Thanksgiving
is my favorite of all the holidays, but New Year’s Eve is a very close second.
Although I’m not big on making resolutions, I always create goals to kick off
the year. Lately, I’ve been thinking that each New Year is like a blank notebook
for me to fill in day to day, month to month. By the end of 2019, I’ll have
written books for readers, but I’ll also have lived my new story. What will it
look like? Who will the characters be? What surprises might come along? How
will I feel about ending another year’s cycle?
With two
Heartwarming book deadlines in 2019, I’m focused on the changing of the seasons
in my books, along with I see outside my windows as I write in my comfy “shelter
from the storm.”
The
characters in book 3 of my new Back to Bluestone River series will come to life when spring rolls around in their
Illinois prairie town. In the Upper Midwest, spring could bring surprise snow we
measure in feet not inches, or we could see the icy rain, sleet, and snow with the
ominous name, “wintery mix.” But my characters and I will manage to have mild
days infused with the earthy scents of spring.
It’s
about time Bluestone River had some new summer events and revived its Fourth of
July festival. In book 3, the hero and heroine are immersed in the lives of the
older and younger generations. I’ll have to make sure their summer notebook has
room for some romance—maybe around the Fourth of July.
As for
me, this I’m heading to New York for RWA’s National Conference, which I missed
last year. What a great celebration of books and authors, and I can’t wait to meet
up with old friends and make new ones. New York and all that goes with RWA
National will be prominent in my 2019 notebook.
By the
time the leaves start falling around me, book 1 of my series, A Family for Jason, will be out and Mike
and Ruby will be enjoying golden fall days and a few coldish rainy ones—and so
will I. Mike and Ruby have a few decisions to make before they can enjoy a
beautiful Thanksgiving at Mike’s house on the lake. But they might be overjoyed
and forever grateful for a surprise that makes that holiday extra special.
Meanwhile,
in book 2 of my Back to Bluestone River series, the characters will have
Christmas looming ahead. Will the hero finally lose the chip on his shoulder?
Will the heroine find work that makes her heart sing? I hope by “story-time
Christmas” the two can finally make up their minds about taking a chance on
love. No matter what, the covered bridge in Bluestone River will once again look
like this.
Every
year brings unexpected events, for better or worse, and whatever surprises emerge
will change my 2019 notebook in ways I can’t yet foresee. When the next winter holidays
approach and you look back, I hope your 2019 notebook tells a wonderful story, filled
with the easing of whatever burdens you face and the fulfillment of your
heart’s desires.
*****
An author of both fiction and nonfiction books, Virginia currently
lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She’s also a ghostwriter/editor and a coach for
other authors at various stages of their careers. A Family for Jason, Book 1 of
Virginia’s Back to Bluestone River series, is scheduled for release in August
2019, and book 2 will follow for the holidays.
Her other Harlequin Heartwarming
books include: Girl in the Spotlight, Something to Treasure and Love, Unexpected. She also writes award-winning women’s fiction, including Island Healing, Greta's Grace and The Chapels on the Hill. All Virginia’s stories explore
themes of hope, healing, and plenty of second chances.
You can add you name to Virginia’s mailing list at www.virginiamccullough.com and visit her on Facebook at Virginia McCullough and on Twitter @VEMccullough
A great post and an exciting year ahead!
ReplyDeleteThanks--same to you. It's starting off well, so far, so good.
DeleteHere's to a well-lived year.
ReplyDeleteI'll toast that. You have a great year, too.
DeleteSo excited for you! Two Heartwarming books!! You go, girl.
ReplyDeleteI've fallen in love with characters, and that make it easier to keep the keyboard clicking along. Thanks--and you have a great year.
DeleteSounds like your 2019 journal will be full of awesome memories! I'm so sad that I won't see you all at RWA this year. :(
ReplyDeleteOh, no. I was looking forward to meeting you in person. We seem to turn up on the same FB pages and loops and whatever. I hope you have a great year.
DeleteYou have a nice flow of getting into the life of your characters and keeping in tune with your own progress through the year. Have a good time at RWA National. Don't think I'm going to make it this year. Loved seeing everyone who made it to Denver.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I missed you in Denver--hope you have a great year no matter what you're up to and where you life takes you!
DeleteHappy New Year, Virginia! Looks like it will continue to be a good one for you. Congrats on the books-and stay warm.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good year, too. I'm enjoying these books for the new series. Thanks for the good wishes!
Delete