goes. I've received two publishing contracts and that has inspired me to continue on my dream of writing, which I love doing so much. I know that I have a lot to learn still, but there's nothing like getting your name out there. It's not the same as self-publishing unless you have the finances to hire a professional editor, cover-designer, and marketer. I can't help remembering Joel Osteen's word at the beginning of the year, that this would be the year of breakthrough. It has been in several ways - with my writing and my husband obtaining a long-needed promotion at work. It hasn't been an easy year. There have been many challenges that I've had to face inwardly and in other ways.

Here's to a wonderful 2013, where your writing wishes and goals come to fulfilment. For those determined and focused people who set definite goals and keep them, may you have the joy of reaching what you have aimed for. For those who like to breathe a wish or a prayer, may you have everything you need.

Why I Love Reading Romance so Much



Photo courtesy of Dan from freedigitalphotos.net



I just keep going back to them. No matter how much I try to read something else, even Ted Dekker's amazing fantasy novels, there's nothing I enjoy as much as reading romance.

There's got to be a good reason for it and I'm trying to think of it. So, this is just a silly post with my musings behind the reasons why I love reading romance (and therefore love writing it.)

Let's go back to earlier in my life and get a little personal. As a teenager, I didn't have much luck with boys - maybe because I was ultra-shy, wore braces, and didn't know how to style my hair right. Not that I wasn't interested. And I used to blush when my parents watched a romance movie, wishing to disappear into the ground. Then my now hubby asked me on a date. He was younger than me and in the beginning, I didn't think we were suited. But we had a great romance. We also had some challenges along the way as I pushed him away too many times, but thankfully he didn't give up. I was the typical heroine in a romance novel with all those barriers in her mind to her happily ever after. Even up to my wedding day, I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing - no reflection on him. The romance didn't end on that day, and his love has warmed up my heart so much that he's made me into a hopeless romantic. Before I met him, I never used to cry in movies. Now I cry for the silliest things - it's so bad that the whole family watches me in the emotional parts to see if I'm crying.

So because I've had my own romance with its many ups and downs, I'm fascinated with the story of others and how they get to their happily ever afters. I love happy endings. I think we're all wired deep inside to want a happy ending. I think the only reason someone doesn't want a happy ending, is that so many books do have that. They just want to be surprised. I find all the surprises in the middle. Sometimes I want to know the ending else I won't enjoy it. (I like to watch Bachelor/Bacherlorette only if I know who they choose at the beginning of the show, and I'm not interested if they break up in the end.) At least with a romance, I know it's going to end right.

This whole world is going to ultimately end happily. That's what I believe from my faith. I believe God is reaching out to everyone, and He has a wonderful future planned. He is the great author of romance and is forever wooing the people on the planet to Him. Maybe my love of romance comes from His heart.

Romance is wired inside the female heart so she can be the catalyst to a strong family and marriage. We all have it embedded in us but some haven't tapped into that part of themselves or have put it aside because of hurt. Which woman doesn't want a man to sweep her off her feet and make her feel like a goddess? We all do. And maybe we can learn a little from the books we read and write. Learn how to let our hearts open to our loves and to love in life.

Why do you like to read romance? I'm keen to know.

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