In With The New
It happened -- we turned the calendar to a new month and a new year! Welcome to January 2025!!
With the first week of this new month and new year, many areas of the United States are swimming in snow and shivering from cold. I pray safety for everyone in the middle of this winter storm, that electricity and heat will stay on, that people will stay off of icy roads, and that food pantries are well-stocked as people wait for the storm to pass.
My neck of the woods is to experience colder weather next week. We've received little snow thus far, which is concerning as one thinks ahead to summer, hot temperatures, and wildland fire potential.
A new year brings new opportunities and hopes and plans for the future. There are books I plan to finish in the first quarter and that I plan to start, write, and publish later in the year. That includes stepping into a new genre, that of cozy mystery. Interestingly, several of my local writer friends also want to venture in that direction, therefore, as a group, we're gathering for a day-workshop in the cozy genre, listening to a few speakers and watching some 'how-to' videos on YouTube.
I have two ideas for two different cozies, one taking place in Yellowstone National Park and another that my husband and I came up with after an eye doctor appointment last week. The idea began as a joke, but then we brainstormed and decided that it could actually work, using older adult characters, a karaoke bar, and of course, a dog! Likely a cocker spaniel. My husband and I have been blessed living with two cocker spaniels in the past, one named Sam whom I brought into the marriage nearly 25 years ago, and Cody, an older male we adopted together in 2008. Plus, Mary, whom we adopted in 2013, was a springer/cocker mix. We love these dog breeds, and we think a cocker spaniel would make a wonderful story character.
8 more years. Photo by Gayle M. Irwin
Another new thing I'm looking to do in 2025 is to sell books directly to readers, allowing people to buy print and e-books from my website. Stay tuned for more as I progress in that direction.
Lots to look forward to in 2025, from the cozy mystery workshop later this month to starting new books and finishing the sweet romance story that I had hoped to complete by the end of 2024. I'm looking to release it in February.
Now is the time to plan and acheive new goals. A new year, new prospects and possibilities, and new stories. Stay tuned!
I hope your January is off to a great start and that whatever you dream about and plan will be successful.
