Last year, I attempted to assign one word each month to explore for the entirety of 2023. It was a fascinating experiment that alerted me to things I wouldn’t normally have seen. But somewhere around late summer, family and work life got so demanding that instead of picking the words myself, the words picked me: too busy, more day job, less sleep, less writing, and so on until I didn’t even have time or energy to type I need a vacation into my laptop.

I should have known better. I’m not made for formula. Organization was not written into my DNA in neat little rows, but splattered in various shades of color. In fact, while trying to make writing into a more prolific career, I’ve found that if the experts say to do something a certain way, I should instead turn around and draw from my well of creative splatter because if everyone else is doing “it” it’s darn well not going to work for me. I’ve wasted so many years not being true to my design. Which brings me to 2024.

I’m going to be true to myself. I will not wear fake nails. I will only lend an ear to influencers who are excellent in their craft, not because they’re excellent at selling it. I will wear whatever weird clothes I want to. I will NOT join the PTA and will hold my head high (please quit asking, it’s not going to happen), I will do what I believe is right even if it gets me fired/laughed at/cancelled, and I will not write stories to appease political/cultural bullies. I will not apologize for following Jesus.

I will expect interruptions. I will pay attention to what’s true to the best of my ability.

The last several years have not only proven that powers beyond our control may throw our world upside down, but that we have been pressured to forgo critical thinking. Fear leads us. Money leads us. In truth, we have not progressed. I realize that statement is controversial, but we’re not exactly making head-scratchingly brilliantly-crafted pyramids with our bare hands anymore, are we? We quit picking on one ethnic group to pick on a different one. And every time, the accusing party thinks they’re in the right. Ladies…do you feel confused about certain issues that are labeled as progress? Why do we keep going around in circles?

So, I’m going to cut down on all the noise I can so I can think. Most importantly, I’m not going be a soggy follower. There is always room to rise. It takes a certain amount of courage to go against the flow, and courage can’t come from charisma or good sales records—it comes from being true to your calling. Think of Deborah and Jael (The Bible, Judges 4 and 5) who were risen up by God when the leadership of the day were afraid to do their job. In a male dominated culture, these ladies were true warriors.

Hello 2024. This is the way.

P.S. I’ve been mulling over the idea of whether or not to create a newsletter again. In the meantime, you can keep up with my latest updates on facebook and Instagram.

My book release was pushed from September to February of this year. Eternal, Everywhere, With You is a time travel, contemporary fantasy romance (with the most beautiful cover in all the land). Description as follows:

High School grads Dovie and Silas begin their summer with a shortcut and a wish. But what happens before they arrive home turns their world upside down. That same night, a stranger shows up at Dovie’s summer home, adding more questions to the mix. Supplied with a few peculiar clues to piece together, they quickly learn one very important thing:

Never wish upon a falling star.

Travel through time, suspicion and romance, as Dovie and Silas discover what lies beneath their own identities, and in the very dust of the earth.

Cover reveal is on the way.

Blessings for a noble and purposeful New Year!