Tuesday Tidbits: Writing Goals: 2024 Recap & 2025 Goals

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was good. My daughter and son-in-law flew in and my son and two of the three grandkiddos were here for Christmas Day. Though a bit chaotic, it was wonderful to have them here.

On to goals—

Some people don’t like setting goals because they feel too confining and too much pressure. For me, they help me focus, and I have something to aim for. Like the old saying goes, Shoot for the stars (or moon). You might not make it there, but you will soar higher than if you had never tried. (I couldn’t find a specific author for this variation, but it’s close to Norman Vincent Peale’s quote “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” So, I guess this version is mine, Mary Davis.)

Each goal should have the caveat attached to the end . . . “Stated goal” or something better.

So, how did I do on my 2024 goals? Overall, I’m pleased. Here is a quick recap.

2024 Goals
~~ I will Publish 1st-Cousin-Once-Removed Mary Linn’s Novel with or without a photo of her.
    I, finally, did get this published in November of 2024. Yay! It’s titled Unpuzzling the Past. Mary’s sister Sarah is thrilled.
eBook  https://books2read.com/u/bpkj6l
Paperback  https://www.amazon.com/Unpuzzling-Past-Mary-L-Chase/dp/B0DM48K26X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
~~ I will Write 100,000-ish words or more.
    I did manage to eek out 100,050 words.
~~ I WILL Finish Writing Silver Bells, a Christmas Novella.
    I finished it and ran it through my critique group.
~~ I will write a rough draft of book 3 in my time travel series.
    I did not get it written. However, I started an additional book in my Quilting Circle series.
~~ I will Participate in NaNoWriMo in November.
    I participated but didn’t reach 50,000 words. Other life things came up, but I did get 15,000 words written. I also participated in CampNaNoWriMo in April and July.
~~ I will Complete a Proposal.
    This didn’t happen.
~~ I will Complete HHH Posts by the 10th of Each Month.
    I made this one and was actually several months ahead when my husband passed away, so I didn’t have to worry about writing them until after the first of the year. Now, I need to get back to them.

Non-writing goals:
~~I will Do a Bible study on the book of Revelation and one on the Holy Spirit.
    I met these two goals.

~~I will Continue trying to get regular exercise by walking or by running up and down the stairs as well as continuing Intermittent Fasting. Yep.

And finally, I will Continue to go through boxes. Yep, but I still have many, many to go.

On to 2025 Goals
~~Complete time travel proposal. I’m determined to get this done this year and sent off to my agent.
~~Edit Deep Breath (Time Travel book 2).
~~Write 50,000-ish plus words. Because I need to figure out AI book covers so I can re-release some of my backlist, I cut back on word count for this year.
~~Participate in NaNoWriMo & Camp NaNoWriMo, as usual. This is the same as previous years. NaNoWriMo stands for NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth. Each year in November, thousands of writers all over the world make a mad dash to write 50,000 words in 30 days. My goal says “participate” not win. If I write 50,000 words or less than 50,000 words, I can still meet this goal by participating. CampNaNoWriMo in April and July are low pressure because you set your own goal, and a lot of fun. A good way to get started with NaNoWriMo.
~~Plot Flash Forward (Time Travel book 3).
~~Write rough draft of Flash Forward. I’m hoping to do this for NaNoWriMo in November.
~~Rerelease 3+ backlist books. I have the rights back to many of my books and want to re-release them. First, I need to figure out how to create covers using AI.
~~Complete HHH Posts by the 10th of each month.
~~Complete one or more additional proposals. I don’t know for what, but I have all year to figure that out.

Non-writing goals:
~~I will Do a Bible study on Prayer. I bought four books on prayer and plan to go through each one to improve my prayer life.

. . . OR SOMETHING BETTER.

My word for 2025 is Recover.

Do you have a word for 2025?

