Thursday, January 8, 2015

Ready – Get Set – Focus! By Terri Weldon

Terri Weldon
Happy New Year! Even though it is only January 8th, I’m sure you’ve read a dozen or more blogs about the New Year. Ways you can make sure you accomplish more in 2015 then you did in 2014. Hmm, almost makes me wonder if I should switch topics, but I won’t because I need this post even if you don’t.

One way I’m going to endeavor to achieve more in 2015 is by focusing. There are several areas of my life, both personal and professional, that need focus. I won’t bore you with the personal areas and if you’re bored by the professional – well, just pretend you aren’t.

I tend to allow myself to be pulled in too many different directions. Yeah, it would be easy to blame something or someone else, but the real crux of the matter is I allow it to happen. I have friends who are as busy or busier than I am and they seem to accomplish twice what I do. They stay focused, I don’t. True confession, sometimes I just want to hide from my writer accountability group. Oh, I can’t believe I said that, because one or more of them will probably read this!

Part of my plan to stay focused is to pick out the things that are the most important to me. No they won’t all be writing related, nor should they be. We need to keep a balance in our life and make sure God is always in the number one position. Also, remember there are some things you can’t control. You have no control over whether or not an editor will recommend your work for publication or an agent will sign you as a client. However, you can decide to write every day or five thousand words a week, attend a conference, and submit a proposal to an agent. And even though I know I’ve read this countless times before on Seriously Write, it bears repeating, pray about your writing. God is in this journey along with us.

In case you’re wondering, I just outlined what I plan to focus on in 2015. Somehow while it was floating around in my mind, it didn’t seem so overwhelming. Seeing it written down in black and white, well, all I can say is it’s time to FOCUS!

Leave a comment and tell me what your plans are for 2015. I’d love to hear them and welcome any and all tips on how to stay focused. Happy New Year!

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Misty Winslow is determined to find her prince, and she meets the man of her dreams through an Internet dating service. Or is he, because the new dentist in town also sets her heart aflutter.

It's love at first sight for Tyler Davenport, but before he can finish his first root canal, Misty is involved in an exclusive online romance with Wes99—Tyler’s online persona. How can he tell her he’s the man she’s been waiting to meet, and how rational is it for him to be jealous of Wes99! Soon Tyler's pulling out all the stops to woo Misty.

As Christmas approaches, Wes99 and Tyler both ask her to meet them under the mistletoe. Which man will she choose?

Terri is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and playing in the hand bell choir. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction.

She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has three dogs – a lovable mutt and two adorable Westies.

Terri is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Her dream of becoming a published novelist came true in November 2013 when Mistletoe Magic, released from White Rose Publishing. To learn more about Terri visit her website at www.TerriWeldon.com.