5+2 Things I Learned in 2017

New year … new opportunities. As most of us do, at year end I look back at what I achieved but mainly I focus on what I learned or had to re-learn, so here goes …

Some things will never get done, no matter how hard I push. I have several books I started years ago for NaNoWriMo that I haven’t gotten around to writing. This, even though I put them on my list of books that are gonna get published each year. I know He makes all things beautiful in his time, so I've learned that nothing gets done before it is ordained for me to complete it – even if I fight to accept what is.

I can do anything. I can! I will! I did 8 out of 10 things I listed in my planner at the start of 2017. These goals included fixing up a house, pubbing a certain number of books, getting a passport (my Jamaican friends know how difficult the process is to replace a lost/destroyed/stolen passport), and taking a trip. At times, I doubted I'd get some of this stuff done, but one reading retreat and six flights later (don't ask), here I am. I also learned all over again that I am a master at slaying impossible deadlines, but I'm aiming to slow my pace in 2018.

Knowing when to say 'Stop!' I think many of us would be amazed at the amount of time we waste aimlessly scrolling through social media sites. After realizing how many minutes I was using up by gawking at things that didn't concern me, I developed the habit of saying, No more, you’re wasting time! That has been enough to get me to pull back and continue with some productive activity I should have been doing anyhow.

Besides being a time suck, gazing over the fence can lead to comparison. Gee, Suzy Success is doing so well … and here I am, not even making a dot on this landscape. Comparison will steal contentment every time. I've tried over the past year to be more grateful. It is important to realize we're all on different journeys. I'm a long way from where I want to be as an author, but I'm also quite a distance from where I was when a publisher said yes just over seven years ago. With close to 30 books on the market, I've stayed consistent at something and I am thankful for that. As I've reminded myself over the years, this journey is a marathon and not a sprint.

Choose associates with care. This one is obvious, but at times we get caught in the trap of drifting into relationships that are not always mutually beneficial. Sometimes, it's only when I'm in the boat and rowing like mad that I realize not everybody is moving those oars in the same direction. I've learned that less can be more, and synergy is super important when I'm aiming for my version of success. 

And the bonus stuff I learned this year—When God says yes, no man can or will say no. I've proven this so many times in one year that it's unreal and I'm grateful for the many mountains He has moved for me. 

Also, even in small things, I can be a source of inspiration for others. When I don't believe anyone sees what I'm about, a random comment reminds me that while people might not say anything most of the time, they notice what I do.  I also tell people around me to operate with a spirit of excellence. Go beyond what's expected, even if you're the only one who knows about it. This way of doing things has rewarded me in amazing ways!

If you've made it this far, here's to success in 2018!

X-Factor - A-Z Challenge - Starting & Sustainng A Writing Career

X represents an unknown or unspecified person or thing. It is also the first unknown quantity in an algebraic expression.  An X-Factor is a variable in a situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome, or a noteworthy special talent or quality.

When we set out on our writing adventures, some of us have an idea where we want to start and end in terms of the stories we tell and a vision of success. Most of us though, have no idea where our writing will take us, and which book or special ingredient will provide the X-Factor that tips us over into being a well-recognized writer.

After reading tons of information on writing and marketing, what is clear to me is that nobody knows which component will shoot a writer to popularity, be it good marketing machinery, fans who are mad about our stories, or coming to the attention of a kingmaker who can turn a host of eyes on our work.

Apart from the love of writing and our individual vision of success, we are spurred on by the hope that whatever our X-Factor turns out to be, that it will one day move us from obscurity to recognition.

Do you ever wonder what X-Factor will be your source of success? Are you working consistently on the business end of writing to help the process?


There is no secret to success except hard work and getting something indefinable which we call 'the breaks.' In order for a writer to succeed, I suggest three things - read and write - and wait.
                                                        - Countee Cullen

Success comes to a writer, as a rule, so gradually that it is always something of a shock to him to look back and realize the heights to which he has climbed.
                                                      
                                                        - P.G. Wodehouse