Tuesday, January 3, 2012

The Art of Setting Attainable Resolutions, Part Two


So last year, I wrote a blog called The Art of Setting Attainable Resolutions, which was a fun, overdramatic telling of all the things I wished for in the coming year. If you haven’t read it, you really should. Talk about shooting for the stars! It started with a bang with my hopes of getting a top-pick agent, catching the eye of multiple publishers, and finally going to auction. Hehehe, isn’t it funny how over-the-top those goals were? Ridiculous, I know. Although . . . Wait a second! Perhaps it wasn’t so crazy after all! I seem to recall a certain Publisher’s Marketplace Announcement:

FICTIONWomen's/Romance
Golden Heart finalist Erin Knightley's MORE THAN A STRANGER, pitched as a Regency-style YOU'VE GOT MAIL, in which the heroine falls for an enigmatic stranger, unaware he is her brother's oldest friend and the same man she shared a childhood correspondence with before he broke her heart, to Kerry Donovan at NAL, at auction, by Deidre Knight at The Knight Agency (World English). 
Deidre.Knight@knightagency.net

(And yes, it still makes me giggly to read this!) I still can hardly believe how things unfolded this year with my writing—I'm such a blessed and lucky lady! Anyway, from there, I went on to wax poetic about my dreams of being stopped by Julia Quinn at conference…



O. M. G. That really did happen? It felt like just a dream! The only thing that would have made this year better is if I had actually managed to meet Colin Firth as hoped for in my resolutions list…


*Blinking*

Holy prophetic resolutions, Batman!! With the exception of moving to a summer home in Italy and shedding pounds, my ‘resolutions’ produced uncannily awesome results! All kidding aside, this past year has been beyond extraordinary for me. The amazing things that happened to me were a combination of luck, hard work, stick-to-it-iveness, and perhaps a little something more.

Did writing out my wildest dreams contribute to the success of this year? You know what, I actually think it did! There is so much to be said for the power of positive thinking, for putting your hopes and dreams on paper, and for aiming crazy high when shooting for our dreams. It certainly can’t hurt, and as last year’s resolutions seem to indicate, it may actually help.

So, what are my resolutions this year?

1) For my first two books to be a success (are you listening, Mr. New York Times Bestseller List maker?)

2) To learn to write a great novel in three months or less (stop snickering – it could happen!)

3) To have Hugh Jackman teach me to surf (hey, if mentioning Colin Firth worked, there is no way I'd pass up the chance to meet a wet, shirtless Hugh Jackman!)

4) To make enough money so that my husband can quit his day job and take up the two duties we agreed he would be responsible for if I ever became a sugar mama: to learn Italian and to maintain six-pack abs (admit it; you wish you’d thought of this one)

5) To develop a sugar-free, fat-free, calorie-free cupcake that is both satisfying and delicious, and actually helps you lose weight just by eating it (I promise to give the recipe away for free if I do, generous soul that I am)

6) To bring about world peace (I might as well use my magical resolution power for good, right?)

So there you have it, Erin’s New Year Resolutions, 2012. Now, tell me yours! What was your favorite success of last year, and what do you hope to accomplish this year?


To start the year out right, here is an absurdly delicious, absolutely nutritious recipe for Borscht, a hearty Russian soup. I made it today, and I have to say it was crazy good! As we all know, you can’t get anything done on an empty stomach, so make some soup, write your resolutions list, and get cracking!

I am more a baker than a chef, so when a recipe works perfectly as written, I don’t mess with it (too much, lol). Here is the link to Food and Wine Magazine’s Chunky Borscht: Click Here. Enjoy!

10 comments:

  1. I adore this post, Erin. I'm a HUGE believer in the power of positive thinking as well and am so happy for all your success. Here's to a Hugh-Jackman-teaches-you-to-surf type of year in 2012!

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  2. I cannot believe you never told me that you hugged Julia Quinn. In my mind that is WAY more exciting then Colin Firth! Your left side is your lucky side, apparently. Hee,hee!
    What a year you've had, sweetie and you deserved it. I am so happy for you, and can't wait for More Than a Stranger to come out. :)
    Okay, so this is the first (and probably only) time I've ever put this down in print:
    Goals for 2012:
    #1: Finish the book (sigh)
    #2: Get an agent
    #3: Final in the Golden Heart
    #4: Get a contract (I'm not confident enough to ask for auction, lol!)
    #5: Sign Little Dude up for preschool so I have more time to write and he gets more kid to kid socialization.
    #6: Lose 50lbs by next December 31. (That's actually not #6, more like #2.)
    Umm. I think that's it. (Ha!)

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  3. Well, Valerie, if Hugh teaches me to surf, it will be because I ran into him in Anaheim - so consider yourself invited, lol! Thanks so much for stopping by, I love seeing how far positive thinking (and a lot of hard work!) has gotten you, Ms. My-Book-Just-Showed-Up-On-Amazon!

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  4. Dana - great list!!! I have every faith in you may dear :) You should, however, pare down your weight-loss goal - I don't want you blowing away in a stiff wind!
    I can't wait to see how things unfold for you this year, you awesomely talented writer, you :)

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  5. Wow, Erin, can you sprinkle a little of your lucky fairy dust MY way? LOL 2011 was definitely your year and I can't wait to see what 2012 holds for you. Besos!

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  6. Don't forget, Sarah - you achieved 2 of my 3 resolutions yourself! Still, I know it was a rough year for you, but I have every faith that this year will be wonderful for you as well. Can't wait to get my greedy hands on your first book!

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  7. Great Job on fulfilling your New Year's resolutions. I wish you a 2012 of the same--especially Hugh Jackman and crazy successful novels.

    I'd like to do well in a really big unnamed contest, land an agent and write at least three more books this year. Not much to do, huh? :))

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  8. Marquita, if I meet Hugh, I sure hope you're by my side again! Sharing Colin was great ;)
    I have every confidence, my dear, that 2012 is going to knock your socks off! Enjoy the calm, because your life is about to go crazy!

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  9. Wow. I mean WOW. Amazing amazing -- it's all right there in print! Well, if Hugh Jackman agrees to be in my family adventure film that I am going to sell this month, then I suppose that lesson can be arranged;)
    I think I have to quote dad here when I read this post "God is good -- all the time." Here's to another miraculous year!

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  10. Dittos on what Kara said! ;-D
    EK, I hereby declare you THE RESOLUTION POSTER GIRL FOR 2011! I sure don't know of anyone else who can top those accomplishments...and knowing you and your determination, 2012 might be in the bag, too; although it looks like you've stirred up some competition.

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