A Fresh Start in the New Year

A Fresh Start in the New Year

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” 

With the start of every new year I write a list, not of resolutions, but of goals and prayers. I like to set both yearly goals to get things in motion towards achieving further long-term goals. I started my writing list in 2005. I knew the calling of God in my heart was to write a book. That was literally my only goal at the time. One book is all I thought I had in me. Thankfully, God's dreams for us are far bigger than we could ever imagine.

So, my initial goals were modest: 1.) Write a book, 2.) Get published.

Can you identify?

Most aspiring writers start out two ways. 

The Dreamer: Humble and puny. A learning sponge. Don't know much about how the writing and publishing world works. Feel like the whole thing is an impossible or next to impossible dream. Yet, they persist. Pray. Work hard. Failure comes time and again. But they keep writing anyway. Writing is who they are. A calling from God. It's in their blood. They won't give up or give in until they achieve their goal. Write a book. Get published.

The Know-it-Alls: Full of confidence fueled by excessive googling and good grades, these writers know that all they need is a big break. Get the attention of an agent or editor and they will jump at the chance to sign them. They chase agents and editors down at conferences, dominate table conversations, brag about their qualifications. They pick and poke at successful authors behind their backs, judging their works as inferior to their own, shaking their heads at the ignorance of the publishing houses that signed them.

Which one are you? The answer is probably both.

Aspiring authors are creatives, who are both dreamers and know-it-alls—in the beginning, at least. We can be shallow and prideful at times. Even braggadocious and self-centered. But we can also be helpful, generous, kind, and thoughtful to our fellows on the fellowship ship. With time and experience and good writing chops, writers who wish to become published authors learn as much as they need to know to achieve their goals with the best chance for success. Some are eventually contracted. Others opt for indie (self) publishing. Both goals are valid and achieve the same result. You become a published author, but with a high-quality product and a higher chance for success.

And it might surprise you to know that the beginning author goal is the same goal for every author no matter how many books they've written.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

1.) Write a book, 2.) Get published.

The next book is always the next goal.

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Linda Kozar

Your Madam President 2023

Writers On The Storm