NEW YEAR - NEW/OLD IDEAS

Post by Doris McCraw
writing as Angela Raines

Photo property of the author

First post of 2020. So what kind of year will it be? One of the writing prompts from the December 26 improv writing session was, "What do you want to accomplish in 2020?" Well, I wrote, "I want to finish this blasted book."

You see I've been working on a book that I hope to finish and submit soon. It is a story that has taken on a life of its own and I've been learning so much about the characters. That is one of the reasons for the delay. I want to make sure their story is told the best I can tell it.

In the meantime, I continue to read and perform as Helen. In honor of the New Year, I want to share a poem of hers that resonated with me. Additionally, I like to share what I garnered from her writing practices that may be helpful. I'll start with the poem.

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New Year's Morning
by Helen Hunt Jackson

Only a night from old to new!

Only a night, and so much wrought!

The Old Year's heart all weary grew,

But said: "The New Year rest has brought."

The Old Year's hopes its heart laid down,

"The blossoms of the New Year's crown

As in a grave; but, trusting, said: Bloom from the ashes of the dead."

And cried: "I have not half I need.

The Old Year's heart was full of greed; With selfishness it longed and ached,

True love it shall understand;

My thirst is bitter and unslaked. But to the New Year's generous hand All gifts in plenty shall return;

I was a slave; it shall go free,

By all my failures it shall learn. I have been reckless; it shall be Quiet and calm and pure of life.

The Old Year had its work to do;

And find sweet peace where I leave strife." Only a night from old to new! Never a night such changes brought. No New Year miracles are wrought.

All nights are sacred nights to make

Always a night from old to new! Night and the healing balm of sleep! Each morn is New Year's morn come true, Morn of a festival to keep. Confession and resolve and prayer;

Each sunrise sees a new year born.

All days are sacred days to wake New gladness in the sunny air. Only a night from old to new; Only a sleep from night to morn.

The new is but the old come true;

Each sunrise sees a new year born.

What I learned from Helen's writing and business practices

1. Helen would rise and start writing around 5 AM and continue until about Noon every day of the week, unless she was feeling ill.

2. When she wrote "Ramona" she spent eight months in a hotel in New York writing the story. (Remember this was hand written)

3. If a publisher did not want to pay her what she thought her work was worth, she would find someone who would.

4. She kept a journal where she would track her submission and what she was paid for them.

5. Helen started writing late in life, but the amount of work she turned out was amazing

6. Helen observed the world around her, vividly writing about the people, places and things she saw. 

7. Helen did not limit her work to just one genre. She wrote poetry, essays, novels and of course non-fiction books. 

8. Helen not only read other authors, she reviewed their works and encouraged others to put their work out into the world. (This also included her friend, Emily Dickenson)

So there you have what I've garnered from my study of Helen (Hunt) Jackson. I find her a great role model.

I wish all of you the very best in 2020, that your stories find their readers, that your fingers fly across your keyboards, and you find joy in the books you read. I also thank each and every one of you for the continued support and ro Prairie Rose Publications for bringing our stories out into the world.

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History


Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet



Books: Angela Raines Books

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here