Mine has a shot of coconut and one of almond: liquid Almond Joy. How about yours?
If we were having hot cocoa, I’d tell you I’m so ready for 2015 to be over. The holidays stress me out, and most years I long for them to be behind me. I want to just curl up in my bed and wake up on January 1. But that’s not how life works, at least for this girl. How are you feeling about Christmas and New Years?
If we were having hot cocoa, I’d tell you it’s getting cold in Minnesota. I only noticed it on Friday, actually. It’s been so ridiculously nice (thanks, El Nino!) that I sometimes feel like, “We’re not in Minnesota anymore, Toto,” but on Friday, there was such a crisp, deep freeze in the air. It made me feel depressed. I wonder if, when I’m older, I’ll be the kind of person who winters in a warmer place. So many of my friends love Minnesota’s four seasons, love the snow, even love the cold … but I can’t seem to share in that joy. Especially when I consider that– technically— winter hasn’t even started yet. What’s the weather like where you’re from?
If we were having hot cocoa, I’d tell you that I’m surprised by [highlight for Truest spoiler] how many people think West cheated on Elliot by kissing Silas. I guess I never thought of it that way. And I even consider [cheating] one of the things I also dislike in books! I’ve been wowed by how many reviewers bring it up. Sigh.
If we were having hot cocoa, I’d tell you that I have some exciting opportunities on the horizon. Unfortunately, that’s all I can say about that. But if you’re the praying sort of person, you could certainly pray about this for me!
If we were having hot cocoa, I’d tell you my thoughts about compartmentalization are changing. Growing up (and especially growing up in an evangelical culture), I was always told that compartmentalization was wrong. I needed to be fully who I was at all times. It had to do with integrity, I think. Last Tuesday, the Fearless Fifteeners did a #15eradvice session on Twitter (if you have a book coming out, go look it up– lots of great stuff there!), and one thing that Victoria Aveyard, author of Red Queen, posted really resonated with me:
Compartmentalize. Edit letters are not personal. Bad day of writing is just that. This is a dream but it’s a job. Move forward. #15eradvice
— Victoria Aveyard (@VictoriaAveyard) December 15, 2015
Compartmentalization as a healthy coping mechanism. I wanna try. What do you think about this– can you compartmentalize in a healthy way?
If we were having hot cocoa, I’d tell you how much hope I have for 2016. I have a good set of realistic goals in place, along with a realistic plan for achieving them; I have new opportunities arising; I have finishing Yes Novel on the horizon and figuring out what I want to tackle next. What are you excited about in 2016, friend?
JACKIE LEA SOMMERS 
I wish we really COULD have got cocoa together! So much of this resonated with me.
I get S.A.D. during winters, and our house is very, very dark. We just bought a door for our covered porch, and once that’s up, it will be a sunroom where I’d like to spend time reading.
I did think that about West, but I took it as something that made her less perfect and more believable.
Exciting things on the horizon? Me, too! But the prospect of such a huge change terrifies me. Maybe we can share notes.
I was brainwashed into thinking the same thing about Compartmentalization, which is why I’m a work-from-home mom. You know what compartmentalizing does? Makes me unable to focus on what’s right in front of me. It’s impossible to be a worker and a mother 100% of the time, and nobody deserves a distracted mom. Compartmentalization and work/family boundaries are #1 on my 2016 list.
We SHOULD get hot cocoa sometime. I know you’re awful busy, but I’d love to have you over in the sunroom once it’s warm and bright!
I am literally having hot cocoa right now!
I have to say, concerning that highlighted bit (which was so fun to highlight!) that yes it could be considered that, but when you are young you are also figuring things out. That doesn’t justify anyone’s actions, but West was dealing with a lot of stuff. And when it got to the point where it had to be over, she made the right decision. I really like that she is struggling and trying to figure out what she wants. That is one of the things I love about the book!
I like focusing on different things to compartmentalize. I know that I’m awesome all the time, and I just channel my awesomeness into different things!
We are sending out two stories at the start of 2016, so that’s exciting for me! I am also going to be on a writing podcast with a friend, hopefully starting in August, and I also have some good news that I cannot share but it will be SO AWESOME when I can. For now I’m trying to enjoy the rest of 2015. My Dad is coming to visit (first family member to visit me in CA for the 7 years I’ve lived here!) and we are having Christmas with some good friends. I went over the budget to buy Danny a lot of stuff, because he’s been the best husband ever. Basically, I bought him A TON of board games that I know he will love.
Finally, I am LOVING working at Hicklebee’s as a wrapper! I also get to recommend books, which is SO SO SO FUN and rewarding! They are keeping me on after the holidays too, so I will work there a little bit. Exciting stuff!
Thanks again for your kind note. I Love it! I put it up on my encouragement wall (which I’ll be writing about in a future newsletter!)
KE