Since the day after Christmas, I have been participating in Julie Hedlund's 12 Days of Christmas for Writers, in which we reflect on the past year and think about the new year in terms of writing. 

Again, I used Dayspring's Find Your Word Generator. And on the left you can see my word for 2019--Courage! I added a verse + a cool quote from prolific author, Jane Yolen, that she had written in a Facebook post just today!

I need to remember COURAGE when I have to face new challenges and experiences, such as author visits to schools and other new places & faces. I'm quiet, not very outgoing, so it takes courage to do new things!

Let me tell you briefly about 3 such times of courage in which I met 3 new people regarding my book.

1. Gave cookies to my son's hairdresser who is North Korean, showed her the cover of my book, and asked her some questions regarding my work in progress. (Giving Christmas cookies in Korea is not a common thing at all, in fact, my husband had to explain.)

2. Attended a lunch at the U.S. diplomats' house last Saturday in Seoul, connected by a mutual friend, who gave their kindergarten daughter my book, which I got to read to her. The husband & wife team are both diplomats.

3. Met Molly Holt of Holt International Adoption Services in Seoul, whose parents found the organization, and of whom my sister and I are adopted. I gave her a copy of RICE FROM HEAVEN, and she gave me 2 books her mother had written. I wanted her to read a story I had written about her parents and check for accuracy. And double-whammy--Molly's sister Linda happened to be visiting her, so she read my story also. If it's ever published, I'll send them both copies.

Happy 2019! Maybe it be a blessed year for you! Find your word for this year & share!

I have been participating in Julie Hedlund's 12 Days of Christmas for Writers. As she has us reflect on what we've accomplished in 2017, we also come up with focus words for 2018. I choose CREATE and BE BRAVE.

I would like to CREATE more new stories than I did last year. And one of the ways I'm doing so is also participating in Tara Lazar's Storystorm Challenge, coming up with 30 book ideas in this month of January.

I want to BE BRAVE this year with all the marketing and publicity I have to do for my books coming out in August. I'm rather a shy person, so to speak in front of adults and not children is intimidating for me. I also need to BE BRAVE and taking steps of faith in living for God.

A fun word generator to find your word of truth for 2018 is from Dayspring. Check here.

What are your forcus words for 2018?