OK, I saved this for when I had time to soak it in. I am all for your hotel holiday vibes. Frankly, I can't understand why people do Airbnbs, when there are dishes in those places and your fellow travelers might expect you to go out, shop, come back, cook, and put food on those dishes--the antithesis of vacation! Yours sounded like a rejuvinating stay. As for New Years, I was down with the stomach bug, so I already feel like I'm behind the 8 ball. Really, my only resolution for 2025 is to query my ass off. It's all ready, my novel and the query letter, etc.--excellent agents have told me as much--I just need to find the right person who loves this story as much as I do. Thanks for all you do here, Courtney!
Oof, sorry you had the stomach bug! And good luck out there in query land! We are doing a querying intensive this month— but sounds like you don’t need it. Rooting for you!
Definitely in the "alternative holiday celebrations" mindset. Love the idea of a hotel stay! My resolution? I usually just set goals, which for me represent more destinations than absolutes. Goal 1: Query novel #2 (11 queries out the door last week). Goal 2: Rewrite my incomplete novel #3, shifting from 3rd omniscient to dual 1st/past tense POV. Doing that with novel #2 had a huge positive impact (including more interiority) and may result in all kinds of changes. Can't wait!
I've been trying to get my family to cancel traditional Christmas for years because it just is not worth the stress, so I love this. Hoping the relaxation of a hotel holiday stays with you well into the new year xx
I saw a new age thing that suggested that 2024 was about wrapping things up/completion, and that 2025 is about birthing something new. My resolution is to finish writing my book proposal and sell my first book!
That sounds like a LOVELY way to spend Christmas, and one I might try to steal in the future. My best Thanksgiving was my honeymoon in Mexico - no family arguing over where we were going, and no in-laws forgetting they actually have to make gluten free food if they want my celiac-self to eat.
I've been doing word(s) of the year for a while now but they honestly ended up being not terribly effective. This year I'm naming three specific things to help me focus on exactly what matters to me right now: Write & Ride & Get Outside. I've written it on the mirrors and calendars, and while it doesn't mean that's all I'll be doing, it's where I want to put most of my time and energy.
It's nice to see that "good art takes the amount of time it takes" is resonating with others. That's pretty much where I am these days as well. I just cracked 35,000 words on the first draft of my novel, which feels like a milestone. I would like to resolve to finish the draft in 2025, but I didn't write all 35,000 of those words this past year (started in 2019, speaking of things taking time!), so I'm not sure that's realistic. I do resolve not to give up. I also resolve to keep working on my vignettes, and to try to land another lit mag publication. On the other side of my writing life, I lost my full-time copywriting job in September and the search for a new position is also taking the time it takes. In the meantime, I've been freelancing for my local newspaper and I'm going to teach a college class this semester. My challenge will be to stay grounded amidst all the uncertainty and to make time for creative writing within my changing schedule. I'm a Gemini, lol, so time management and organization don't come naturally, but I've found it helpful to ask someone to be my accountability buddy.
Thanks for sharing your holiday news, Courtney! .... For 2025, I vow to finish – finally finish – really finish (as in THE END) – my memoir in progress! And to get myself out into the world more.
I'm haven't been big on resolutions for a while now, I prefer to perhaps recommit to whatever process I have committed to because I have had to balance my desire to write more against my need to stay out of debt - a place I cannot go back to, even if writing is delayed. And all that involves prioritizing and reprioritizing time, which brings it all back to your resolution, which I will definitely adopt as my own. It's a very good one.
"Accordingly, my 2025 resolution is to absorb, believe and model to others that good art takes the amount of time it takes"
Just over here reading this five, ten, twenty times, Courtney... Oof. I *believe* this, but truly embracing it without wanting to crawl out of my skin is a whole next level I have yet to unlock. Sigh...
January will mark 5 years since I committed to finishing a novel. Since then I've written two books, signed with an agent, and have been on submission for the past 10 months. One of my goals next year is to find ways to monetize my writing or writing-adjacent work, be it through paid Substack subscriptions, or charging for other services that support fellow writers. And of course, continuing to write, revise, and hope that 2025 might be the year I finally cross over to "After the Book Deal" land. 🙏
It’s such a long, long road. If it is of consolation (it might not be!) I got my first agent in 2003 for a novel the agent was positive they could sell. That novel— my debut— did not actually get a book deal until 2012 when I was on my third (and current agent). Within that ten year span did I have a complete breakdown? Have to move out of NYC to the middle of the woods in Massachusetts because I couldn’t stand to be around other writers or even bookshops? Did I finally accept that I was never going to have a traditionally published book? Yup. It was a corridor of emotional hell to live through but I don’t think I would go back and change much because that decade of deep disappointment and learning and let downs made me not just the writer I am today, but the educator, too. Hang on for the ride.
