Tuesday, December 29, 2009

No Guilt!

I'm not a big fan of resolutions for myself. I understand the theory, but it just doesn't work for me. I tend to tinker with my life in little steps rather than giant resolutions.

Like many of you. I'm pretty busy. I tend to be a little OCD about my job. To me, teaching is more than a job - it's a passion. I spend a minimum of 50 hours a week on my job, but it's generally more than that. Sometimes a lot more! Then there's my family - hubby & 2 teens - and their lives. Plus nieces and nephews and all of their sporting activities to attend.

So, if I can make a resolution to increase the number of hours in a day, especially if those hours are just for me, I'm in! Other than that I think I'll just keep doing what I always do. My best. I'll write and revise when and as I can. When I'm able to, I'll blog and visit blogs of my friends. I'll squeeze in the Twitterverse for fun.

And I won't feel in the least bit guilty. The real world has to come first for me. I love, LOVE, my writing. Bringing characters to life on paper is so much fun. I enjoy torturing them with nasty plot twists and seeing how they handle it. I even like the way revising and editing make my story tighter and stronger - well most of the time I like it! :) Writing is a vital, important part of my life.

But, it's not my real world. So my resolution will be to keep doing my best, to keep living my multiple lives to the fullest. Let the fun continue!

How about you? Are you a resolution setter? In your real life or in your writing?

On another note, I've been lucky enough to be awarded two more blog awards! First thanks so much to the lovely Sara McClung at her blog: The Babbling Flow of a Fledgling Scribbler. She awarded me the Picasso Award (aka From Me to You Award).

The delightful Natalie Bahm at her self-titled blog awarded me the Superior Scribbler Award. Thanks so much, Natalie!

These ladies are fabulous bloggers and if you haven't checked out their blogs yet, do yourself a favour and pop over to have some fun!

50 comments:

Natalie said...

I think doing your best is an excellent resolution! I do like making goals (I make them for all areas of my life--like family, physical well-being, spritual well-being, writing, etc.) at the beginning of the year, but they are just goals really, not resolutions. They do give me something to work for though :)

And thanks for the mention Jemi! I hope 2010 is a wonderful year for you!

Jemi Fraser said...

Goals would work better for me than resolutions. It is nice to have something to work towards.

You're welcome & thanks again. I hope your year is spectacular!

Tamika: said...

When you find what works for you that is awesome. I think I still have some stretching room. I could be giving more to my family, my writing, my dreams. I want this year to pour myself into all the arenas that God has called me to. Thankfully there are only four spaces that warrant that outpour- phew!

Jemi, I hope you have a marvelous New Year!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I've been lobbying for a forty-hour day for the past two years - I could use the extra hours as well!

Balance is a good goal, too.

Jemi Fraser said...

Tamika - I agree! I think 4 spaces is a good number :)

Thanks - I hope you have a wonderful year as well!

Jemi Fraser said...

Diane - Maybe if we all pool our resources, it'll happen :)

Balance is always good - but not always easy!

Elspeth Futcher said...

Resolutions are wonderful, but such guilt inducers! I'm going to try to write more and get some more finished projects under my belt. It's time to move on to the next step. *placing feet firmly on the ground and facing the future with a steady stare*

Elspeth

Jemi Fraser said...

Elspeth - they certainly are! And I don't have enough time for guilt :)

I agree though - I'm hoping to polish up a couple of projects and then move on to the querying stage this year!

VR Barkowski said...

When you do your best, there's no room to feel guilty, it's one of the many benefits. :)

Count me in for that extended day!

Jemi Fraser said...

VR - I agree - and it helps me sleep at night too :)

Anonymous said...

I try to avoid resolutions. In 1997, I read a Glamour magazine editorial (I posted it on my blog) about reflecting rather than making resolutions. Every new year I read it.

However, I love your resolutions and think I may copy them :)

Happy New Year.

Jemi Fraser said...

Carolyn - reflecting is good. It's nice to see how far we've come. I try to do it often with my students at school (as well as doing it myself).

Hop on the non-resolution/no-guilt train!

Unknown said...

My resolution is to stop making resolutions. Perhaps then, I may navigate my way to a publishing house. By means of getting horribly lost knowing me, but nevertheless :)

All the best to you, Jemi, for 2010!

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Love your resolution!! So perfect because it's totally doable! Congrats on yoru awards and happy new year!

Jemi Fraser said...

Love it Q! I know you'll get there - hopefully in 2010. Wishing you a great year!! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Carol - thanks :)

Hope you have the best of years in 2010!!

Mari said...

Hi from Twitter!

I'm not much into resolutions either, but I agree with carolynyalin that reflection is always good. Btw Carolyn, would you share the article you mentioned? If you read it every year, it must be good indeed! :)

Ah, many congrats on your blog awards!!! I see that they were well deserved. ;-)

Jemi Fraser said...

Hi Mari! The article Carolyn mentioned is great - here's the link - she posted it on her blog http://carolynyalin.wordpress.com/

Thanks Mari, you're so sweet :)

Anonymous said...

New years resolutions for me this year = anxiety HA! Jokes.

Hmmm I would say my resolution is to stop procrastinating and start querying some of my stuff.

