At the start of every year, I like to pick a word that will be the theme for that year. It’s better than a resolution, because there’s no guilt involved. Rather, I like to think of these as magic words that will act as a title for the year I’m in. (And I also like to think of every new year as a new novel of my life.)
1. Unfurled
This was the word I chose the year I started writing mysteries, I’m a person who loves trees, and I especially love watching the leaves unfurl at the start of every spring. They are both brilliant in color, and yet fragile. At that time, I felt a tremendous sense of possibility, but also felt delicate and self-protective.
2. Endurance
I chose this word because it is the title of one of my favorite stories, that of Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 attempt to reach the South Pole. After almost incredible hardships, he was not successful, but he managed to not lose one man along the way. His was a triumph of grace in the face of disaster. (You can imagine what I was expecting for that year.)
3. Hope
This was my word for last year. My agent was submitting my my new manuscript to publishers. I thought it was good, but you never know. But I wanted to be in a positive frame of mind, and as it turned out, my hopes came true.
For this year?
I’m in a quandary. I sort of like the word consolidation, because I feel like I’m finally in a position to pull together all the things I’ve learned over the years. But consolidation doesn’t feel exciting, and I am excited. I thought of wisdom, but that seems pretentious. I considered fortunate, because I certainly feel that way. But finally, I decided to go with merry, which is the title of my new book and is the emotion I’d like to embrace for this year.
How about you? What magic words will be the title of your story this year?
Susan Breen is the award-winning author of The Fiction Class, the Maggie Dove mystery series and many short stories. Her new novel, MERRY, will be published in September 2025.
I love your choice of “merry” as a word of the year, and congratulations on your upcoming novel! “Sparkle” is the theme I’m eying for 2025. No, I won’t be wearing sequins. But after a difficult year, I’m hoping to embrace all that’s “merry and bright” in my corner of the world.
I love sparkle! May this be your sparkliest year ever, Mally!
Love the idea of a theme word for the year. Your hopes have come true, and I can’t wait to read that wonderful book. I did one of those fun, online quizzes a couple of days ago. I answered questions about my hopes, fears, needs in the coming year and got a WORD for the year. My was “surrender.” Hmm.
Interesting. You do not strike me as a surrender person. Maybe it means relax?
I don’t think you have it in you. ❤️
Oh, this is fun. I also approve of “merry”. I think mine needs to be a double “cheerful optimism”. It’s literally the opposite of who I am, so I think I need to aim for something new :-). I think if my word was “surrender”, you wouldn’t ever see or hear from me ever again!
Thank you, Merry Emilya. ☺️
This is an interesting exercise, Susan. After much pondering, think “upbeat” is my word. I’m aiming for lighter, happier, and optimistic in the face of the negativity in the world today.
That sounds like a good path, Catherine. I guess better than despondent. ☺️
I love this idea, Susan. And Merry suits you in so many ways.
For my word, I think where I’m at that Perseverance is likely the best~
Happy New Year to all~
Thank you, Marni! Perseverance is essential!
I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but I’m all in on the idea of choosing a word or words.
I’m going with persistence, as in, Nevertheless, she persisted.
That is my mantra! You are the embodiment of persistence, Lori.
Great words, Susan!
Mine are going to be “flexibility” and “self-compassion.” I should add “patience” but why push it, especially with something that’s nearly impossible for me? Happy New Year.
Those sound like emotionally healthy choices, Dawn!