I usually don't make New Year resolutions; instead I just try to keep on keepin on. Although a few weeks ago a writer friend shared this line from the poet Robert Haas: "Take time to write. You can do your life's work in half an hour a day." I will try to keep that in mind this year.
Also, yesterday I had a wonderful dream while napping in the morning in which the poet W.S. Merwin held me in a strong, comforting embrace in a movie theatre (while he wore an enormous orange sweater) and we discussed my decision to branch out to a new art form and how I came to that decision. I intend to branch out in this new art form this year: film!
Happy New Year, Courtney, and thank you as always for your insights!
Great post! And I really needed the reminder about art taking time. How much? (Shrug). Time. So great. For 2025, continue to work on my memoir. And other than books by friends, food, and running shoes, I'll buy nothing new.
I’m right there with you on that. No more new things. The universe agrees with me—we played Balderdash with my family in Georgia so I just went to our town dump (where there is a “swap shop”) and what to my wandering eyes should I find but…Balderdash! Only gently used ;)
That sounds like a lovely Christmas! I love nothing more than loafing around in a hotel with nothing in particular to do. Our Christmas was similar but at home. We ate our fav, steak-frites with herb butter. I chose the easiest dessert I bake, the good ole' apple crumble, which turns extra indulgent with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yum!
I like to sprinkle fresh starts throughout the year (especially on my personal New Year, my birthday). But, as this time of year is deeply reflective, something always comes up!
My vision for next year is that I am doing more of what I want to do — in all areas of my life. If I want to do it and can at that moment, it's done.* I'm kinda shocked, to be honest, that this feels new to me, but it does. And I'm excited! I also have two words for 2025: Bold and Rebel. :)
I love everything you say about "art time." I'll remember that as I work on my memoir throughout the year and enjoy the journey to the fullest. I know that when it's "complete," I will miss working on it and having it there for me to think about, tinker with, and be my place to explore my writing and voice. So, I don't mind taking the time it needs to manifest. I'm enjoying being with it.
*keeping kindness and my morals in mind, of course. ;)
What a fun and different and deliciously indulgent way to celebrate Christmas. That sounds divine to me. My daughters at that age, traditionalists though they are, would have loved it, too, with those very bribes. As for New Year Resolutions, I was a dedicated "resolver" for years, starting at age 9 or 10 in my little locked diaries, but now I engage in a thoughtful process of reviewing the past year, envisioning what I'd like the new year to be like, and landing on a word or intention for the new year. No resolutions at all--but rather a north star to guide me in that little word. This weekend I am doing the process with my older daughter, who is 32, with a free online journaling kit she found, called The Year Compass, https://yearcompass.com/ No doubt whatever I come up will be just as inspiring for my creativity as for any other aspect of my life.
We had a white Christmas in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the first time in 11 years so dreams DO come true (... just like the ones I used to know, where the tree tops glisten ... you get it). What caught my attention the most in your post is something I couldn't see ... the Newfoundland dog, my home province's namesake canine. I'm looking forward to your presentation in January at my MFA virtual weeklong program at U of Kings College. Happy Holidays! Brian
I may have to pin a version of that mantra up on my bulletin board this year...or tattoo it on my arm: "art takes thr time it takes." What a word. And what a lovely sounding Christmas! My New Year goals/resolutions mostly involve what I would call "keep going" in regard to several creative and personal projects, and taking the plunge to try out paid subscriptions on my Substack. And wrap my brain around my daughter exiting elementary school in 2025!
OK, I saved this for when I had time to soak it in. I am all for your hotel holiday vibes. Frankly, I can't understand why people do Airbnbs, when there are dishes in those places and your fellow travelers might expect you to go out, shop, come back, cook, and put food on those dishes--the antithesis of vacation! Yours sounded like a rejuvinating stay. As for New Years, I was down with the stomach bug, so I already feel like I'm behind the 8 ball. Really, my only resolution for 2025 is to query my ass off. It's all ready, my novel and the query letter, etc.--excellent agents have told me as much--I just need to find the right person who loves this story as much as I do. Thanks for all you do here, Courtney!
