Happy New Year! It’s that time again – a time for resolutions, new goals, a fresh start… whatever gets you excited to take on 2014. Whatever the new year means to you, I hope you make the most of it.

I’m not a believer in resolutions, or unrealistic goals that set me up to fail. I try to set 5 to 10 do-able goals for the year in 4 main categories: Me, Family, Writing, and Projects.

I have goals related to running (part of the “Me” category),  things I’d like to teach my kids, projects I’d like to try, and ensuring I make time for adult fiction reading and some writing craft books.

My big goals this year are related to writing. I really want this to be the “Year of the Agent.” (Doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?) My first novel is just a few hours away from being ready to send out for consideration. Watch out agents, here comes Amelia’s story! I also have some new ideas for my picture book manuscripts, so I’ll keep working on and submitting those.

What are your goals for 2014?

Thank you to all of you who have read our blog in 2013. We hope to keep posting interesting thoughts and information about the world of reading and writing. Best wishes to each of you for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2014!