Jennifer Becton's Blog, page 8

To usher in 2014, I wrote an anti-resolution post, and I’d like to update that for 2016. And again for 2017.

Below is the text of that post. Scroll down to see each year’s additions.

2014

I had a post about my resolutions for 2014 all ready to go, but I tossed it in the virtual trash can. I hate New Year’s resolutions. HATE them.

Why? What’s your problem, Becton?

My problem isn’t with the concept of resolving to improve something about yourself or your lifestyle. And it’s not with deciding to make these goals at the beginning of a new page on the calendar.

My problem is with the time frame: 1 year. That’s:

12 months or

365 days or

8765.81 hours or

525949 minutes or

3.156e+7 seconds or

3.156e+10 milliseconds or

Yes, I could go on. I found a time calculator on Google.

A year is a long time, and usually resolutions are big. (Ex: I resolve to eat healthier and publish 14 books this year.) I have to wait 1 year to attain my goals. That’s a long time. (See the breakdown above.) I cannot celebrate until I have eaten healthier in a flawless fashion for 365 days and published all 14 books.

That ain’t right, people!

One of the most valuable things I learned while helping write Riding Fear Free is that all people focus so intently on the end goal that they forget all about the small steps necessary to attain to the goal. They get depressed when they don’t instantaneously succeed at the BIG goal. How do you counter that? By celebrating every single success, each small step that leads to the goal. That doesn’t mean you go out and buy a new toy every time, but you take a moment to acknowledge that you completed the next step. Stop and enjoy!

And what’s more, you might have one goal at the beginning of the year, but by June, you might have changed your mind. Why? According to Dwight V. Swain, it’s because “you yourself change in the interim between the time when inspiration first becomes apparent and the later date.” (Swain, Techniques of the Selling Writer, 280.)

And I still haven’t said a word about what happens when we inevitably fail to live up to our goals. Because I’m totally eating Reese’s Peanut Butter Hearts for Valentine’s Day. That doesn’t fit into the eating-healthy resolution. What if I don’t publish 14 books? Well, too bad. Better luck next year. This year was a big fat failure.

Making realistic long-term goals is not inherently bad, but once those goals are made, the focus must shift to small steps that lead to the big goal.

So my resolutions for the year of the horse are to celebrate each step that leads toward my goals and to move past any mistakes without beating myself up about them. As Anne Shirley said in Anne of Green Gables, “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” Don’t forget that every year is fresh with no mistakes in it. That means you have

12 months or

265 days or

8765.81 hours or

525949 minutes or

3.156e+7 seconds or

3.156e+10 milliseconds

of new beginnings.

2016

Another new year, and I still hate Ye Olde New Year’s Resolutions, the traditional resolutions. You know the ones. Those that send everyone to the stores to purchase cute new workout clothes to motivate them and have them rummaging through the pantry to throw out all the junk food, only to find the workout gear hanging on the unused treadmill and the junk food back in the pantry 30 days later.

Despite my railing against Ye Olde Resolutions, I do set long-term goals and make plans for the coming year. After all, a new year is a good time to take the long look, to decide how you’d like to use your time. But Ye Olde New Year’s Resolutions are often too vague and undefined or too long-term in scope.

Here are some tips for planning without falling into the resolution trap.

Make your goal concrete. A lot of resolutions fall into the “What does that even mean?” category. Like saying, “I plan to eat healthier in 2106.” What does that mean? Healtheir than what? Will you eat only salad? Or will you set a calorie limit? Become vegan? Set a specific goal, like replacing one meal a day with a healthier option.
Make the goal attainable. Much as I wish I could get on the NYT Best Sellers list, it’s out of my hands. Other than writing and publishing, I cannot get a book on the list through my own power.
Don’t start with your goal. Focusing on the big goal is not only daunting, but impossible. You can’t decide to change, and change instantly. It’s a process. As John Lyons says, “If you start with your goal, you end with a wreck.”
Break the goal down into smaller chunks and reward yourself for each step. A goal that cannot be attained for 365 days doesn’t offer much in the way of motivation. After you make your long-term goal, ask, “What is the next smallest step I can take toward my goal?” Focus on that.
Treat every day like New Year’s. You are going to make some mistakes along the way to your goal. You’ll eat a candy bar or get sick and not exercise for a week. Or you’ll misuse your time. That doesn’t mean you have failed. Remember that not only are you moving along the calendar year, but you are also starting something new each morning. You can decide every day to set and attain a goal, regardless of what happened yesterday or a week ago.