It's one thing to be proud that you've written something and it's entirely another to show it to the world and want to be taken seriously.

I love coming here and reading your words Jemi. It brings me comfort to know that I'm not the only mum out there with long hours at the day job who strives to bring my characters to life!

Good luck and I know you'll suceed! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Layna - I've got to get better at querying too. I've only sent out 10. I'm back to tinkering with the project again. It takes a lot of courage to send out those queries.

Thanks, Layna - we moms have to stick together!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Thanks for the links, Jemi! Nice resolutions, too.

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder

lisa and laura said...

I love the no guilt resolution! Fabulous. I think I might even have to borrow it for myself. Happy New Year Jemi!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Elizabeth! Hope you enjoy them :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Lisa & Laura - You go right ahead & borrow it! The less guilt in the world, the better :) Happy New Year to you both!

Terry Odell said...

Resolutions don't work because they're always too lofty. I make them for my husband instead.

I've addressed realistic goals on my blog today (Wednesday)

Jemi Fraser said...

I just read your blog Terry! Great goal setting advice :)

I like the thought of making them for my hubby. Hmmm.... Thanks!

Helen Ginger said...

Congratulations on your award, your sensible outlook on life, and your enthusiasm. And when you figure out how to get more hours for yourself in each day, let me know. That's a resolution worth making and keeping!

Helen
Straight From Hel

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Helen! I'm still working on the more hours thing, but I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm not a resolution maker per se. Two years ago, a wonderful writiing buddy introduced me to words of the year.

Last year mine was no. I learned a lot about when and how to say no. In the end, the benefits have been dramatic. It freed up more time for me to write and allowed me to be more effective for the really important things in life.

I'm kicking around the words integrigty and truth for 2010. If you visit my blog, I have a thought provoking quote about personal integrity that I think sparks the idea for these two words. I just need to figure out how they apply specifically to me and all the hats I wear.

Thanks for sharing your resolution and goals for the upcoming year. I am confident that you will meet them admirably!

Jemi Fraser said...

Cat - I like the idea of key words. I stink at "No" and really need to improve my use of it!

Integrity & truth are great words as well - I'll check it out. Thanks :)

Yvonne Osborne said...

I intend to be a most serious scribbler in 2010. Congratulations on all your awards. What are you reading??

Mason Canyon said...

Congratulations on the two awards. Way to go. Hope you have a super, safe and Happy New Year.

Anne Riley said...

I enjoy the feeling of a new year - starting fresh, as it were. I don't normally make resolutions, but I did this year, and it was the most cliche one ever! I resolved to lose 10 pounds! Ha! I just haven't been maintaining myself the way I should, and it gets me excited to set a goal with a definite starting and stopping point. I'm not overweight, but I'm on the heavier side of normal, and I don't want to cross that line!

Jemi Fraser said...

Yvonne - that's a great intent! I like it :) Right now I'm reading Treason by Peter David from the Star Trek New Frontier series. Very good :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Mason - Thank you so much! Enjoy a magical new year!

Jemi Fraser said...

Anne - good for you! It works for so many people. I think anything to get us healthier is a great resolution. Good luck with it :)

Caroline Starr Rose said...

Your students and family are so fortunate. Here's to another great year!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Caroline - that such a sweet thing to say! :)

Cheers to 2010!

Jean said...

Hon, you are amazing. Look at all your awards! You are rocking this blogging thing. I think tonight, being New Year's Eve, you should just sit back and look at what all you've accomplished this year! It's commendable.

Happy New Year.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Jean - you're such a sweetheat! I've had so much fun blogging! I actually didn't expect it to be so absorbing or as much pure fun :)

Wishing you all the very best in 2010!

Patricia Stoltey said...

Hi Jemi.

Just popping by to wish you a healthy, happy, and successful new year.

Although I do set goals for myself, I no longer like to think of them as resolutions. The goal-setting exercise is done several times throughout the year and helps me focus.

Jemi Fraser said...

Hi Patricia - I like goals much better than resolutions as well! I tend to tinker on a on-going basis too.

Wishing you all sorts of joys and successes in the new year :)

Sage Ravenwood said...

Wishing a wonderous New Year for you dear friend. May love and beauty follow you into the new decade! (Hugs)Indigo

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Indigo! What a lovely sentiment - I wish you the same in return :) *hugs*

Stephanie Thornton said...

I am most definitely not a resolution setter. Every resolution I've ever made has fallen by the wayside. Instead, I set goals for myself and work my tail off to achieve them. Of course, I try to set ones that are manageable- I learned that the hard way.

Happy New Year!

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephanie - I think that's a great plan! Working towards success instead of worrying about failure is always positive. Have fun with those goals :)

Enjoy the New Year!

Anne Spollen said...

Great comments! Amazing how many of us have trouble with the query phase. It always reminds me of having to speak to someone I don't know at a party...maybe we'll all change in 2010 - in any event, Happy New Year!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Anne - querying is not easy stuff! I'm like that with strangers too :)

Hope the new year brings you some happy surprises!

The romantic query letter and the happy-ever-after said...

Felicitations on your award and every happiness in the New Year.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you Simone - all the best to you as well :)