An Optimist’s View of the New Year
by Ann Chaney
January 28, 2022
You should never ask a “glass half full” optimist this question. I wake up every morning with a firm belief that today will be a better day. I admit in the last two years I’ve had to dig deep to find my optimism. As for 2022, I’m looking forward to so many things So, here goes. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Of course, along with everyone else on the planet I would like to see an end to Covid. Imagine the celebrations next New Year’s Eve if Covid was eradicated or, if that’s too great a possibility, then maybe the virus’s impact would be lessened. Hey, did I mention I think big? I’ve been reading on FB how many believe Covid is here to stay. I hope they are wrong. Wouldn’t it be great if the lead story on the Evening News wasn’t about Covid? Like all writers, I love words. I can’t wait for the day when I speak of the virus in the past tense.
I would like to travel again. Spur of the moment trips to places I’ve never been and places I want to revisit. I love visiting other countries. My husband John and I are Army veterans, so travel is second nature to us. We do suffer from a little known side effect of Covid… the wasting away of our wander lust. We are most comfortable at home. Covid has really cramped our style.
As for travel in US, we’ve travelled from coast to coast and are looking forward to doing so again. Those many hours in the car are priceless. We chat about everything. My husband swears I can get in the car in our driveway in FL and go across country to CA with him without ever running out of something to talk about. The topics are endless. Our years together, our medical issues, how I want to renovate our home, our kids, grandkids, friends, where are we stopping for the night, what we are going to eat, funny car colors we spot on the road, what we saw the last time we drove through, what we want to see on this trip. FYI: my favorite is driving through Glenwood Canyon in the summer. Breathtaking! I think you get the picture! I’m more than ready for that first road trip.
I’m looking forward to feeling safe again. The pandemic has robbed me of my freedom to move about as I wish. I haven’t felt safe in almost two years. Every action I take each day is based on my vulnerability to the virus. Remembering to wear a mask, maintaining social distance, no hand shaking, and perhaps the worst is no hugs. I’m a Southerner so hugs are an integral part of my DNA!
I have dreams about going to writing conferences again. I have only attended one in-person writing conference since 2019. Writing conferences are wonderful. Writing is a solitary occupation. Attending a conference, seeing old friends, making new friends, talking about writerly things feeds my soul. I always go home with renewed energy to sit down and write.
Looking back at what I’ve written every paragraph has been about wanting my pre-Covid life back. I’m sure everyone has learned as I have, we must move forward no matter how difficult that journey may be.
What am I looking forward to most in 2022? Being a writer. Publishing my books. Writing a new series. Writing a contemporary romantic suspense novella. Spreading my wings and filling my soul with energy and joy.
I write Regency Romances with the bedroom door closed. Really all doors are closed which means no sex. My book, my call.
In March 2022, my third book, Dangerous Illusions, of my Lords of Whitehall series will be published. The first two books Dangerous Pursuit and Dangerous Liaison are available through Amazon.
The series is about three young lords, agents for the Crown, who are duty-bound to defend the King and his government. Each of my heroes is determined to remain unattached. A belief we all know is short-term at best.
Short-termed because of three headstrong ladies who join the lords in a quest to expose a band of conspirators who call themselves The 1804 Society. Once the ladies insist on being part of their exploits, the fun really starts. My heroes are quite proficient in routing the King’s enemies but fall dismally short when dealing with my ladies.
I hope you have a list of what you are looking forward to in 2022. May all your wishes and dreams come true. Happy 2022!
Ann Chaney writes historical romance novels set in Regency England in the early 19th century. A nomad, a volunteer, a dreamer and an obsessive organizer best describe Ann Chaney. In the last 36 years, she and her husband have moved eleven times. Her professional career included serving on active duty in the US Army for seven years and working 30 years in various administrative roles in primarily Human Resources and university administration. Her first book, Dangerous Pursuit won the 2016 Historical Unpublished category Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery & Suspense. In 2019 the book was designated as a finalist for RWA’s 2019 Golden Heart contest.