Oof, sorry you had the stomach bug! And good luck out there in query land! We are doing a querying intensive this month— but sounds like you don’t need it. Rooting for you!
Definitely in the "alternative holiday celebrations" mindset. Love the idea of a hotel stay! My resolution? I usually just set goals, which for me represent more destinations than absolutes. Goal 1: Query novel #2 (11 queries out the door last week). Goal 2: Rewrite my incomplete novel #3, shifting from 3rd omniscient to dual 1st/past tense POV. Doing that with novel #2 had a huge positive impact (including more interiority) and may result in all kinds of changes. Can't wait!
I've been trying to get my family to cancel traditional Christmas for years because it just is not worth the stress, so I love this. Hoping the relaxation of a hotel holiday stays with you well into the new year xx
totally relate
I think it's a surprisingly common sentiment!
So far it’s working pretty well! Super excited to see you in Mexico.
Oh, absolutely! (Still waiting to hear on Palm Springs...)
I saw a new age thing that suggested that 2024 was about wrapping things up/completion, and that 2025 is about birthing something new. My resolution is to finish writing my book proposal and sell my first book!
Fingers crossed for you!
That sounds like a LOVELY way to spend Christmas, and one I might try to steal in the future. My best Thanksgiving was my honeymoon in Mexico - no family arguing over where we were going, and no in-laws forgetting they actually have to make gluten free food if they want my celiac-self to eat.
I've been doing word(s) of the year for a while now but they honestly ended up being not terribly effective. This year I'm naming three specific things to help me focus on exactly what matters to me right now: Write & Ride & Get Outside. I've written it on the mirrors and calendars, and while it doesn't mean that's all I'll be doing, it's where I want to put most of my time and energy.
I’ll be doing the same three things!
It's nice to see that "good art takes the amount of time it takes" is resonating with others. That's pretty much where I am these days as well. I just cracked 35,000 words on the first draft of my novel, which feels like a milestone. I would like to resolve to finish the draft in 2025, but I didn't write all 35,000 of those words this past year (started in 2019, speaking of things taking time!), so I'm not sure that's realistic. I do resolve not to give up. I also resolve to keep working on my vignettes, and to try to land another lit mag publication. On the other side of my writing life, I lost my full-time copywriting job in September and the search for a new position is also taking the time it takes. In the meantime, I've been freelancing for my local newspaper and I'm going to teach a college class this semester. My challenge will be to stay grounded amidst all the uncertainty and to make time for creative writing within my changing schedule. I'm a Gemini, lol, so time management and organization don't come naturally, but I've found it helpful to ask someone to be my accountability buddy.
I’m so sorry about the job loss. I was a copywriter for 20 years and AI is absolutely leveling that industry :(
Thanks, Courtney!
Thanks for sharing your holiday news, Courtney! .... For 2025, I vow to finish – finally finish – really finish (as in THE END) – my memoir in progress! And to get myself out into the world more.
I’m cheering you on!
I'm haven't been big on resolutions for a while now, I prefer to perhaps recommit to whatever process I have committed to because I have had to balance my desire to write more against my need to stay out of debt - a place I cannot go back to, even if writing is delayed. And all that involves prioritizing and reprioritizing time, which brings it all back to your resolution, which I will definitely adopt as my own. It's a very good one.
Thank you, Mark! And thank you for sharing your own thoughts on resolutions.
"Accordingly, my 2025 resolution is to absorb, believe and model to others that good art takes the amount of time it takes"
Just over here reading this five, ten, twenty times, Courtney... Oof. I *believe* this, but truly embracing it without wanting to crawl out of my skin is a whole next level I have yet to unlock. Sigh...
January will mark 5 years since I committed to finishing a novel. Since then I've written two books, signed with an agent, and have been on submission for the past 10 months. One of my goals next year is to find ways to monetize my writing or writing-adjacent work, be it through paid Substack subscriptions, or charging for other services that support fellow writers. And of course, continuing to write, revise, and hope that 2025 might be the year I finally cross over to "After the Book Deal" land. 🙏
It’s such a long, long road. If it is of consolation (it might not be!) I got my first agent in 2003 for a novel the agent was positive they could sell. That novel— my debut— did not actually get a book deal until 2012 when I was on my third (and current agent). Within that ten year span did I have a complete breakdown? Have to move out of NYC to the middle of the woods in Massachusetts because I couldn’t stand to be around other writers or even bookshops? Did I finally accept that I was never going to have a traditionally published book? Yup. It was a corridor of emotional hell to live through but I don’t think I would go back and change much because that decade of deep disappointment and learning and let downs made me not just the writer I am today, but the educator, too. Hang on for the ride.