I hope you all are successful in meeting your goals in 2025. =0)

And I pray this year is happy and healthy, and may you find joy in the little things. =0)

For more information on how to set achievable, measurable, and controllable goals, you can reference my blog post on it HERE or click the link https://marydavisbooks.blogspot.com/2019/12/tuesday-tidbits-2020-goal-setting.html

 

UNPUZZLING THE PAST

1990s Cozy Mystery

Written by Mary L. Chase, Edited By Mary Davis

When secrets and lies are uncovered, will Mar be able to put the pieces together to learn the truth? A year after her mom’s death, Margaret “Mar” Ross discovers the proverbial skeleton in the closet. Most families have a secret or two. Some are best left in the dark. Others need to be brought into the light of day to heal old wounds. With the help of her best friend, a lawyer, and a handsome doctor, Mar is determined to hunt down all the facts. When she does, will she find what she’s searching for? Or should she let this puzzle R.I.P.?

https://books2read.com/u/bpkj6l

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include MRS. WITHERSPOON GOES TO WAR, THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Quilting Circle 3) is a Selah Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; The Widow’s Plight, The Daughter's Predicament, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection , Prodigal Daughters Amish series, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in Colorado with her new Carolina dog, Shelby. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:

 Books2Read  Newsletter  Blog   FB  FB Readers Group   Amazon   GoodReads   BookBub

 

Tuesday Tidbits: LIFE UPDATE

 I’ve been fencing!

Public Domain, Wiki Commons

 Not that kind. This kind.

 

 

Let me back up to explain my absence. The past few months have been rough. In August, my husband passed away suddenly.

 

He collapsed and was gone quickly. I was a complete wreck. If not for my family, I don’t know what I would have done. They helped me get finance things figured out—my husband had done all that stuff.

This is a glass heart with his ashes swirled in it.

 

All too soon everyone had to go back to their own lives, and I had to cope on my own. That’s when I started building the fence my hubby and I planned. He had purchased the metal posts and used fence panels. I dug holes and cemented in posts, then put up panels. It was a bit wobbly to move the panels across the yard with the wheelbarrow, but I managed. It was good to have something to focus on.

 

First panel up.

 

First panel on the other end up-ish.

 

Making progress.

 

My makeshift barrier on the side of the house to keep the deer out.

 

I finally got enough panels up to stretch some chicken wire I have across the opening,

but it wasn’t quite long enough, so I improvised with a slide and a birdbath.

 

This is who I’m trying to keep out along with their droppings.

They each took their turn to look through the chicken wire.

I think they were a little confused.

 

Closing the gap. No longer need the slide and birdbath.

 

Just one more post to cement in on the side, then create a gate from that middle panel.

 

My dwindling piles of panels. Ah, progress feels good.

 

The completed back fence.

Now the deer must stay out and my grandchildren will stay in and can run freely.

 

I have also done a bunch of work inside the house. I built some DVD shelves and unpacked boxes, filling up those shelves.

 

The house felt void with no other heartbeat but my own, so I adopted a dog from a shelter. It’s nice to have someone to talk to.

 

Shelby is a Carolina Dog mix. She’s between 10 and 12 months old, full of energy, loves tug-o-war, and needs to learn some manners. We have started obedience classes.

 

I have started having my granddaughters over again. They miss their grandpa.

 

We’ve also had three birthdays this fall, and my son hosted for Thanksgiving. It was great!

 

I hosted a writers retreat with my two critique partners. I also released my late cousin’s novel that I heavily edited. It was mostly ready to go, just needed to upload it and figure out the cover stuff.

A couple of days ago, I repaired my oven. My husband had gotten the part but not put it in yet. The problem was, I didn’t know where he put it. I went on a search and finally found it. So, I baked cookies to celebrate!

I hope to get back into the swing of things with my writing after the first of the year.

 

For now, I have Christmas presents to wrap.

