Since we're starting a new year (Hello 2021!), I thought talking about beginnings would be a great topic for my January post.
I started writing a new book shortly before Christmas. Or tried to. I knew where the story needed to begin, I just couldn't get the how and where right. I tried the heroine's point of view, then the hero's, and then went back to hers since it's her story. Nothing stuck. I wrote four to five pages, discarded them, and tried again. Finally, finally, I hit on what needed to happen in a way that a reader would find interesting. Or at least I hope so.
That beginning seemed to parallel with some aspects of my life. I've always worked out and enjoy lifting weights. I also walk around 5 miles per day. The one area I lack - and don't enjoy - is intermittent cardio. Or Tabata. Which is how you burn calories.
And as a general rule, I eat healthy. Except this year, with being housebound, I let the healthy eating slide. Not completely, but enough that over the course of 2020, I gained 10 pounds. Yes, I baked bread and cakes and pies. I ate more pizza than I should have. And now, I'm once again starting over.
I signed up for a workout course with nutrition guidelines that starts Jan 1. I've worked with this coach before and she's amazing. She'll get me back where I need to be.
I just picked up groceries with all the healthy food. It's a lot of cooking. But I've done it before, and I can do it again. No resolution here. Just doing.
As we roll into 2021 and the vaccines continue, I hope by mid-year we can get back to some semblance of normalcy. Me, I'll continue to write and mask up and isolate for as long as necessary.
What about you? Is there anything you're doing differently in 2021?
Oh, and before I go, I have a new release out this month. The Widow's Bodyguard. Check it out.
Karen, I wish I had your motivation to cook healthy. Do you have a special cookbook you pull out or are the recipes memorized? Here's hoping those characters get on board too. Happy Writing to you in 2021. Love that cover.
ReplyDeleteI'm having trouble with beginnings--manuscript ones--too. I admire your dedication to exercise and wish I shared it!
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of your dedication. It's been too easynto let the healthy eating and exercise habits slide this past year.
ReplyDeleteI think we all let a few things slide in 2020 and that's okay! Good luck with your writing and all your goals for this year!
ReplyDeleteI plan on losing 20 lbs and praying the rosary daily. So far I'm doing ok with the latter. I haven't started the former!
ReplyDeleteNew beginnings are so exciting. Good luck with "just doing it" and congrats on your new release.
ReplyDeleteWishing you many sales with the new release. I'm a workout girl. Good for the body and the soul. You'll do it! Soon those 10 lbs will be gone.
ReplyDeleteI admire your dedication to exercise and healthy eating. I'm fighting a battle starting my new WIP. These characters are clear in my head and I'm determined to get them clear in the story. Congratulations on your new release. I enjoy your books.
ReplyDeleteNice cover! And good for you for your dedication to working out and healthy eating. I think of exercise as something like brushing my teeth - have to do it but it's not exciting. I know some people love it. I do love to swim, though.
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