…beggars would ride. Yes, I know my Mother Goose. Would that I were riding that horse!

Another Reply O’ Doom this week. Well, right back out there, baby!

This weekend I plan to do some revision, actually work on something new and take time to review my queries. Perhaps that is my weak spot, not that the book can’t be sold.

I find myself saying a lot “I WISH.” So even though once again I’m bushed from the day job, I thought I’d make a quick list of all my writing-related wishes. Can I make some of them come true? Let’s see.

I WISH…
That someone I query will be intrigued enough to actually ask to see my manuscript.

I CAN…
Make this happen by improving my queries and targeting them better. I can read up on effective queries and check the bookstore for titles like mine, perhaps query those agencies.

I WISH…
Whoever reads it will love it and want to represent me.

I CAN…
Keep trying. This is the only way. And keep writing other books, because this one may get read but it may never sell. That’s the way it goes sometimes.

I WISH…
I could win enough money from Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes to write full-time.

I CAN…
Keep sending in those entries! In the meantime, take better care of my finances, get bills paid off and save what little I can. Once I’m making some money with my writing, continue these good habits. Being self-employed will require more money savvy and discipline and I need to work on that. So I should begin practicing that now, with an eye to the future.

I WISH…
People would be more understanding of how hard it is to write.

I CAN…
Ignore people who don’t get it. I shouldn’t let them dismiss or diminish what I am doing. It’s not a hobby; I’m trying to start a new career. It may not pay for a while but I fully intend to do my best to get it off the ground. I’m the only one who can decide when to abandon the effort.

I WISH…
My writing will get better and better.

I CAN…
Read. Practice. Study on my own. Keep practicing. Set a schedule to do “homework,” and do writing exercises weekly. I have plenty of books to get me going.

I WISH…
That I would never run out of ideas.

I CAN…
Use the ones I have; there will be more if I keep the imagination flowing by tapping the well.

I WISH…
Personal things will work out in my favor so I don’t have to worry about them anymore.

I CAN…
Try to keep a neutral countenance in certain places, if not a cheerful one. I should not waste energy on people who don’t care about me and only use me. I must not let them have power over me. They may have power for now. They can be mean or arbitrary or unfair, but they can never make me feel bad about myself. I rock and always will.

I WISH…
To make my friends and family proud of me.

I CAN…
Do my best and try, always try, even if I don’t make it. I can remember to tell them how I feel about them, because life is short and I may never get the chance. So all of you, I love you and thanks for your support! *HUGS*

I WISH…
To do the same for my readers, to please them and make them happy they took a chance on me.

I CAN…
Remember to say thank you every time someone tells me he/she liked what I wrote, and respond to as many blog comments as I can as long as I can. I appreciate each and every one of them. Also, I can listen to any legitimate feedback they give and weigh it carefully when I make my next writing choices.

These are but a few of my wishes; I’ll leave out the ones about cookies magically losing all calories but no taste, and that my car could fly so I wouldn’t have to tailgate some slowpoke for ten blocks.

If you have any creative or professional wishes that keep you going, please share them in the comments.