When my oldest was in pre-school, he used to ask me what I wanted for Christmas on a daily basis. He did this with everyone. He is a kind, sweet-hearted person who wanted to make sure I received a gift. (Note: if he felt I deserved a gift. On days he didn’t agree with my parenting, he’d say I wasn’t getting said gift.)

The truth is my wants are all internal. This sounds like I’m going to start some great post about internal conflict and how that drives tension, paces a novel, so on and so forth. Really, though, it’s just an observation of something intangible I struggle with as a person and as a mom. I do have wants, but the only way to get them is through hard work, determination, and resilience.

I have goals for my writing career. I sat down in January and wrote out the direction I want and the (probably naive) steps I’m taking to get there. At times in this year, I’ve been discouraged. I’ve had moments of pause, a chance to take stock again of my expectations and decide if they are worth it. And I keep coming back to the work.

The pauses have been getting shorter, maybe I’m developing a thicker skin or the stories are coming too fast to waste on moments of indecision. Now, nearing the end of the year, I’m at a point of clarity again that I want this. I want to keep writing. I want to keep improving. I want to tell my stories and connect with people. I want to entertain.

I’m finishing up edits on the final project (my #NaNoWriMo book this year) to submit a proposal. If I manage to get this out the door (it’s a big if, I’d rather have it perfect and a month later than rushed and sloppy) in 2017 I think I will have smashed my goal for the year. And I’m excited in 2018 to get back to some of the work I’ve most enjoyed creating. And get back to publishing.

I have two new series to finish writing and editing. I have stories to share and I hope you’ll keep following along. This truly is the most wonderful time of the year, it’s a time for reflection, for family, for love. I hope you have a magical holiday season, I hope that you can work for your wants, and I hope that 2018 is your best year yet.