If you shared nothing but this all year, it would be worth it because it makes us feel less alone in the struggle. You're the best!
Aww, thanks Stanley!
Thank you for sharing all this.❤️
I usually don't make New Year resolutions; instead I just try to keep on keepin on. Although a few weeks ago a writer friend shared this line from the poet Robert Haas: "Take time to write. You can do your life's work in half an hour a day." I will try to keep that in mind this year.
Also, yesterday I had a wonderful dream while napping in the morning in which the poet W.S. Merwin held me in a strong, comforting embrace in a movie theatre (while he wore an enormous orange sweater) and we discussed my decision to branch out to a new art form and how I came to that decision. I intend to branch out in this new art form this year: film!
Happy New Year, Courtney, and thank you as always for your insights!
So lovely— thank you for sharing, Stanley!
Great post! And I really needed the reminder about art taking time. How much? (Shrug). Time. So great. For 2025, continue to work on my memoir. And other than books by friends, food, and running shoes, I'll buy nothing new.
I’m right there with you on that. No more new things. The universe agrees with me—we played Balderdash with my family in Georgia so I just went to our town dump (where there is a “swap shop”) and what to my wandering eyes should I find but…Balderdash! Only gently used ;)
That sounds like a lovely Christmas! I love nothing more than loafing around in a hotel with nothing in particular to do. Our Christmas was similar but at home. We ate our fav, steak-frites with herb butter. I chose the easiest dessert I bake, the good ole' apple crumble, which turns extra indulgent with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yum!
I like to sprinkle fresh starts throughout the year (especially on my personal New Year, my birthday). But, as this time of year is deeply reflective, something always comes up!
My vision for next year is that I am doing more of what I want to do — in all areas of my life. If I want to do it and can at that moment, it's done.* I'm kinda shocked, to be honest, that this feels new to me, but it does. And I'm excited! I also have two words for 2025: Bold and Rebel. :)
I love everything you say about "art time." I'll remember that as I work on my memoir throughout the year and enjoy the journey to the fullest. I know that when it's "complete," I will miss working on it and having it there for me to think about, tinker with, and be my place to explore my writing and voice. So, I don't mind taking the time it needs to manifest. I'm enjoying being with it.
*keeping kindness and my morals in mind, of course. ;)
I love this! Thanks so much for sharing and Happy (almost) New Year!
Thank you! You too!!
I, too, have a Hilary for whom I must do vacation planning.
Ha! And with one ‘L’ as well?!
Oh, yes. I do not acknowledge two L’s as the same name. Different worlds.
What a fun and different and deliciously indulgent way to celebrate Christmas. That sounds divine to me. My daughters at that age, traditionalists though they are, would have loved it, too, with those very bribes. As for New Year Resolutions, I was a dedicated "resolver" for years, starting at age 9 or 10 in my little locked diaries, but now I engage in a thoughtful process of reviewing the past year, envisioning what I'd like the new year to be like, and landing on a word or intention for the new year. No resolutions at all--but rather a north star to guide me in that little word. This weekend I am doing the process with my older daughter, who is 32, with a free online journaling kit she found, called The Year Compass, https://yearcompass.com/ No doubt whatever I come up will be just as inspiring for my creativity as for any other aspect of my life.
What a lovely tradition and what a brilliant idea for a journal— I’ll have to check it out! Thank you for sharing.
We had a white Christmas in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the first time in 11 years so dreams DO come true (... just like the ones I used to know, where the tree tops glisten ... you get it). What caught my attention the most in your post is something I couldn't see ... the Newfoundland dog, my home province's namesake canine. I'm looking forward to your presentation in January at my MFA virtual weeklong program at U of Kings College. Happy Holidays! Brian
Aww, Newfies are the absolute best! I’ve actually been to Halifax— it’s magical. Seasons greetings to you!
I may have to pin a version of that mantra up on my bulletin board this year...or tattoo it on my arm: "art takes thr time it takes." What a word. And what a lovely sounding Christmas! My New Year goals/resolutions mostly involve what I would call "keep going" in regard to several creative and personal projects, and taking the plunge to try out paid subscriptions on my Substack. And wrap my brain around my daughter exiting elementary school in 2025!
Ooof! High school around the bend? That’s major! Here’s to keeping keeping on.