I’ve always had a sort of love/hate relationship with the last couple days before the official new year begins.
It’s the best of times (I can finally relax since most of my work was completed before the Christmas holiday, and the house gets quiet after the crowds exit, leaving me long periods to ponder)…but it’s also the worst of times (the house is a little TOO quiet and after a good, long ponder, I’m pretty shocked, eyeballing that bottom line on my writing income).
Anyway, as I’m wrapping up the old year, I’m passing along a few writing-related gems that might help you wrap up things and get ready for the new year, too.
First, there’s my post over at the Muffin with tricks for cleaning out your inbox. Not to brag, but they’re pretty fine tips, I must say, even if I forgot to mention them last week.
Next, there’s one of my favorite sites, Literautus, for calendars and such, geared specifically to writers. And if you have trouble with little ones (or even big ones) bothering you during writing time, check out the “Do Not Disturb” sign you can make and hang on your doorknob. Get it ready to hang by January 1st!
And finally, I came across Jami Gold’s post of a plethora of worksheets (Worksheets! Yay!) to help you with plotting and characters and scenes and…well, you’ll really have to check it out for yourself; there’s entirely too much good stuff to list.
As for the depressing pondering over the bottom line of your writing income, let me suggest a nice, long movie instead. (I saw Into the Woods and completely forgot that I was broke.)
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
I just saw “Into the Woods” last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. (Although Johnny Depp died a little too early in the film for my taste.) Thanks for all the ideas. And have a great beginning of 2015.
Oh, I’m right there with you on Depp, Sioux. And I was blown away by Meryl Streep–is there nothing she can’t do???
Great advice on the inbox, and I can’t wait to see this movie, too!
Thanks, Tina, glad you liked ’em. And in MY inbox today, I realized (in looking at my blog stats) that I hadn’t signed up for YOUR blog updates. That situation has been remedied! 🙂
Cathy, sorry, but you signed up for the wrong blog. That wordpress blog is my old one. I’m at http://www.tinamcho.com/
Thanks! Just showed my daughter the trailer.
Dang, I thought it would automatically send me to your current blog! Thanks, Tina, I’ll try again. 😉 (Btw, I DID catch up over on your blog and saw where you’re selling teacher materials–they looked great!)
Ah, nothing like a good movie or TV series to distract us. Saw UNBROKEN this past weekend – so good! – and am now in the midst of a Game of Thrones marathon. In-between working, of course. 🙂
Have a great new year, Cathy!
Of course, Madeline. 😉 (I think I might need to squeeze in another movie or two…and happy New year to you, too!)
Yes, I love the calendar from Literautus. I have one on my desk. I use it and one from Vertex42 and one on my phone. I guess I’m a bit over the top with my calendars. We just saw Into the Woods, and it was fabulously well done! Next up: Unbroken. Have a wonderful new year, Cathy!
One can never have enough calendars, especially if one’s name is Suzanne. 🙂 (That movie’s next on my list! Have a wonderful new year yourself, Suzanne!)
I know exactly what you mean…I hate saying good bye to Christmas, but part of me always enjoys the beginning of a new year, with its endless possibilities.First up on my list is the Highlights contest (which always makes me think of you and smile!) and after that it’s back to the novel. Can’t wait to check out the Jami Gold link for a little help with that. But for now, Luke and Kate are home and we are gorging on movies and popcorn, and you just relieved any guilt I may have been feeling about that. 🙂
Glad I could be of service, Deb, but something tells me you weren’t feeling too much guilt over there…;-)
And my nemesis, Highlights…*raises fist into the air* I SHALL overcome. 🙂
I have movie envy. So want to see this one, but I’ll have to drag the mister kicking and screaming. If there aren’t car chases and stuff blowing up, he won’t want to go. And now I’m off to the Muffin for good advice from my Yoda. 🙂
Take Stephanie! You have to go, Lisa!!!! (The inbox can wait.) 😉
Happy New Year, Cathy. I look at my bottom line and say, “Some years I earn enough for an entire beach vacation, and other years I earn enough just to get us there (gasoline).”
With gasoline at $1.69 per gallon, I’d start driving today, but the weather is too fickle, even down south.
I hear you, Linda. But what can we do? Writers got to write (and if we sell a couple thousand words, all the better!) Happy New Year to you and yours!
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