Suit Up, Strap In, It’s Game Time

Posted in Writing by JustineWinter

The year of 2014 closes in, and I sit here changing my thoughts over the type of post this will be. While many have blogged about their highlights of the past twelve months, including ways in which they’d like to change for 2015, that’s not what I’m going to do. This time last year I posted (here) that I wasn’t one for setting resolutions I knew I couldn’t, and wouldn’t keep. And again, I’m not doing that. It’s not who I am.

My mindset works on the fact that if I want something, I’m going to do whatever it takes to get it from the moment I think about it – not wait until a new year begins. So, if you’re the type of person that needs the reset button of a new year, that’s fantastic. Now’s your chance to suit up. You can do it.

I planned on writing this whole spiel about my goals, what I’ve learned, how I keep my optimism even when negativity comes knocking on the door, and how I intend to increase productivity. But I’m not going to. I don’t need to. My mind is at peace with my decisions, and all you need to know is that I’m going to rock them. Tackle them down like a raging rugby player, and rise with a satisfactory grin on my face. Because that’s what I do.

What I will say is I’m diving into the new year with a business mind ready to conquer the world one story at a time. This picture is exactly my current state of mind:

In 2013 Nature’s Destiny’s first draft was written.
In 2014 Nature’s Destiny published. Sapphire’s Divinity was written & published. Guardians Dynasty was written & is now with beta readers. Plus numerous side projects I haven’t finished developing yet.
And 2015? Well, it’s going to be an explosion. My sleeves are rolled, my specs are on, and my mind is filled with many inspiring embers flickering to life.

This is one Winter prepared to stay indefinitely.

2015 – I’m coming for you.

13Jul2014

Putting Action Into Dreams

Posted in Writing by JustineWinter

Set your goals high, and don’t stop until you get there.
– Bo Jackson

Do you lie in bed at night, staring at the ceiling while you imagine the life you desperately want? There’s no shame in admitting you do, because I always do. Let’s face it, I bet you’ve thought about winning the lottery more than once. And that’s okay, because dreams are healthy.

But, I want to talk about going another step further than dreams; Goals. Recently, I realised just how many goals I actually have, and without tangible proof they were just a flying fancy fluttering through my thoughts. What did I do?

This:

I created a Goals jar, and then filled it up with everything I want to achieve.

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Why?

Because I have every intention of achieving every single one no matter how long it takes to get there. Without something to look forward to, to strive towards, I float around wandering aimlessly. I need direction, I thrive when I’m busy working towards my newest idea. It gives me purpose, a reason to go on. However, I’m not saying it’s easy. But even with the knock backs, negativity, criticism, and judgement, I still have the goal that keeps me on track. I still believe that I’m capable of achieving it because I want it. It’s important to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I have massive aspirations; buy an Aston Martin DBS, pen a successful television series… But I’m willing to put in the time and effort it takes to get there because nobody else is going to do it for me.

I’ve seen my dream, I’ve created a goal, and now it’s time for me to achieve it.

I hope you chase yours too.

29Dec2013

Reflect And Renew Resolutions

Posted in Writing by JustineWinter

2013 was the year I vowed was for me, not because I depended upon luck, but because I promised myself to make things better. I was stuck in the shadows of my past as they tore away at me day by day. I was becoming hollow, a mere figment of the person I once was.

I wasn’t the type to create resolutions year upon year that I already knew I wouldn’t keep. Determination couldn’t succeed if belief and willpower wasn’t behind it. Why set yourself up for a fall?

I didn’t. I succeeded because I believed in myself to not give up, not this time. Being ambitious and determined didn’t make me naive, it made me dangerous.

A person with a dream and a goal was far more likely to succeed than somebody who didn’t.

Who was the fool now?

Like a Phoenix I rose from the ashes of my buried past, and made the year better.

I hadn’t set out to write my debut novel this year, but like a sequence of events everything clicked together. The pattern that formed soon after was what led me here. The secret?

Reading. Never underestimate the power of a good book. It led me to write mine, to create this blog, and most importantly to connect with others in the wonderful writing community.

While they may not be resolutions, I do have a plan for the writing year ahead:

January 1st will be the day I begin writing the sequel to my novel Nature’s Destiny. I’m super excited about extending the journey that begins in my debut, and I cannot wait to expand on the ideas I’ve had rolling around my mind for the past few months.
Nature’s Destiny will be published. I’m nearing the end of my editing process, and will soon be depending on my beta readers.

While I cannot promise to know exactly what will happen in the long-term future, I do know that I’ll make the most of it. Why? Because being optimistic has given me the better outlook on life. The time I wasted trapped in the past changed my perception. The clock continues to tick whether I want it to or not, only now there isn’t a minute I want to waste.

Writing has become the essence of my being, and I’ll make sure it has a place in my future.

2013 was my year. Will 2014 be yours?