Writing Distractions

I've had a lot of writing distractions over the years, but the one I have now is beyond crazy. I have two cardinals attacking my office window on a steady basis. Instead of just looking at the relaxing lilac bush, I'm constantly hearing a peck, peck, peck as first the male cardinal attacks his reflection and then the female. I've tried putting more objects on my window ledge, but that doesn't seem to slow them down. Sometimes when I have the light on in the room, they falter for a while.

The first day I took pictures. Little did I know I would have countless opportunities to take them. Go away birds! It's so hard to concentrate.

Happy Writing in the New Year

Well, have you made one of those writing resolutions? Is this the year you vow to finish your novel? How about submitting your work on a regular basis? Writers have several options for meeting their writing goals.

With the four book projects I juggled throughout most of the year, my writing went by the wayside. In 2013, I made great progress on my unfinished novel, but in 2014, I abandoned the project. Will this be the year, I get back in gear and finish that darn thing? I hope so!

I enjoyed editing That Mysterious Woman and working with the talented authors in the book. In my opinion, it is the best Shaker book to date, and it had some fantastic predecessors.

I'm not editing Well Versed this year. Hopefully, that frees up a block of time to work on writing. In 2014, I didn't write much. Somehow I found time to write a short essay and submitted to Chicken Soup for the Soul. My story "Under Control" was accepted for Thanks to My Mom. I'm looking forward to the anthology and sharing a story that gives my mom the credit she deserves for keeping Jim company when he couldn't stay alone.

Happy New Year, writers, and wishing you a year of successful writing.