I'm Back! Really.

I'm not going to write a post about all my resolutions for 2011. The list would be way too long. But I will tell you what my plans are for the blog and my writing.

1. No more slacking. I got a little overwhelmed in 2010 for several reasons, most of them totally unrelated to writing. But new year, new me, right? Sure, Abby. Whatever you say.... ;)

2. I will blog regularly. I think I've got my head in order now (doesn't mean I'm sane), so I've set a schedule for the blog. I'll be posting three days a week.

Making it Up as I Go Monday: This will be the day I focus on writing topics. I'm far from an expert, hence the title. :)

Word Tip Wednesday: Since technology and I usually get along pretty well, I'm always finding new and exciting ways to use MS Word to make my writing life easier, so I thought I'd share a tip a week rather than keep it all to myself. I don't know how many posts this will produce, but I'll keep it going as long as possible. And I might throw in some spreadsheet tips for Excel while I'm at it. The spreadsheet I made for my WIP has been so helpful in keeping things organized, especially as I've been putting together outlines for the sequels to EMBROL. That's right, I said outlines. I, self-proclaimed pantser, made outlines. Yea! More on that in a minute.

Totally Random Friday: I think this one is pretty self-explanatory.

3. I will complete a new project that has nothing to do with EMBROL. I've spent the last two years focused on EMBROL--writing, revising, rewriting from scratch, more revising and rewriting. It's close to ready to query, so I need to start something new. And I need to prove to myself that I can follow through on something different without being sucked back into Olivia and Jack's world.

4. I will outline. I've discovered some new techniques for getting my thoughts in order before I start writing scenes, so I plan to implement those and hopefully have a little less chaos in my writing. Maybe I'll even do a post or two about how it works out, to maybe help some of my fellow pantsers out there. :)

Thanks, everyone, for hanging in there with me while I got my act together. I've missed all of you! I'm looking forward to catching up. :)

So, what are your plans for the new year? Anything huge? Any big news I missed?