Last November, I was privileged to attend an amazing author intensive learning weekend, hosted by the fabulous Skye Warren. Romance Authors Mastermind weekend was mind-blowing and life-changing.

One of the presenters asked us all to choose a word to represent our goals, our hopes and our plans for 2020. At the time, I wasn’t sure what to choose. I like to think that my relationship with my readers is marked with affection and compassion (it goes both ways!). But that didn’t feel quite right. I told some of my fellow authors that maybe my word for 2020 should be MINE, in that I’m making these twelve months my own. Good still, but not quite.

Tonight, I realized what my word for 2020 is, and it hit me with certainty and a sort of fierce determination:

COMMIT.

For a long time, I’ve toyed with the idea of quitting this authoring business. While I love it, and being a published author is a dream come true, it’s also hard and painful and disheartening. More times than I can count, I’ve wondered if I’m meant to be doing this.

This past year, I came closer to throwing in the towel than I ever have. My sales are down. I don’t have money to re-invest in advertising. I’ve questioned if what I write really matters.

But in 2020, no more questioning. No more self-doubt. My word is COMMIT, and that is the word I am living out. I’m hoping y’all will hold me accountable, and if you see me wavering, just email me or comment here or post on social media to me:

COMMIT.

And if I can do that–and I CAN–then 2020 will not only be mine . . . it can be ours.