Wrapping Things Up

This time of year, the phrase wrapping things up can have multiple meanings. Presents, obviously. Finished baking all those Christmas goodies. Decorations up all over the house. Check, check and check.

For a writer, though, wrapping things up has even more meaning. By the end of the year I need to finish the first draft of a new book, come up with a business plan for next year and start pulling together my tax information. This will be the first year since I began my publishing journey where I have no deadlines to meet. Instead of it being scary, I'm excited about the opportunity to explore new avenues toward publishing. But to do that, I need a game plan. Need to get all my x's and o's lined up.  How many books do I plan to write next year? Will they be historical or contemporary? Will I finally plunge into self-publishing or will I spend my energy finding a new agent? Can I find more ways to make money from my writing? The "To-Do"list grows longer every day.

A few things have disappeared from my list, but as soon as one item gets crossed off, it seems I think of something else that needs doing.

I'll get there. And if I happen to leave something on my plate, I know it will be there, waiting for me, when I return to my computer and desk. Unless, of course, it's pumpkin pie crumbs. They'll be gone. In the meantime, I'm going to learn how to chill.