Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Out With the Old and On With the New

I'll be taking Thursday and Friday off from the blog, so I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope your 2010 is full of joy, that you succeed in keep your resolutions (if you make any), and that all your dreams come true.

The high point of 2009 for my husband and I -- we became grandparents for the first time. Our adorable granddaughter is clear out in Boston, so I foresee more travel in our immediate future.

There were plenty of other good moments, including the release of my second Sylvia and Willie mystery. Starting this blog and reaching out to the world through Twitter and Facebook have brought new friends and lots of fun into my life. And the suspense novel I began working on a year ago is finally going well (after I dumped about 15,000 words and rewrote the first few chapters).

The low points were the loss of my much-loved sister-in-law (my brother's wife), my husband's stepfather, and a very dear older cousin. I'd like it very much if all the rest of my friends and relatives could stay healthy and be careful so they stick around through 2010 and beyond. Please.

I'm not putting together a list of resolutions for 2010, other than the goals I'd already set for myself. The big one is getting this novel finished and ready to pitch to an agent at the Northern Colorado Writers Conference in March. This year will be a submission year. I have two manuscripts to market.

So on that note, I wish everyone great success in their projects of choice. And for the writers among us, remember: BITHOK -- "butt in chair, hands on keyboard."

13 comments:

Elspeth Futcher said...

Best wishes for the up-coming year, Patricia! I shall remember BITHOK.

Elspeth

Jemi Fraser said...

BITHOK - I like it!!

Hope the new year brings you lots of joy and success!

Terry Odell said...

Happy New Year to you. May 2010 bring you everything you wish for. (And I always use BICFOK)

Unknown said...

A great New Years back at you.

Patricia Stoltey said...

I'd like to claim BITHOK was original, but the phrase has been around for quite a while. Yes, Terry, I originally heard it as BICFOK and I had that pasted on my wall over my computer at one time. Unfortunately, I found it very distracting because I couldn't say BICFOK without thinking I should have my mouth washed out with soap. LOL

Patricia Stoltey said...

For those not in the know, BICFOK is "butt in chair, fingers on keyboard."

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Sounds like a year with lots of ups and downs, Patricia. I'm hoping 2010 will be a happy and successful one for you!

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder

Mason Canyon said...

Here's wishing you much success, happiness and good health in 2010. I love the BICFOK and BITHOK.

If you have a chance, stop by Thoughts in Progress I have an award to pass onto you.

Have a safe and Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

Here's hoping your new year provides you with the wishes of health and happiness for your family and friends. It's never easy to lose one you love.

Good luck on submitting!

Sylvia Dickey Smith said...

And the same to you, too!!

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

Isn't being a grandparent great! Good luck on reaching your goals.

Happy New Year!

Tim Northburg said...

Way to go Pat! I hope 2010 is great for you!

Donna Volkenannt said...

Hi Patricia,
I'm also a writer, so I appreciate your advice. I've heard other versions of BITHOK.
It's the ABCs of writing--Apply Butt to Chair--but the idea is still the same.
Happy new year and good luck with your submissions!
Donna Volkenannt
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com