 

Blessings,

Mary

    =0)

 

UNPUZZLING THE PAST

1990s Cozy Mystery

Written by Mary L. Chase, Edited By Mary Davis

When secrets and lies are uncovered, will Mar be able to put the pieces together to learn the truth? A year after her mom’s death, Margaret “Mar” Ross discovers the proverbial skeleton in the closet. Most families have a secret or two. Some are best left in the dark. Others need to be brought into the light of day to heal old wounds. With the help of her best friend, a lawyer, and a handsome doctor, Mar is determined to hunt down all the facts. When she does, will she find what she’s searching for? Or should she let this puzzle R.I.P.?

https://books2read.com/u/bpkj6l

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include MRS. WITHERSPOON GOES TO WAR, THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Quilting Circle 3) is a Selah Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; The Widow’s Plight, The Daughter's Predicament, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection , Prodigal Daughters Amish series, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in Colorado with her new Carolina dog. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:

 Books2Read  Newsletter  Blog   FB  FB Readers Group   Amazon   GoodReads   BookBub

 

Tuesday Tidbits: NAILED IT!

How many nails does a cup of chai tea cost?

What? Nails aren’t legal tender anymore?

Yes, there was a time when people in the U. S. (and other parts of the world) used nails to barter with.

I don’t think much about construction nails until one is protruding, and I catch my hand or the toe of my shoe on it.

Nails have been around for millennia, dating from as far back as 3,400 BC, but historians theorize they were likely around before that. Some of these early nails were made of bronze, but the ones made of iron would have rusted into dust.

Bronze Nail

Nails were made one at a time by a blacksmith or nailer. After heating a square iron nail rod, it was hammered to a taper on the end to create a point. Heated once again, the nail was cut free of the rod, then placed in a hole in an anvil or a nail header, where the head would be formed with several glancing blows of a hammer. This was the slow production method until late in the 18th century. These were wrought iron type nails.

Roman Iron Nails

Because the laborious process took so long for each one, nails were a valuable commodity. They were so precious and hard to come by in the Colonies that people would burn down their home before they moved or torch old buildings for the nails. In Virginia, they passed a statute that prohibited this practice. During bad weather, in the evenings, or during the winter, families would make nails for their own use or for barter.

Wrought Iron Nail

In the last decade of the 1700s and the first decade in the 1800s, nail cutting machines were invented. This enabled nails to be cut from iron plates, but they still had to be headed one by one. These were type A nails.

Heading a Nail

Eventually, a machine was invented in the 1810s which both cut the nails and created the head. This sped up the process and brought down the price. These were type B nails.

Author Image

During the 1880s, the Bessemer process for making inexpensive soft steel revolutionized nail making. The use of iron for nails quickly diminished. A faster and cheaper nail making method was invented—the wire-cut nails. By 1886, ten percent of nails in the United States were made from steel wire. Six short years later, steel-wire nails had outpaced the old iron ones, and by 1913, ninety percent of U. S. nails were wire nails.

These are still the type of nails used today. With the advent of wire nails, this costly object could be produced at speeds unfathomable before and for much cheaper. Thus, nails lost their monetary value.

Which sadly means, I can’t buy a chai with my handful of nails.

💖SMALL TOWN ROMANCES: Inspirational Boxed Set #FREE on KU

📚5 Novels of Romance 💖 by 5 bestselling, award-winning authors. You'll love these unique stories of love! Something for everyone with 2 historical, 2 contemporary, and a fantasy romance.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Romances-Inspirational-Boxed-ebook/dp/B0881ZH5H2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZZ72LC7064IL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._ZVrcmze2TtzY-0u9Tvpt4_tF0oQrEM0kb1PLWHxMqkZ_DYmYK28WlosO3wYnQcgfWzyXomLnPIweft8o7E6toqw0Xhj4ewoTUQNVwY5r3lqo5MaQEO4ALCpH1JJ-1VsQbw_W3-TXLoxlHpgaecaEPtZoD0zlOhtEnrkOaDx1PlkSZXiBwc0VXe0pwITo9oeSrjHHjg804H_SwQFesprVWDxrls9keacehMsd4YcgQU.nY8JBQDeW0LqPfKJqJDCnWkW1Yqc6YYKqZdiOnQy960&dib_tag=se&keywords=Small+Town+Romance+by+Mary+Davis&qid=1720281313&s=books&sprefix=small+town+romance+by+mary+davis%2Cstripbooks%2C126&sr=1-1

