Underpants go on last

Hey there fellow bookaholics! Can we take a moment to soak in a brand-spanking-new year? Exciting, right? But here's the kicker—if you're like me, last year's TBR pile or, in my case, a TBW (to be written) pile is still a teetering monster. One that has the bedside table near collapse.

You wake on the first, all pumped and ready to conquer the reading world in the coming year. You've got a series you want to start, or finish, and yet you keep being sidetracked by the next shiny thing. The one everybody on TikTok is talking about. The one with the foiled edges and embossing. Hmmm, so pretty.

Readers aren't alone in this; writers face exactly the same problem. Do you know how many covers I have waiting in the wings? It's a lot. All I need to do is write the books. A piece of cake, right?

However, between the excitement and the promise of a gazillion words, there's this nagging feeling of, "How am I going to manage all of this?" The struggle is not only real; it's busy working on fancy dance moves with my sanity.

Starting the year with an overflowing to-do list is like entering a chocolate shop half-an-hour before dinner. You'll not only ruin your appetite, you'll end up with chocolate all over your face.

Okay, so not a complete loss, then.

Suddenly, I'm facing the challenge of not just being a writer but a juggler of time, deadlines, and, oh yeah, maintaining a social life. Actually, let's just make that a life. Now, I'm all for riding the creative wave, but let's get real about the chaos that comes with it.

Prioritizing is a superhero skill I've yet to master, although I am trying. Which project do I tackle first while trying not to feel guilty about neglecting the others?

It's not all bad news, though. There's a silver lining in this creative storm, and that's growth. Yep, you heard me. Surviving the whirlwind of words forces me to level up my skills, discover new writing techniques, and become the superhero writer I aspire to be. Never mind if this sees me wearing my underpants over my yoga tights. I'm sure I can pull it off.

So, here's to all the bookaholics out there. Embrace the chaos, find joy in the journey, and enjoy that book, even if it's out of order. Let's rock this year, one word at a time!