Spring Resolutions-Reading, Writing, & Blogs

Most people make New Year’s resolutions, but I have decided to make mid-spring resolutions instead. The middle of May seems as good a time as any for resolutions. Some of those resolutions follow:

1. Resume writing consistent blog posts.
   I enjoy blogging and have published ninety posts since I began on May 20, 2022. Over the last year, my posting has become infrequent because I spend so much time and energy writing and promoting my published books. I also work on other writing projects. Recently, I completed Education Guides for my books and am working on some other novel manuscripts. So, blogging has fallen behind. But, I love blogging and resolve to do better.
   
2. Read more.
   I resolve to read, in no particular order, as many Newbery Medal books as I can locate. The John Newbery Medal (also called the Newbery Award) is the most prestigious literary award given for children’s literature in the United States. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), gives the award each year. The first Newbery Award was given in 1922.
   There are many children’s books I have loved throughout my life. One of my all time favorites is Anne of Green Gables, which I read in fifth grade. For well over a hundred years, children and adults alike have enjoyed this book but, of course, it was never eligible for a Newbery Medal as the author Lucy Maud Montgomery was Canadian, and the Newbery is given each year “to the author of the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children published by an American publisher in the United States in English during the previous year.” (John Newbery Medal,” American Library Association). The Newbery Award “is restricted to authors who are citizens or residents of the United Stated.” (Ibid.).
   I also hope to revisit many more books (besides Newbery winners) that I loved as a child. Yesterday, I came across an old copy of Jean Webster’s book Daddy Long-Legs, written in 1912. Again, I loved it when I was a child in the 1960’s. I loved middle-grade books back then and still do today. C. S. Lewis, and undoubtedly others, has said that a children’s book that only children like, is not a very good book.
   
3. Continue to write books and promote. With traditional publishing nothing is ever. guaranteed, but I will soldier on. 😏
4. Continue my Literary Texas posts about famous Texas writers or Texas-related writers.
5. Breathe.

WHAT I AM READING NOW

The View from Saturday by e.l. konigsburg, John Newbery Medal 1997

The Business of Being a Writer (Second Edition) by Jane Friedman, Pub. 2025

Works Cited

”John Newbery Medal, “ AmericanLibrary Association, March 24, 2021 https://www.ala.org/a/c/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newbery (Acessed May 12, 2025) Document ID: 92382fal-Cecil-473f-a92c-a56b7d9f15bf