#SmallTownRomance includes…

The Daughter’s Predicament by Mary Davis—As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. Despite gaining the attention of a handsome rancher, her parents are pressuring her to marry a man of their choosing to rescue her sister’s reputation. While a third suitor waits silently in the wings, hoping to sweep her off her feet. Whom will Isabelle choose?

Her Hope Discovered by Cynthia Herron—Is the sure thing worth risking for the possibility of maybe?

Charla Winthrop, a savvy business woman seeking a permanent lifestyle change in small-town Ruby, learns that things aren’t always what they appear when she takes up residence in a house steeped in charm and a hint of mystery.

Rumor has it that Sam Packard the town carpenter is her go-to guy for home remodeling, but can Charla convince him to help her—with no strings attached, of course? Alone far too long, Sam’s prayed that God would send him a wife and a mother for his daughters. However, the new Ruby resident is hardly what he imagined.

At the Crossroad by Christa MacDonald——Erin Sullivan has endured the rumor mill of Sweet River, Maine for years. Being the subject of small-town judgment taught her not to hope for good things. No matter how strong her feelings were for Pastor Dan Connors, she planned to keep them buried for the sake of his reputation and the good of her own heart.

Dan became a pastor thinking it would be temporary--three years later he is struggling in a job he never wanted. When Erin sees Dan struggling alone, she reaches out to help, and he comes to rely on her quiet strength and kindness. Dan is determined to find his way, but it may have to be without the woman he's come to love.

Dreams of My Heart by Barbara Scott—If plucky Irish immigrant Kate O’Brien can’t pay off the loan on her deceased brother’s homestead, she’ll be forced to marry the banker’s son. When she’s attacked by a drunken gang, salvation comes from a total stranger—Texas cattleman Buck McKean. However, his kindness threatens her reputation, and they marry to prevent impending consequences. But love has a hard time growing within two hearts scarred from past hurts. When Kate asks Buck for the unthinkable, her choice endangers both their lives. Can God mend their hearts and save their love?

Unbroken Spirit by Kelsey Norman—Nina Anderson never expected to pull an unconscious man from a lake. Neither did she imagine that the unearthly man would claim he was sent to be her protector and help her with an impending future event. Nina’s mysterious new protector, Liam, brings her the respect she’s always wanted—and maybe even a chance at love. Will he have the power to save her and restore Nina’s faith in God?

Happy Reading!

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at: Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_(fastener)
https://monroeengineering.com/blog/nailed-it-the-history-of-nails/
https://www.harpgallery.com/blog/the-humble-nail-a-key-to-unlock-the-past/
https://www.oldhousefix.com/history-of-american-nails/
https://www.uvm.edu/~tvisser/nails/NailHistoryVisser.pdf
https://inspectapedia.com/interiors/Nails_Hardware_Age.php

SMALL TOWN ROMANCE is Back!

I am so pleased to be in this boxed set. This one has a little of everything, historical, contemporary, and fantasy. So if you like to mix up your genres, this is the set for you. Or maybe you want to try out a different genres. This set is for you.

💖SMALL TOWN ROMANCES: Inspirational Boxed Set #FREE on KU or $0.99 to buy! Sale ends Monday July 10th. Get it before the price goes up!