 

 

2017

Don’t look back. (Regret and nostalgia can be equally paralyzing.)

Look ahead. (The future is what you make it.)

You don’t have to have a list of goals for the new year.

But you can look ahead with new mindset. Do things this year that make you proud, that make you happy, that make you fulfilled.

What makes you happy and brings you fulfillment? Do more of that in 2017.

Happy 2017, everyone!

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The final Holidays with Jane writer in our series of interviews for the release of Thankful Hearts is Rebecca M. Fleming. Rebecca wrote “Melanie Perceived,” the story based on Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park. Her heartfelt story is set in the South, my neck of the woods, and pays tribute to a special mentor in her life.

Jennifer says: Hi Rebecca! Welcome. Your author photo is also adorbs! Let’s get right to the questions.

What is your favorite Jane Austen book to read?

As much as I love Pride and Prejudice, when I need a comfort read, my go-to is actually Sense and Sensibility. I had a copy in my bag when I went to take the content area exams to get my teaching license, and whiled away the “down time” with Elinor and Marianne.

Jennifer says: I like Sense and Sensibility, but Marianne stresses me out. So does Elinor. So not a comfort read for me. I run to Frederick for comfort.

What is your least favorite Jane Austen book to read?

Mansfield Park, surprise surprise.

What is your most unexpected revelation from delving into the Austen canon?

Discovering that I actually relate to Fanny Price, and that we had more in common than I care to admit. I’m still recovering from that moment … I want to be Elizabeth!

Jennifer says: Interesting questions! Which Austen character do you want to be, and which one are you actually? Let’s see: I want to be Anne Elliot, but I’m probably more like John Thorpe because I’m always boring people with horse talk!

Do you outline: yes or no? Are you a planner or pantser?

Pantser, all the way. I don’t outline, but I do scribble notes to myself–character names, random details *that must happen,* connecting elements/Easter eggs for other stories–but they’re short and sweet, and in no order. At all.

What is your favorite writing beverage?

Sweet tea! Strong and dark, and only marginally sweet–preferably at room temperature (I know, I’m weird. I don’t like my tea super cold). It runs in my veins, and I can’t imagine trying to write without it.

What was your favorite scene to write in your current story?

That’s a toss-up between the opening scene and the ending. Not to give away anything, but I had been looking forward to writing my Fanny Price character (renamed Melanie) into that place the whole story, and it was incredibly satisfying on a personal level. And the opening scene was just fun–it features squirrels: of course it was going to be fun to write.

Follow Rebecca on the Interwebs

Twitter

Facebook

Blog

Jennifer says: Now, my interest is piqued, and I want to interview everyone! Answer in the comments below!

Which Austen character are you most like?
What Austen character do you want to be?

The next Holidays with Jane writer on the blog is Jessica Grey. Jess wrote “North by Northanger,” the story based on Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, and it’s got everything: adorable Henry Tilney, a kickass heroine, and lots of references to Investigation Discovery.

Jennifer says: Hi, Jess, and welcome! Aside: Your author picture is adorable too! All my co-writers are so cute.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi! My name is Jessica (Jess) Grey and I write Young Adult novels and short stories as well as Austen inspired fiction. I am a mom of two (shout out to Maddie and James!) and live above the clouds in the Rocky Mountains where it snows way, way too much but is pretty enough to (almost) make up for it.

