In the years since then I have barely given JC Penney’s a thought. I bought a few items there maybe two years ago and I thought to myself, ‘I should start shopping here again.’ But I haven’t been back since. I rarely venture inside the mall, preferring stores like TJ Maxx and the popular new shopping model, the lifestyle center instead.

So it was interesting to see the clip below where JC Penny is considered as part of a “What’s New?” segment on the Today Show. It also explains the new ad campaign they have with shoppers screaming in frustration over the sales ads we’ve become so used to seeing.

When I saw this piece it reminded me that the philosophy of making an old favorite new again is one that we can all make use of from time to time. Whether we are small business owners, freelance writers or just ready to revitalize our lives or careers in some way.

What old thing would you like to see get a facelift?

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I hope she recovers quickly from her surgery. If she reschedules her concert in the Triangle I am so there.  Below is a live performance of “Set Fire to the Rain” – my current favorite song. If you don’t like this song, I may be forced to come and check your pulse. Seriously.

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Graphic courtesy of NKSharma888

Once again I’m amazed that another year has passed so quickly. It’s the same amount of days, weeks and months as previous years. So why does it feel like time is passing so much faster?

Perhaps the more time has passed in your life, the more aware you become of the sand slipping through the hourglass.

Maybe that’s why 2011 – though it was filled with ups and downs – was a good year for me. I set finite goals, developed a workable plan and stayed focused on achieving my end goal. I am proud of how well the year ended. But what I am most proud of is how hard I fought when things looked bleak. Of course, it helps when you have a supportive spouse, great family, and friends who are both your cheerleaders and advocates.

As I look forward to exciting accomplishments during the year ahead I am reminded of how important it is to set those goals and to share them with others. So I am doing that here.

Writing Goals for 2012:

1. Continue to work toward of goal of becoming a published author of women’s fiction. (Broad goal, but important to state.)
2. Join Romance Writers of America.
3. Join the RWA Women’s Fiction Chapter.
4. Join my local RWA chapter.
5. Be active in both chapters.
6. Remain active with my local critique group. (This has been a tremendous help to me as a writer.)
7. Query two agents per week with completed manuscript.
8. Participate in one writing contest per month.
9. Take two additional writing craft classes this year.
10. Attend a writer’s conference or workshop.
11. Build short story writing skills.
12. Pursue freelance writing opportunities.
13. Write or edit a minimum of 100 words per day.

Life Goals

1. Meditate daily.
2. Eat healthier.
3. Workout daily.
4. Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day.
5. Keep a daily journal.
6. Revive “date night” with the hubby.
7. Reconnect with one person each week.
8. Pursue degree in Communication.
9. Increase value at work.

Some of the goals listed above are vague. There are a few specifics I’m keeping close to the vest. (Hey, a girl’s gotta have some mystery about her!)

One of my goals listed above is keeping a daily journal. A task I’ve tried and quickly abandoned many times before. But writing in a journal is cathartic. It is also a wonderful way to inspire creativity. I will use my daily journal entries to record what I’ve done in pursuit of my goals. What better way to create accountability and keep focused on my primary life and career goals?

What are your goals for 2012 and how do you plan to reach them?

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I picked up some old copies of Yoga Journal which led me to sign up for their e-newsletter and the 21-Day Yoga Challenge. If you’ve been looking for a healthy challenge as we draw ever so close to the new year, you may be interested in this yoga challenge.

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PS: If you are easily offended, DO NOT CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW.

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Sara talks about her song Let the Rain in the video below. She says she had to ‘let the song be’ and get out of the way. As a person who is prone to overthinking and overanalyzing everything, this definitely struck a chord with me. Sometimes a story almost seems to write itself. But our inner critics keep stopping the flow. This is particularly the case when writers get caught up in trying to write a book that is ‘marketable’ rather than just trying to tell a great story.

Editing and revising is an essential part of any kind of writing. But overthinking every scene, every chapter, weighs down the story. Sometimes we just need to ‘let it be.’ Let the words flow from your brain, from your heart, from the mouths of your characters. Let the story become what it will. You can always go back and revise later.

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It is times like this (to borrow another cliche) when we discover the stuff we are really made of. Not only are we tested, but so are the members of our team. The people surrounding us. Whether they be our family, friends, or co-workers. The funny thing about times like these is they are a catalyst. They are the fire that tests our relationships and our passion and commitment in a way that easy times cannot.

In the African Savanna seasonal fires play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity. Concentrated periods of rain followed by long dry seasons and scorching fires prevent the savanna from turning into either a desert or rainforest. Some animals are killed in the fires, but it is mostly insects with short life spans. Larger animals escape the area. Some animals burrow deep in the ground for the duration of the firestorm. Dry stems and grasses are consumed by the fire, but their deep roots are unharmed. Certain trees have thick, fire-resistant bark and the ability to store water in their trunks. When the rainy season comes again the savanna experiences an explosion of growth and new life.

Life is like that. Fires rage through our lives consuming the unnecessary, leaving only the things – and people – needed in our lives. Renewing our appreciation for every opportunity, every moment, every person in our lives. Renewing our passion to achieve our life’s purpose. In these moments we discover if we have the courage and determination to change our fortunes and achieve our goals. We discover if we have true grit.

Today’s post was prompted by a recent viewing of the Coen Brothers’ True Grit. Mattie Ross (played brilliantly by Hailee Steinfeld) tells Jeff Bridges’ character, Rooster Cogburn, “They tell me you are a man with true grit.” It is little Mattie Ross who most assuredly proves that she has true grit. For she will not allow her age, sex or the lack of support from those around her to deter her from her goal, even if it means losing something important in the process.

The wonderful thing about going through times that question the mettle of which we’re made is coming out on the other side wearing a smile on your face (even if it’s beat up and a little more weathered) and hand-in-hand with the people who are supposed to be in your life. It is a victorious feeling. A very Mattie Ross moment.

Check out the trailer for True Grit below. Then share your story or thoughts on enduring challenging times in the comments and add your link below.

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Collaboration is critical to innovation and creativity. Perhaps this video struck a chord with me because I’ve become a huge proponent of critique groups. As a writer, participating in a critique group allows you to collaborate with other writers, and perhaps more importantly, potential readers. The ideas suggested by members of your critique group can greatly help you to improve your writing and see flaws that our complete immersion in the project allow us to overlook. Check out the video below and tell me what you think and who you collaborate with.

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I have three finished manuscripts and just as heavily-invested in, put partially complete works in progress. In two of those stories I started in one tense and about 40 pages in I switched. (I’ve also switched person 60 pages in, but we’ll save that story for another day.

The manuscript I am currently editing is written in first person, present tense. One of the first debates we had in my novel writing group over my piece was the tense and person. The guys thought it would be exhausting for the reader and hard to carry off. The ladies felt it was typical to a lot of women’s fiction or chick lit we read.

One of the biggest issues was present tense vs. present continuous tense. Since my main character is conveying the action, as it happens, it would be correct to use present continuous tense. (Read the English Club info on tense here.)

However, my female crit partner and I both knew we’d read popular women’s fiction in present tense. She mentioned Sophie Kinsella, as an example of an author that uses present tense.

I haven’t read any of Sophie’s books yet – she is on my to-be-read list. However, I ran across a video of her reading from her book, Remember Me. It is written in first person, present tense and I think it works well.

What is your preferred tense when writing fiction and why?

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Watch the trailer. Then I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

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