2015 was a fantastic year. In the inevitable ups and downs, the Lord blessed me abundantly with His steadfast love and mercy. With it being the new year, I think it is only fitting that I dedicate this post to looking back on blessings and looking forward to goals.
Blessings of 2015 and now:
-The Sea Scribblers Short Story Contest was a success, thanks to the wonderful Annie and Schuyler, and of course everyone who participated.
-My WIP is nearly ready for beta readers. *squeal*
-I am in possession of seven new beautiful notebooks as of last night, and I cannot wait to start putting them to good use (read: MORE STORIES).
-I was given Nadine Brandes’s book A Time to Die for Christmas, and I am wildly excited to start reading it.
-My newfound love for opera/Placido Domingo. I had been crazy over a song or two sung by Placido Domingo in the past, but in this last month, I have been swept away in the great amount of absolutely gorgeous music he has done. It is making me a better, deeper writer. No, really.
-All my dear writing/blogging/Twitter friends and family. All of you who have encouraged, prayed, and helped me out this year—you have been an incredible blessing to me!
-New story ideas. As much as I can be hard on those little fellows, they are what make writing exciting and worthwhile to me.
-New fancy coffee. Enough said.
Looking Forward:
I love goals. Every time the new year rolls around, without fail I open a new word document or a fresh page in my notebook and scribble down my goals, hopes, and dreams for that year.
Of course, looking back, I always see how priorities change as the year goes by, and being the incredible optimist I am where goals are concerned, it is rare that everything gets done. Still, it doesn’t hurt to give yourself something to shoot for.
-Read 55 books. I did a little over thirty last year, and I think with some careful consistency, I can do a little more. If any of you have a book you are dying to share, please let me know, I’m looking for new and interesting ones!
-Write two to three novels and four novellas/short stories.
-Have my WIP (Crowning Heaven) progressed to the point at which I can start querying it to professionals.
-Start a writer’s group. No clue at all if this one will happen, but I like to dream.
-Take some writing classes to expand my horizons and stretch me a little.
And for fun:
-Be able to speak/understand enough Italian to understand an opera without subtitles.
-Build up my breath support and technique so I can tackle bigger vocal pieces.
Are you setting goals for 2016? What are some of your reading/writing goals?
Emily Hayse 
Wow you have a lot of writing planned. Best of luck with that (and beta reading rounds as well)<3 I don't think I could handle that many long pieces in a year, at least not at the stage of (in)competence I'm currently in.
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Thanks! This is certainly going to be an exciting/scary year, but I am looking forward to it. 🙂
-Emily
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