My new year's resolution? To do a little less.

Happy new year, everyone!

We finally made it to 2022, who would have thunk it? It’s been a challenging couple of years, hasn’t it? I hope all your family and friends survived relatively unscathed. My sympathies and condolences to those less lucky than my circle and I have been.

I have been lucky. Lucky, lucky, lucky, as Katherine Hepburn said in her wonderful memoir, Me. (You can hear her voice rasping it out—honest, tough and tender.) Writing, teaching, and editing in the Time of Covid found me stuffing my schedule so I would always be too engaged to miss pre-Covid living. But as we go into this new year, I think it’s time to slow down and make sure every project brings me joy.

So, I am going to write—I have two novels to finish.

I am going to stay in community with wonderful writers, in part by hosting writing retreats—I’m driving off for the first one in Neskowin in two days’ time.

I am going to engage in conversation. Here’s my recent discussion with Ann Edwards, book marketer past and future for HarperOne, HarperCollins, about why authors should actively market their books, and how.

And my next chat, scheduled for February 22nd, 6:00pm-7:00pm PT, will be with Susan Chang, ex-Senior Editor of Tor Books, Macmillan. We’re going to get into those choppy waters about diversity, representation, swimming in and out of lane, all that stuff.

If you’d like to reserve a seat, fill out the form below.

I am going to teach—I have Stanford courses and conferences coming up.

I am going to edit. I have some yummy manuscripts in queue.

BUT, also…

I am going to paint—I have a new painting on my easel, and three blank gallery canvases waiting their turn.

I am going to read. Anything I want. For pleasure.

I am going to take care of my mom.

I am going to cherish my husband—and all the people who make up my family.

Once a week, I am going to chop vegetables for Martha’s Kitchen.

And I am going to walk my dog, Shadow, attuned to the light in the trees. (Well, when I can wake him up.)

I wish you all the joy I wish for myself, and hope our paths cross in 2022.

Happy writing,

Shirin