What is your favorite Jane Austen book to read?

I am torn between Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion. I love both. I would say P&P is probably what I grab most when I need a comfort read (#basicAustenfan)

What is your least favorite Austen book to read?

Mansfield Park. The end.

What is the most unexpected revelation from delving into the Austen canon?

I have had a few revelations while digging into the Austen cannon so far…they are:

a)  I’m way more Marianne than Elinor no matter what lies I have told myself previously.

b)  Catherine Morland is basically my twin.

c)  Mansfield Park is probably not supposed to be a romance and Austen was doing more with it then I give her credit for (but I still hate it).

d) I have a really hard time not writing magic into stories (and I do not regret putting it into my Mansfield Park story).

Jennifer says: Some stories need magic. Mansfield Park is one of them. There’s a magical dog in my story based on MP.

Did your opinions of any novels or characters change?

See above…but I still hate MP!

Which Austen novel was your favorite/easiest-to-write HwJ story based on?

This is going to sound weird after all of my Mansfield Park hate, but my story “It’s a Wonderful Latte” based on MP was the easiest to write. I don’t know why I find this stories so tricky to write–probably because I am overthinking them–but for the Christmas story I just let myself be as ridiculous as possible because everyone already knew my feelings on the original. In the end, it was the easiest to write.

Jennifer says: My Mansfield Park story was the easiest to write too and for the same reason. I felt free to go crazy with my plot since there are few people who LOVE MP the way they love P&P.

Which Austen novel was your least favorite/most difficult-to-write story based on?

Emma was so hard to adapt! When we divided up the stories, the only one I insisted on having was Emma for Summer of Love because I was convinced Emma should be set in summer camp. Then when it came time to write it, I regretted my decision. I wanted to do Emma justice, and I agonized over how to translate her into a modern character that wasn’t perceived as a total witch…and Clueless had already done teen Emma SO well I felt like I’d painted myself into a corner.

Jennifer says: As if!

Outline: yes or no? Planner or pantser?

Vague, vague outlining done entirely in my head. Pantser, ftw.

Where and when do you do the majority of your writing?

At my desk at home while my kids are asleep or watching tv.

Jennifer says: I am amazed at how productive parents can be while the kids are in bed. You have my respect. 

What is the most difficult part of the writing process for you? The easiest?

STARTING is always the hardest. I tend to freak myself out about the story for a few weeks first. Once I start, the ball usually just rolls on down the hill. I have two fantastic story editors that hold my hand A LOT.

What is your favorite writing beverage?

Tequila. Also chili mochas. Mostly tequila.

Tell us about your the Holidays with Jane: Thankful Hearts story.

In Thankful Hearts, I am adapting Northanger Abbey. My story is called “North by Northanger,” and yes, there are a few reference with to Alfred Hitchcock/Cary Grant movie. Rebecca M. Fleming had set her Northanger story at the fictional Abbey College in Northanger, GA, so I stole her location (with permission), but sent my heroine Kate and her boyfriend Henry home to his family’s in Brooklyn for Thanksgiving.

Kate was fun to write because she has no internal monologue and just says whatever comes to mind–except for all the important stuff like how she really feels about her boyfriend!

What was your favorite scene to write in your current story?

My favorite scene to write in “North by Northanger” is the one where Kate and Henry meet. I just absolutely love their chemistry together. I probably could have written an entire novella of just Kate and Henry banter.

Jennifer says: I’ve had the opportunity to read your story, and I’m catching up on the last two this week. I loved this scene too. Henry is one of my favorites.

If your story were becoming a movie or TV show, whom would you cast as the main characters?

I am always SO bad at these questions…I had to recruit help from my editor, Kimberly Truesdale. Her first casting choice was because she has that casual, not really caring about style but able to dress up when she wants to, vibe that Kate has going on. And then would be cast as Henry because a) hot, b) dapper, and c) definitely looks like he came from money. I think these casting choices are SPOT ON for Kate and Henry.