📚5 Novels of Romance 💖 by 5 bestselling, award-winning authors. You'll love these unique stories of love! Something for everyone with 2 historical, 2 contemporary, and a fantasy romance.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Romances-Inspirational-Boxed-ebook/dp/B0881ZH5H2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZZ72LC7064IL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._ZVrcmze2TtzY-0u9Tvpt4_tF0oQrEM0kb1PLWHxMqkZ_DYmYK28WlosO3wYnQcgfWzyXomLnPIweft8o7E6toqw0Xhj4ewoTUQNVwY5r3lqo5MaQEO4ALCpH1JJ-1VsQbw_W3-TXLoxlHpgaecaEPtZoD0zlOhtEnrkOaDx1PlkSZXiBwc0VXe0pwITo9oeSrjHHjg804H_SwQFesprVWDxrls9keacehMsd4YcgQU.nY8JBQDeW0LqPfKJqJDCnWkW1Yqc6YYKqZdiOnQy960&dib_tag=se&keywords=Small+Town+Romance+by+Mary+Davis&qid=1720281313&s=books&sprefix=small+town+romance+by+mary+davis%2Cstripbooks%2C126&sr=1-1

#SmallTownRomance includes…

The Daughter’s Predicament by Mary Davis—As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. Despite gaining the attention of a handsome rancher, her parents are pressuring her to marry a man of their choosing to rescue her sister’s reputation. While a third suitor waits silently in the wings, hoping to sweep her off her feet. Whom will Isabelle choose?

Her Hope Discovered by Cynthia Herron—Is the sure thing worth risking for the possibility of maybe?

Charla Winthrop, a savvy business woman seeking a permanent lifestyle change in small-town Ruby, learns that things aren’t always what they appear when she takes up residence in a house steeped in charm and a hint of mystery.

Rumor has it that Sam Packard the town carpenter is her go-to guy for home remodeling, but can Charla convince him to help her—with no strings attached, of course? Alone far too long, Sam’s prayed that God would send him a wife and a mother for his daughters. However, the new Ruby resident is hardly what he imagined.

At the Crossroad by Christa MacDonald——Erin Sullivan has endured the rumor mill of Sweet River, Maine for years. Being the subject of small-town judgment taught her not to hope for good things. No matter how strong her feelings were for Pastor Dan Connors, she planned to keep them buried for the sake of his reputation and the good of her own heart.

Dan became a pastor thinking it would be temporary--three years later he is struggling in a job he never wanted. When Erin sees Dan struggling alone, she reaches out to help, and he comes to rely on her quiet strength and kindness. Dan is determined to find his way, but it may have to be without the woman he's come to love.

Dreams of My Heart by Barbara Scott—If plucky Irish immigrant Kate O’Brien can’t pay off the loan on her deceased brother’s homestead, she’ll be forced to marry the banker’s son. When she’s attacked by a drunken gang, salvation comes from a total stranger—Texas cattleman Buck McKean. However, his kindness threatens her reputation, and they marry to prevent impending consequences. But love has a hard time growing within two hearts scarred from past hurts. When Kate asks Buck for the unthinkable, her choice endangers both their lives. Can God mend their hearts and save their love?

Unbroken Spirit by Kelsey Norman—Nina Anderson never expected to pull an unconscious man from a lake. Neither did she imagine that the unearthly man would claim he was sent to be her protector and help her with an impending future event. Nina’s mysterious new protector, Liam, brings her the respect she’s always wanted—and maybe even a chance at love. Will he have the power to save her and restore Nina’s faith in God?

Happy Reading!

THE QUILTING CIRCLE SERIES Box Set

Historical Romance Series

By Mary Davis

THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT (Book1) – Will a secret clouding a single mother’s past cost Lily her loved ones?

THE DAUGHTER’S PREDICAMENT (Book2) *SELAH & WRMA Finalist* – As Isabelle’s romance prospects turn in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams.

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Book3) *SELAH Winner* – Nicole heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. Can she learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?

THE DÉBUTANTE’S SECRET (Book4) – Complications arise when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into Deputy Montana’s arms.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNZPRRS2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3NJNTQ5SD1WGB&keywords=the+quilting+circle+by+mary+davis&qid=1700957455&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C155&sr=1-7

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at: Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub