Reflections

The approaching climax of 2012 brings a curious mixture of closures and beginnings. It’s hard to believe the year that just started is reaching its end. It’s even harder to fathom that the fears surrounding the beginning of the new millennium and potential ramifications for the world’s computers (which never happened) occurred thirteen years ago.

Now we see 2013 on the horizon. Some believe the world will end prior to its arrival. Others struggle with financial woes that have plagued the economy and seem destined to continue into the coming year. Still others are making plans to forge ahead with new ideas and new hope. As this year closes and we reflect on its gifts and ponder the tenuous peace in Gaza and lack thereof on the terrorist front, we find ourselves looking ahead even as we peer over our shoulders at what we are leaving behind.

Personally, I love working with writers, and I want to continue with Blood Red Pencil because of the wealth of information it brings to the writing community and the treasured quality and camaraderie of my fellow contributors. I’d also like to conduct some writing workshops to nurture fledgling authors in learning the skills that will help them create great books. However, I am retiring from full-time editing to pursue writing again. Several books in various stages of completion reside on my hard drive, patiently awaiting my return. Next year I’ll be seventy-five—I want to finish what I’ve started and, hopefully, leave behind a legacy of stories that offer a glimpse into the past, a hope for the future, and an example of good writing.

I’m also opening an online bookstore, a cozy writing community that welcomes writers to stop by and visit. You can ask questions, participate in discussions, follow the serialized books from which a new chapter will appear each week (and submit your own unpublished stories to be considered for future serialization), enter writing contests to win prizes, and, of course, buy books. Both hard copies and e-books will be available in most cases.

As the new year waxes and the old one wanes, reflections on the past segue into plans and hopes for the future. What are your goals for next year? Will you continue with your writing? Do you have a work in progress? What new projects are looming on your horizon?

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Retiring editor Linda Lane is opening a cozy, online bookstore that welcomes writers and readers from all over the world. Currently under construction, it is accessible and should be completed by the end of January 2013. Visit her at www.lindasbooknook.com. Or check out her professional editing team at www.denvereditor.com for top-notch editors to help you realize your dream of writing a great book.