First things first, Happy New Year!


Now that the crazy season of Christmas and New Year is over, I feel as though I can finally take a breath and regroup.


2014 was an amazing year. One that was beyond my wildest dreams! Looking back, I find it hard to believe all that I accomplished. Two whole books written, two books edited, two book launch parties (for the same book!), one writer's conference, one self development course plus everyday life with the kids, my wonderful husband and my great friends. I feel incredibly grateful.

I won't pretend, however that it was all sweet and fluff. There were (many) moments of panic and 'what am I doing?' and self doubt. My family had to endure a crazy woman and extremely messy house for probably most of the year. I had to ignore my friends when my deadlines loomed. My poor husband wrestled all three kids away from me days at a time so I could quickly type the last words of my manuscripts or pull off my edits in time. There is no way I could have gotten through this year without the help or understanding of a very good man.

I was blessed with a visit from my mom and her sister when my first book released. They stayed for two weeks and we had the BEST time. (except perhaps when my car-sick Aunt had to endure New Zealand roads!)

Just before my kids finished school for the year, I managed to complete the manuscript for my third book. I was so happy to get it done before Christmas. I was able to take the whole of the Christmas/New Year season off writing and just be, and enjoy my family. Until yesterday I hadn't gone to town since the 21st of December.  Ah, bliss.

I have many goals for 2015. The first one is to complete the next two books of my contract. By the end of this year, I could have three more books out into the world. I also want to spend my time more wisely. At the end of last year I started getting up at 4 am in order to get a few hours of writing in before the kids got up. I NEEDED to do this because I am the Queen of Procrastination there was no way in hell I was going to complete my manuscript by my deadline if I didn't. I don't want to be THAT author who always asks for extentions. This year, starting tomorrow, I will reinstate my early mornings, but this time I am going to get up at 5:30 instead of 4 am. I can always adjust my time as I see fit. My next book is not due to my publisher until May so at the moment I'm not all panic stations. Talk to me in a month and my tune may have changed. :)

I would like to finish my novel with more time to spare in order to edit it more in-depth before sending it of to my editor. I fear some things I send her are very rough.

One of my other big goals is to tackle book marketing. I will be the first to admit that I am absolute crap in this area. I am conflicted about what exactly I should be doing. I don't want to be one of those annoying people that only talk about their books and shove Buy links in everyone's faces. But I also don't want to be the author that no one knows about because they never even mentioned to anyone they wrote a book. Okay maybe that last one I will never be accused of being, but I don't want to slip into obscurity because I don't make any effort.

On top of all that, I have the very lofty goal of reaching the New York Times Bestseller list. At the moment, as things are going there is no way this is going to happen. But you know what? 18 months ago, I thought there was no way I was going to be a twice published author with another book soon to be released and two more on contract. So why not dream big? Isn't that what life is about? Who wants to stay in the current situation they are in? Doesn't everyone want to strive for something better? I do. I know what I want. I might not know exactly how to get there, but I know that anything is possible. 2014 proved that to me without a doubt. We are all meant for greatness. We just have to find what it is we are meant to be great at. I am an author. That's all I need to know.

I am fat. Okay, I said it. I am fat. And, I'm sick of it.

I know everyone says that their New Year resolution is to lose weight. I don't believe in resolutions, purely for the fact that I don't ever stick to them. And let's be honest, who does? I challenge you to name one person you know personally who has stuck to their resolutions for a whole year... My point exactly.

Anyway, back to being fat.

I didn't use to be fat. Actually I was extremely skinny when I was in high school. When I was in college instead of putting on the freshman 10, I actually lost it. At one point I was a size 7. I girl my height should not ever be a size 7. I looked anorexic. It was grotesque.
That's definitely not my problem at the moment.

If you were following me last year this should come as no surprise to you at all. Just check out all my baking photos. I can't even blame having kids. I can only blame the chocolate cake...and the cinnamon buns.

So now that I have totally humiliated myself to the world, I'm going to throw out my New Year's goal. I am going to be 65 kgs my the end of 2015. That will mean I have to loose 20 kgs. But here's the kicker. I'm not going on a diet.

That's right. No diet.

I don't see the sense in starving myself to reach a certain weight only to blow back up to the size I am now because I'm starving and can't maintain that kind of discipline. I know from experience I can't do it. I envy people who can, but that's not me.

You may be wondering exactly how I am going to lose 20 kilos by not dieting. I am going to change what I eat, but I'm not going to be cutting out any food. Well, at least not at first.

There is a man called Jon Gabriel. He teaches an eating method where you add things to your diet rather than take them away. As you add these certain foods your body starts to crave good things and by default you stop eating the crap. He also recommends using meditation to visualize your perfect body and perfect life; something that will fit in perfectly with my writing goals. I will be following The Gabriel Method. I start tomorrow. Who's with me?

You can find The Gabriel Method here.

It might not be a big one, but at least it's something to start with.

I will be posting on here twice a week; I know, it's a big step for me. ;) Once a week I will be posting about what I am up to writing wise, whether it's how I'm coming along with my big writing goals, word counts or teasers for my up-coming books. The other weekly post I will be sharing my life with you starting with my weight loss goal. But I'll also talk about my kids, my life on the farm and my (non-existent) social life.

I do hope you'll join me.