Veronica's #WritersDiary: 2023, Here's to a Fabulous New Year!

Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.

– Paul Coelho

Well, hello, 2023 and a very happy January to one and all! This is a special month for me, because yesterday, I turned another year older. 🎂🎉💃 #Capricorn

It was the BIG 6-5 this go round. A good time was had by all at the Ritz in Laguna! It's tough being an early, January baby--before you know it, Christmas and New Years are over, and you're a year older all in one fell swoop, LOL. So, what shall I do for the remainder of this new year? 🤔

Well...

Since I've now officially entered my 'golden years', from here on out it's a seize the day attitude for me! I've declared 2023 a year of #travel adventures and enjoying the great outdoors. First trip of the year (next week in fact) is: Mammoth, Lake Tahoe & cold & snow!❄🏔 🧳

Writing Murder on the Runway re-awakened another love of mine, fashion. I went full throttle back on Pinterest, hunting down fashionista's I followed before the world shutdown, reducing my wardrobe to T-Party yoga gear. I'll be heading back to the spa for facials, manis/pedis, and the occasional massage too. Life's short, get the #mudpack! 💋👠

I've started in on my 2023 #TBR and have already added more books to this impressive list. I'm in mystery land utopia!! 📚

"In a weak moment, I have written a book"

Margaret Mitchell, GWTW

2022 was a prolific year of writing for me, despite a horrendous case of writer's block at the beginning of the year. Once the word-flow dam broke, I was able to write not one, but two books in my cozy series; co-author a Grand-Prize winning paranormal, short story delectus with author Bibiana Krall; and author/publish Book 2 of holiday-themed mystery tales that warmed my heart (just in time for Christmas). #WooHoo

What's on tap for 2023? I'm currently planning the release for Murder on the Runway in February, the anniversary month where it all began for my cozy series (5th anniversary for The Crown for Castlewood Manor).💖👑 Bibiana and I are mapping out the stories for book 4 in The Haunted Series (it's going to be spooktacular!), and I have a pretty good idea of what Rikkhe and her family and friends will be up to next holiday season. 🎀❄👠 Surprisingly, Book 9 in the cozy series is percolating and itching to tell its story--I think Gemma and I have some writing to do, LOL.

#ItsAGoodThing Letting the time work for me...a big change I'm taking on this year is to better manage and allocate my work vs. play time. With writing, reading, editing, marketing, and blogging...there's not been a whole ton of time left to explore new interests.

#SomethingsGotToGive So, beginning with today's post, I'll now be posting my #WritersDiary every other Wednesday, rather than weekly. With the exception of 3 months, there will still be 3 posts/month and perhaps an extra travel edition every now and then. So, no post on January 11th, next up will be January 18th.⏰

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, peaceful 2023, where all your dreams come true! ✨❣🎇It's the first Wednesday of the New Year, time for #DearDiary:

There's a book making its way down the editing runway...

I'm starting 2023 with a deep dive in the editing zone! My guardian editor, Theresa Snyder is on the case! I love working with her--she's a treasure and always gives me great advice and recommendations to fine tune my tales. Fun fact, she brings a little extra zing & attitude to the voice of my character, Figgy! Murder on the Runway, coming February 2023! 💋👠

Stepping up the branding in 2023...

A writer's work is never done... I'm glamming up the brand this year with the new heart/crown image, and, including my MC Gemma's image (which will also be used in the stories under the chapter headings)! I really love the new design and you'll be seeing it (a lot) on my marketing promos this year. Time to connect the character/logo dots! What d'ya think?

#AmReading #AmReviewing

Christmas wedding plans take a ghostly twist this week from the writers of Twitter...

Author Magda Alexander, A Murder of Christmas Past (Kitty Worthington Mystery) 5⭐

Surprises and secrets from the past emerge when Kitty Worthington and her family travel to Wynchcomb Castle to attend the Christmas nuptials of her sister. The stately home of her soon to be brother-in-law is in major need of a clean and refresh--a problem solved if they could only find the reclusive housekeeper. The cook is intimidated by the new-fangled stove, placing the wedding and holiday feasts in jeopardy. Finally, there's the matter of a skeleton discovered in a secret room---will the deadly find disrupt the wedding plans?

Author Alexander weaves a clever tale of holiday mayhem sure to delight cozy mystery fans. Family secrets, scandalous deeds, and a dash of romance make for an entertaining, holiday whodunnit!

Next up in the reading queue:

Reasearch in the #MysteryZone

With all my newfound time this year (LOL), I'll be concentrating on honing my writing skills with books and classes. What better way to learn than with the masters! This month I'm deep diving into one of my new books from Santa:

Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club! Written by Martin Edwards, this book contains the tricks of the trade from crime detection novelists which include: Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Peter James, Peter Robinson, Ann Cleeves, Andrew Taylor, Elly Griffiths, Sophie Hannah, Stella Duffy, Alexander McCall Smith, John Le Carré and many more.

Interwoven with their contributions are shorter pieces by past Detection Club members ranging from G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie and John Dickson Carr to Desmond Bagley and H.R.F. Keating.

I'll give you an update in February. Can't wait to learn something new!

It was a dark and stormy night...

No better way to ring in your 65th year than dinner at the Ritz! The Hubby and I took some time at one of our favorite haunts to enjoy the (cold and stormy) views and the yummy food! We're looking forward to some great adventures this year--for me, that's the gift that keeps on giving!

Welcome to my world. Wishing you a fabulous, blessed 2023!

Crowns and Kisses,

Veronica

P.S. My snow boots are going to be doin' the happy dance! We've had loads of rain and cold weather recently, and in the Sierra mountains where we'll be heading, they've had up to 70 inches of snow! #WooHoo New pics incoming from Mammoth and Tahoe! Gemma and Rikkhe approve 💖❄👑