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Raise your hand if you enjoyed 2020.

(looks around; slowly raises hand)

It’s been hard to admit this, but I didn’t hate 2020. I know it was hard for a lot of people—I had my own bouts of tears and frustrations. Overall, however, it was a pretty good year. Different, but good.

And now it’s time to move on.

Regardless of what happened in 2020—if your book was published or rejected; if you had your best sales year or your worst—2021 is a clean slate. If you messed up this past year, or if someone misused or hurt you in some way, now’s your chance to forgive and forget.

I’ve never actually liked that phrase. I prefer forgive and learn.

Did you self-publish a book and have menial sales? Look at what you did wrong and learn from it. Don’t make the same mistake next year.

Did you send out query letters and get zero responses? Find someone (or hire someone!) to review it for you and apply their advice to your next query. Improve your pitch.

It doesn’t matter if someone wronged you or if you’re your own worst enemy. The new year gives you the chance to start fresh, so take advantage of it!

What do you want to do differently this year? How can I help you with that?