by  Jennifer Chastain,  @JenniferCwrites

The new year is around the corner, and in two days we will close the door on another year. Do you review your goals from the past year? Achievements? Or do you focus on the items still glaring at you on your checklist? Those items not accomplished. Things you wished you would’ve done or couldn’t because, you know, life.

Life can be messy. With family obligations, work, kids, activities, church. Or even a book deadline. The list is endless.

For myself, if I dwell in the land of regrets, I’m more prone to procrastinate. The mentality is “I’ll start that project next week.” Next week arrives and I still haven’t started. Which results in one week turning into two weeks, into a month, and so on. You get the picture. I end up scrolling through websites or social media and have nothing to show for my time spent.

Frustrating, right?

What can we, as writers, do? What if we changed our entire mindset of how we look at the close of 2022? What if we didn’t focus on the unchecked boxes on our to-do list, but we zeroed in on the positive and determined that we could live each day with a more positive mindset?

No regrets.

Okay, so maybe you didn’t make your writing goal for the month of November. How many words did you write? Focus on the words you wrote.

Perhaps you’ve heard from the agent or editor on your submission, and they want you to change a few things. Don’t give in to negative thoughts. Instead, give yourself a high-five, you finished a manuscript! Think how you can strengthen your story.

No one ever said being a writer was easy. Learning to celebrate the small victories in our personal and professional lives is a monumental step towards contentment.

Here is just one example: My MBT Huddle group is exceptional. We share our burdens, victories, praises and our daily struggles. I know these ladies are praying for me and I for them. Support from like-minded individuals is a blessing and I believe one key to staying on track with writing goals.

So, what draws your attention from 2022? All the things you didn’t finish? Or will you find the silver lining in the small victories, the personal goals met?

Remember, give yourself some grace. Focus on what matters but also set reasonable goals for yourself and your writing. 

May your 2023 be filled with unexpected blessings and fulfilled writing goals.

Happy New Year!

Want to connect with Jennifer on social media or join her launch team?  https://linktr.ee/jenniferchastain

 

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The Mistletoe Contract

He needs a wife. She needs money. Is their modern-day marriage an answer to their prayers or a disaster waiting to happen?

Confirmed bachelor, Nathan Rutledge shut his heart to romance when he was forced to break the heart of the only woman he ever truly loved. Now, with his father’s retirement from the family conglomerate, the torch has been passed to him. But there are two problems—first, he needs a wife in order to take over the family business. Second, someone has been embezzling company funds. With the pressure mounting, and time expiring to find both a wife he can trust and the thief, Nate needs a Christmas miracle.

Forensic Accountant, Meredith Mitchell’s life is in a shambles. Her mother needs a lifesaving transplant, Mom’s medical bills have bankrupted Meredith’s meager savings, and she’s sold everything of value, but it’s still not enough. To make matters worse, she’s now tasked with discovering accounting errors for a new client—none other than Nathan Rutledge—the same man who gave her a broken heart for Christmas eight years ago.

Meredith wants to run. Nate wants the chance to right his wrongs. So, naturally, when he proposes a modern-day marriage of convenience, she balks at the idea. But he desperately needs a wife, and she really needs the money he offers. Is this the answer to her prayers? Or will this mutually beneficial arrangement re-open old wounds that can’t be healed?

Jennifer Chastain is a member of ACFW, ACFW-NC, and My Book Therapy/Novel Academy. Several of her other stories were finalists in the Blue Ridge Mountains Foundations contest and she was also a finalist in the Touched by Love contest, sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers. Her contemporary romance stories contain the themes of redemption, grace, and forgiveness. A hopeful romantic, Jennifer loves dark chocolate, Diet Coke, the Dallas Cowboys, a good book and romantic movies. On a side note, she will watch the occasional action movie with her husband. She and her husband have been married for over 25 years and they are permitted to co-exist with their black rescue cat. You can connect with Jennifer at: https://linktr.ee/CarolinaGirl94