Just Believe: Making New Year's Resolutions into Reality

It's New Year's Day, a time for starting those resolutions. In the spirit of new beginnings, I thought I'd share a personal story of a very special resolution.

In 2004, a writer friend of mine, Suzanne McMinn, suggested that I set up my own website. At the time, I was unpublished and struggling to sell a historical romance set in medieval Ireland. I was a little leery of websites, but she pointed out I was at a point in my career when I had plenty of time to create it, and I might as well start thinking about what I wanted. Plus, when I sold my first book, it would be one less thing to worry about.

That fall, I sent off a proposal to Harlequin Mills and Boon and decided that a website wouldn't hurt. After all, who was going to see it? As I played with the website, I added book blurbs and pretended to be a "real author." I even did a mock-up book cover and taped it onto one of my paperbacks. Later, I jokingly set up a web page for my medieval Irish warriors, complete with book titles and blurbs. And suddenly it struck me, that my warriors could become real, but only if I believed in myself.

That New Year in 2005, I made up my mind that I was going to do everything within my power to become a published author. But the key was believing it would happen. As I finished editing the full manuscript requested by Mills and Boon, I told myself that this book would be read by thousands of people. I couldn't afford to make mistakes. Before I mailed the book, I made sure that I had done everything I could to make this manuscript The One That Would Sell.

I couldn't realistically make a New Year's Resolution I would sell a book. After all, that was beyond my control. The only thing I could control was the quality of my writing and continually trying to become better. So that year, I resolved to Act As If I Were Published. It meant writing every day, revising, editing, and behaving like a professional. Instead of haunting the mailbox and stalking the phone, I reminded myself that published authors keep writing. And so I finished two more books.

When my first revision request arrived from Mills and Boon that May, I was stunned and thrilled at the same time. An editor was taking the time to work with me, and I was going to do whatever it took to bring the book up to the quality level she wanted. I had one shot—and I wasn't going to miss.

I mailed the revisions and kept writing. I even hired a professional web designer to revamp my website, as a way of celebrating. The editor e-mailed with more revisions that September, and I understood that I had someone willing to help me. I wasn't there yet, but she believed I could get there. I worked harder than ever on the book, pouring blood, sweat, and determination on every page.

That New Year, in 2006, I bought an extra bottle of champagne. Because I believed I was going to sell. I think my motivation and attitude started to flow into the universe because when I joined a local chapter of Romance Writers of America, they mistakenly printed me in the directory as a published author. I smiled to myself, because I believed it wasn't a misprint—it was just a matter of time. Sure enough, in September of 2006, I got The Call from my editor, wanting to buy the manuscript. It became Her Irish Warrior, my first book.

Since then, I've published two more books with Mills and Boon, the most recent being Her Warrior King. My medieval Irish warrior series became a reality, and I think it was truly because I had faith in my dream. It wasn't just a New Year's resolution—it was a personal promise.

When you set out to do your New Year's Resolutions this year, make goals that you truly believe in. Act as if you'll succeed. And who knows what might happen? Your dream just might come true.

As a fun way to start the new year, tell me what your dream is. I'll do a random drawing from the comments and choose a winner to receive a signed copy of Her Warrior King. Happy New Year!

Michelle Willingham is the author of three novels: Her Irish Warrior, The Warrior's Touch, and Her Warrior King. Visit her website at: http://www.michellewillingham.com/ for excerpts and more details.