In 2021 I told myself I would work like a maniac for two years (2021 included) in order to build my career. I’ve done that in spades and I’m not going to lie, I’m exhausted. I can’t keep going the way I am and hope to live to write all the books I want to. That’s why I want 2023 to be all about me–not in a selfish way, but in a self-care, finding balance kind of way.

I picked my Word of the Year several weeks ago after a phone call with my agent in which she begged me (her word) to slow down. She made me promise not to write anything new until at least April so that I can focus on marketing and give my creative self a break. The moment I realized someone had given me permission to stop working at a breakneck pace, I felt so much peace come over me. My muscles unclenched and started thinking of things I want to do for fun. (Remember that concept?)

So that is why my 2023 Word of the Year is health. I’m going to focus on my physical health by eating right and making time to work out; my mental health my slowing down on the writing and doing some things just for fun; and my spiritual health by praying and meditating more and reading related books that interest me.

Now, that being said, you know I am not one to let moss grow and I have lots of books coming out in 2023, so here are my writing and personal goals:

Writing

• Edit Catherine’s Mercy
• Do additional marketing for Sex and the City
• Market and successfully release:
  • Raising Our Voices (the League of Women Voters book)
  • America’s Forgotten Suffragists
  • Catherine’s Mercy
  • The project I haven’t talked about yet
  • The Arthurian Ethics book (if published in 2023)
  • Fierce Females in Television (if published in 2023)
• Write
  • Revolutionary War book (started)
  • 1920s book (research started)
  • Stretch goal: WWII (halfway done)
• Attend the Historical Novel Society Conference in June
• Speak as a member of the Missouri Speaker’s Bureau
• Learn how to better use TikTok
• Continue writing poetry

Personal

• Enjoy life!
• Lose about 70 lbs
• Get into a habit exercise and healthy eating
• Pay down debt (I promised my Chicago friends I would move there by the end of 2024)
• Get reaquatinted with my spiritual side
• Celebrate 20 years at my day job and keep it until I can write full time
• As for fun: go see more concerts (Placebo in April in Chicago!), theatre (Les Mis and Six this month!), dance, get into gaming again (maybe on Twitch?), etc.

And yes, this is me slowing down! 😉 Obviously, I have no idea what the year will bring, but I’m looking forward to seizing every opportunity and being grateful for every day and every blessing I’m given! Hope all of you have a great 2023!