Visit Jess online. You won’t be sorry.

My home on the interwebs is www.authorjessicagrey.com

Twitter is my favorite: @_JessicaGrey

I also Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicagrey

Lastly, you can check out all my books (Austen and YA) on Amazon.

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The next Holidays with Jane writer on the blog is Melissa Buell. Melissa wrote the story based on Pride and Prejudice in Holidays with Jane: Thankful Hearts. She blogs at Have Imagination, Will Travel and is the author of a young adult fantasy series titled The Tales of Gymandrol.

Jennifer says: Hi, Melissa, and welcome! Aside: Your author pictures is adorable too!

Thanks for having me on your blog, Jennifer!

Tell us a bit about yourself. 

Hey there! I’m Melissa Buell. I’m an English teacher by day and author by night. I live in Southern California with my husband and kids. I love to read, bake, and take photographs. I’ve always had a vivid imagination and would fall asleep to scenes I would make up. That turned into writing those scenes out which turned into a novel. Since then, I’ve written a YA fantasy trilogy, a children’s book, and short stories for Holidays With Jane.

What is your favorite Jane Austen book to read?

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austen novel and my favorite novel of all time.

Jennifer says: Mine too. It was such a pleasant surprise to find a great novel that did not end in misery.

What is your least favorite Jane Austen book to read?

Like most people, Mansfield Park is my least favorite. The cousin factor is just icky.

What was your most unexpected revelation from delving into the Austen canon?

I keep learning how snarky and clever Jane Austen was! She amazes me as I re-read her novels.

Did your opinions of any novels or characters change?

I liked Northanger Abbey on my third reading of it once I realized that it is making fun of the Gothic novel, popular at the time JA was publishing.

Which Austen novel was your favorite/easiest-to-write HwJ story based on?

Northanger Abbey was the easiest for me. Cate Moreland was easy to jump into.

Which JA novel was your least favorite/most difficult-to-write story based on?

Pride and Prejudice was actually the hardest story for me to adapt! I think since it’s my favorite and very popular with readers, I felt a lot of pressure to get it right.

Jennifer says: Pride and Prejudice was hard for me to adapt too. There’s such a high expectation to get Darcy and Elizabeth just right, which is why I like to focus on the minor characters in P&P.

Tell us a little about your writing process. Do you outline?

Outliner! I’ve tried to just pants it but it always goes horribly off the rails. My brain needs an outline.

Where and when do you do the majority of your writing?

At night and at Panera Bread or Starbucks.

Jennifer says: And now I’m hungry again. I could eat a vat of Panera’s Creamy Tomato Soup.

What is the most difficult part of the writing process for you? The easiest?

Outlining is the easiest part. Re-reading to make sure all of the timeline and details are correct is difficult.

 

What is your favorite writing beverage?

I either get coffee-of-the-day (cheap!) with a little cream and sugar or Earl Grey tea straight up.

Jennifer says: I  wish I liked Earl Grey, but I’m not a fan of bergamot.

Tell us about your new Holidays with Jane story.

Elizabeth Bennet credits the success of Bennet Homes to her close-knit family, however dysfunctional they might be. The Meryton Chamber of Commerce calls on local businesses to host the annual All-Town Thanksgiving Feast. Unfortunately, Elizabeth is paired up with pretentious businessman Will Darcy of Pemberley Estates, her main rival in the construction business. Will Elizabeth be able to fill up her Thankful Jar this year?

What was your favorite scene to write in your current story?

When Elizabeth and Darcy meet is one of my favorite parts.

Jennifer says: I love a good meet cute! I can’t wait to read it.  In fact, keep an eye out for our upcoming group read and live tweet of Holidays with Jane: Thankful Hearts.

Don’t forget to check out Melissa’s young adult fantasy novels!

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