Exposing the Secret Identity and the Goals for the New Year

The New Year. That phrase spanks of promise. It's not that we just turn our calendar to month one yet again--we get a blank slate. A mulligan. A do-over. A fresh start. A whole New Year.

Fill it with whatever you please. Something good!

In honor of the fresh start, I am revealing something about myself. When I started this whole blogging thing, on the scary Internet, I chose a name that was close to my own. I wanted to occasionally post pictures of my kids, and didn't want to worry about the weirdos out there. I've counseled teenage sex-offenders, for Pete's sake! Also, I'm cautious and suspicious by nature. I always second guess a stranger's motives. I wear my heart on my sleeve. And I like wearing my heart there. What you see is what you get. So, I guard that sleeve a bit. But I also trust my instincts about people. And the thing is, I like all of you. You've been nothing but supportive and kind. I no longer want to hide behind a facade. So, as a New Year's present to you, I'm revealing my secret identity.

Wa-laa! My name is not Heather Lane, but Heather Elaine Kelly. (There's a maiden name thrown in there as well, but let me preserve some of my mystery--although if you've followed from the beginning, you know that as well.) Anyway, one of my nicknames when I was a small child was Heather 'Laine. Hence the blogging identity.

Now that I've revealed the Real Me, on to the Real Resolutions.

1. I will finish editing my MG fantasy to the point where I would be proud to show it to Katherine Hannigan, Ingrid Law, Linda Urban, Kate Messner, Wendy Mass, or Erica Orloff. (I will, however, resist stalking these authors.)

2. I will finish editing my absurd YA fantasy to the point where I would be proud to show it to Kristin Cashore, Suzanne Collins, Maggie Stiefvater, or James Kennedy. (Once again, I will not send my ms to said authors.)

3. I will start querying. (I will even resist stalking said authors' agents.)

4. I will not dissolve into a puddle of goo at all the rejection letters.

5. I will start writing a new novel.

6. I will continue blogging each week, and hopefully update some of the Journeys Toward Publication Interviews as those writers go off and get published. (Help me out with this goal, everyone--it's up to you!)

And, the overall goal: TO LIVE LIFE DELIBERATELY. To make my intentions show through my actions. To grow closer to my overall goals of getting published, raise healthy kids, and love my marriage. To treat the world as my own family. To pay attention to what the universe is telling me, and to be open to that message.

So, what about you--what author would inspire your best writing, if they were in your critique group? And since we're dreaming, who would you want to write your blurb on your bookflap?