Happy New Year!

2014! Hurray! A new year, new ideas, new conferences, new drafts, and new agents! Sensing a theme? The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to consider your mindset a "do over" in creativity.

After all the cliches about success and persistence are revisited, it seems that writers have to accept the fact that to be happy, they need to write. 

Publication is desirable and fun, but even if I had never been published, I would still write because I must. As I explained to someone over the holidays, I've had sabbaticals from writing over the years for various family and career reasons, but eventually the need to create (art, photography, and writing) builds like steam in a pressure cooker. Unless it's given an outlet, I'm not a happy camper. My life outlook and joy are dulled. 

So begin 2014 with a fresh outlook. Put a sticky on the bathroom mirror that says, "You are a successful writer. Write!" You'd be surprised how well that works. 

Happy New Year and success to us all! -Q