The new calendar year officially begins January 1st, 2021 where I live, but on the Chinese zodiac it begins February 12th. The symbol this year is the metal ox and this sign is known as hardworking, active, always busy and socially popular. Sounds good to me!
As you read this post, I am taking a dip in the Atlantic Ocean with my badass family and probably screeching like a banshee. It gets even colder after you dive under. Trust me on this one… when the breeze hits your body, it’s frosty!
What began almost fourteen or fifteen years ago as a triple-dog-dare is now a hard-wired, sorry to tell you Bruce Willis, “Die Hard” is NOT a Christmas movie. Every once in a while we have someone crazy enough to visit and they come with.
I love starting the New Year with something silly, wild...like the extra 80s outfit below. :-)
What does this ritual do other than create an extra load of laundry and a soggy bottom? Thanks for asking. Here goes…
It’s a right of passage in a measurable way. Water as a physical barrier between old and new, cold and dark ocean as in diving headfirst into fear and perhaps if you can’t see to the bottom, the great unknown that is a brand new year.
If I had a million dollars and the hindsight to know what 2020 looked like, would I have been so popover fresh ready begin? After taking a deep, cleansing breath, yes and here’s why. Misery, loss and everything else that pushed us to our limits, hell to the no. Just no. I miss you C.M. I miss you all the damn time.
Rising up to find courage, hoping on the bleakest of days that we might be okay and creating something from the roughest of beginnings…better, closer, yes and oh my gosh yes!
What shall we do? I’m looking forward to NEW possibilities!
I have a few #writing projects rolling. I know, I know. Nothing new for Bibiana the maniacal, workaholic fiction writer. I have to stay busy or I sulk. Bad look, because I still have not found truly waterproof mascara. Lancôme, and L’Oreal, feel free to send me samples anytime!
MONT PELIER by Bibiana Krall is almost here. Book #4 in the #IrishPhantomSeries. Not kidding…it’s epic. Rivalry between a god and a goddess is nothing to sneeze at. Throw in some history and Celtic myth who whee, it’s a wild ride and unlike anything else out there. There may even be a special boxed set in the future! #ReadOriginal #BlackCalyx
I am also querying THE BOATHOUSE, a mystery that I put away for awhile, because I am not very good at query letters, but I am working hard to change that.
We are still doing #BOOKEM January 13th is the kickoff for 2021. I can’t even begin to say how incredible it’s been to work closely with authors' Veronica Cline Barton and Amy Reade.
I love their mysteries and if you read cozy, gothic or historical you really need to check them out. Hit me up in a DM or text and I will suggest a title to start you off.
Not to mention the wonderful authors and readers who have agreed to be guests on the show and our loyal subscribers. We really couldn’t do it without you and we love you for walking with us and cheering this project on!
#BOOKEM started during the pandemic as a way to get people reading and away from the news and it seems to have it own velocity.
Do me a solid, and if you haven't already, subscribe to this blog if you vibe to what I have to say. Please also consider purchasing one of my books or short stories, and then read and review it. I managed to read and review sixty books on Goodreads this year and I will challenge myself to learn and grow from other creatives and change makers in 2021.
Many of you are already familiar with my creative work and I cannot say how much it means. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
If you are a #reader, online #reviews literally make or break the visibility of a story, author, brand, business, website, anything these days actually and it means the world to us when someone takes the time to do it. Please support creativity, small businesses and freedom of speech however you are able to.
I for one would have gone right over the edge without books and films to soothe my frazzled nerves, and not just this past year either. What joy there is in books to find characters that understand me without having to explain anything at all.
Last request and this is an easy one. Breathe. Be grateful for something, anything. If something needs to change, grapple it like a hungry Grizzly and take that bad boy down. If you need help with the actual moves, let me know. I have three athletic brothers... :-)
You have a new year ahead of you and I wish you the very best and a sincere hope that things improve for all of us. Thank you for reading my blogs and stories and being an important part of my writing life. Stay positive and take care my friends.
Until next time, find your Peace, Love, Hustle, then Read or Write. Xox Bibiana