One of my most favorite writers picks a word at the beginning of each year to help her with her life. It can help her through her personal and public life, she says, so I decided I needed a personal word for this year too. After all, if an author that sells millions of books every year does this, how bad would it be for me? So I started listening and looking for that perfect word.

The first one that caught my attention as a special word was CENTERED. You hear this word everywhere. It usually means goal-oriented or well balanced. That would be a great word for the year. I’m already pretty much goal-oriented with my writing. Just got a new book published (“Necessary Words for Writers”), a book for those trying to understand the jargon of the publishing world. And I’ve signed myself up for a couple of book readings and signings and presentations. So that’s good. And I’m busy writing my newest mystery, “Lisa.” However, the well-balanced part might come under scrutiny. I think I’ll keep looking for a word that better suits me.

Then the word SACRIFICE came into my brain. Just like in baseball, I could do something to make it easier of another to score, but what? In the workshops I lead, we talk about rules of writing and descriptive details and sentence structure and story content and using good beginnings. What could I sacrifice (except my time) to help those that have further questions and want my advice and attention outside the classroom? Oh, I get it. Give more of my time. This might be a good word for me.

And then another word popped up: LIMITS. I should establish parameters and keep within bounds. But what could I keep within bounds? My life isn’t that exciting that out-of-bounds is relevant, unless it could mean don’t let anyone else put limits on my writing and teaching. Hmmm. Seems like this word would, or could, do the job.

But alas, another viable word presented itself: FORWARD. A good term that for me could mean getting things done. Go forward toward the goal of finishing this novel I have going. Go forward toward the goal of those household chores I’ve put off until spring. Go forward toward the goal of cleaning the basement.

One of the problems with being a writer is that when you go searching for ONE word, several others try to crowd in. So many words, so little time to use them all.

So now I’ve got four words to consider. But maybe I’ll just stay CENTERED, SACRIFICE and give more of my time, and I won’t let anyone put LIMITS on me (not even myself), and I’ll stay looking FORWARD.

OK, world … here I come with four words for this year. Stand by for future reports.

Upcoming events
— Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Drop off used books at the Greater Hansville Community Center.

— Feb. 9, 2 p.m.: Third annual Pinewood Derby, at the Greater Hansville Community Center at Buck Lake Park. The event is open to the public and we encourage participants of all ages by offering six different race divisions based on age. We also have a special “Bling Class” for those racers who want to decorate everything — just like Barbie would.

— Feb. 23, 5:30-9:30 p.m.: Bingo night at the Greater Hansville Community Center.

For more information about local events, go to Hansville.org.

— Contact Donna Lee Anderson at welltoldtales@aol.com