JB Lynn

Hijinks, Hilarity and Heart

GOALS

2022 Goals

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There’s soooo much I want to do in 2022!

I’ve got a couple of doozies like publishing 6 or 7 books and buying a house.

I also have some easier fun ones like, starting each day with a positive quotation, reading a poem-a-day (thanks to the Poetry Foundation for sending those), trying 22 new-to-me soup recipes, participating in a photo challenge, and creating a blackout poem daily.

Blackout poetry consists of taking a text (I use pages from a book that was falling apart) blacking out a bunch of it and what’s left is your “poem”. For me it’s a no-pressure way to jumpstart creativity. Here’s the first I did this year:

And the first soup I made this year was this carrot-ginger-coconut milk concoction. It was….okay (then again, I don’t love carrots).

The first quote I read this year was from Ralph Waldo Emerson: Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

I’ll try to remember to check in regularly with updates on the trail I’m blazing through 2022.

Last Quarter of 2020

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Wow!

Can you believe that we’re already entering the last three months of 2020? I still have soooo much I want to accomplish this year. What about you?

My top goals for this month include publishing 2 Spells Too Many at the end of the month and finishing Cursed Chicks 3.

I’m also in desperate need of some “unplugged” time so that’s a priority for this last quarter. This whole combination of pandemic and election season has been stressing me out, so I’ve been throwing myself into my work, but I need a break.

As for the rest of the quarter, I want to write Hitwoman 25 (OMG TWENTY-FIVE!!!!) and finish my passion project…and at least start Psychic Consignment 4. (Is it any wonder I need a break?!?!)

The Magic Formula?

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I was talking to an acquaintance the the other day who asked me what the magic formula for writing is.

After exerting ALL my self-control to not roll my eyes or scoff at her (in times of pandemic, I’m thinking scoffing is crueler than usual) I managed to tell her that the “magic formula” is work. Usually hard work that no one can even see that you’re doing until your “magical” success when you finish a manuscript, publish a book, or hit a list.

There’s no magical formula, but there IS some writing advice I give to everyone who asks.

Years ago I saw this advice from author Bob Mayer (or I heard him say it at a workshop…either way he gets the credit): I would do anything to succeed at _______, just don’t ask me to _________.

Most people can fill in both blanks pretty easily.

“I would do anything to succeed at skydiving, just don’t ask me to jump out of a plane.”

“I would do anything to be covered in great tattoos, just don’t ask me to face a needle.”

Those might seem like extreme and/or silly examples, but we’re not always the most logical of beings.

For writers they might look like:

I would do anything to succeed at writing a book, just don’t ask me to give up playing video games to make the time to actually write.

or

I would do anything to succeed at landing my dream agent, just don’t ask to face the rejections that result as part of the querying process.

Right now my personal statement is: I would do anything to finish this latest Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman book, just don’t ask me to be funny in the midst of all this worldwide suffering and turmoil. (If you haven’t read the books, “funny” is a prerequisite and I’ve been struggling mightily with this manuscript.)

What about you? What are you dreaming of? What are your goals?

Take a second to fill in those blanks for yourself.

I would do anything to succeed at ____________, just don’t ask me to _________.

If you can force yourself to actually do whatever the second blank is, you’ve got a decent chance of creating your own magic.

Six Chapters Available to Read!

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Have you been keeping busy? I have!

I’ve been writing and posting chapters for

a free serial

Make sure to head over to the CURSED CHICKS CLUB to read the first six chapters (more available soon) of ONE FLEW OVER THE RAVEN’S NEST.

You may think your mother-in-law is a witch, but RV’s really was.

And now there’s a very real chance she’ll be haunted by Mildred Bloodworth for eternity.

The only way to free herself from the curse that binds them, is for RV to make amends for Millie’s misdeeds.

Accompanied by a possessed Siamese cat, RV embarks, in her mother-in-law’s pink camper van, on a journey to right wrongs. But plans, like spells, can backfire.

RV drives right into a crime scene and quickly becomes the chief suspect in a mysterious murder.

Determined to prove her innocence, RV investigates with the help of a lucky penny, a wise owl, a reclusive turtle, and a magician whose agenda is unknown.

I’ve also been keeping busy with finishing up the story edits for Hitwoman 23! I’ll share the cover and blurb for that soon!

Plus, I just finished taking a great class, Unlock Your Five Star Future, for creative entrepreneurs with Mel Jolly.

Make sure to sign up for her newsletter to know when registration opens again. (HINT: it’s going to be very soon.) Even if you’re not interested in the class, you should know that the tips she shares in her newsletter make it a “must read” for me every week.

As you know, I’m always chasing down goals. Next post, I’ll show you how my crafting is coming along. (Prepare to chuckle!)

Week 2 of 2020 recap

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I’ve been contending with a cold for the last week or so, and that slowed down progress on some of my projects, but I’m starting to feel better and soon it’ll be full steam ahead again.

But it’s not like I got nothing done. I made progress on Hitwoman 23 and Psychic Consignment Mysteries 2 and 3. (Don’t forget to preorder your copy of GENTLY USED, STILL WORKS so that it can magically appear for your reading pleasure on the release date.). Gently Used is going to the proofreader next week AND the third book in the series is going to my story editor. Every step in the process makes them feel a little more real.

Speaking of real, we’ve finalized the cover for the third Psychic Consignment Mystery. I just love it and can’t wait to share it with you next month.

I’ve also written the flash fiction story for my next newsletter which is going out on the 24th of January. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter so that you get to read it. I’m also sharing the latest recipe I tried. Yum!

Also, I’ve been working on developing the new trilogy I’m about to start writing. I’m having so much fun with it…I hope that comes across on the page once it’s in book form!

Okay, time for me to go down yet another cup of tea in an attempt to control this annoying cough I’ve developed. I hope that 2020 is going well for you and that you’re moving in the direction of your dreams/goals/best life.

Week 1 of 2020 recap

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My writing year is off to a busy start.

I’ve been working on edits for GENTLY USED, STILL WORKS, the second of the Psychic Consignment Mystery series.

At the same time I’ve been going back-and-forth with the cover designer about the cover for Book 3. ( I just love it!!)

I’m also plugging away at the manuscript of Hitwoman 23 and having sooo much fun with it!

I’m also working with the cover designer to develop the logo for a new series…more information about that coming soon.

AND I’m working on my passion project book (which is separate from all of the above, lol).

Unfortunately, because I’ve been working so much, I’ve slacked off on one of my life goals for the year, which is to develop a hobby.

Did you set any goals for the year? How are you doing with them?

New to me

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One of my goals for 2020 is to try at least 24 “new to me” recipes.

To find out more about what else I have planned (including upcoming books!) make sure to sign up for my newsletter.

BAKED FETA AND GREENS WITH LEMONY YOGURT was my first attempt of the year.

I must confess that I don’t love kale, but it was good in this dish.

That said, next time I’ll sub in spinach or bok choy and just cook it on the stovetop since I didn’t think the feta added much and I’ll be taking that out.

If you want to find the recipe, you can find it here.

What new things are YOU trying this month? Do you have any recipes you think I MUST try?