3 Scoops of Life vol 1

3 Scoops of Life vol 1. Jillkemerer.com, Jill Kemerer, Blog

Welcome to my new monthly series! I’m calling it 3 Scoops of Life. I love ice cream, and 3 scoops seems like a dream cone to me. No, we’re not eating ice cream (although we can!). I’m simply highlighting three good things in my life each month.

  • One is writing/work related.
  • One is personal.
  • One is an encouragement.

Scoop 1 (Work):

I took an entire afternoon last week to organize my business life for 2023. I DID NOT WANT TO DO THIS. Setting aside the time for this is a challenge for me. I wanted to focus on the real work: a writing project. I know from experience, though, if I don’t have my systems in place, I waste time, I get frazzled and important things slip through the cracks. Then I get mad at myself and feel like a big dummy, and I end up slapping together the systems anyhow.

Not this year, my friends.

Here’s what I did.

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Year in Review 2022

Year in Review 2022, Jill Kemerer, jillkemerer.com

It’s that time again…a fresh start. A season to hunker down and begin to tackle all those lovely goals we have in mind for 2023. But first, I like to review the previous year. It helps me see what I did right and what I want to do differently.

Year in Review Business Numbers

Books released: Four (4)

New words written: 232,000

Words reworked from older book: 83,000

Total Words: 315,000

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December 2022 Goals

December 2022 Goals. Jill Kemerer blog

My writer productivity skyrockets when I set monthly goals. At the beginning of each week I break them down into daily tasks that will work within my current schedule. Do you know how great it is to finish projects? Of course you do! For me, setting monthly goals makes it all possible.

Every month I share how I did the previous month as well as my new goals. Let’s get to it!

How did I do? Jill’s November 2022 Goals

  • Writing
  • Revise/submit first book in new Love Inspired series. CHECK!
  • Write long synopsis for book 2 in Love Inspired series. CHECK!
  • Health
  • Exercise 5 days/week. NO CHECK. I averaged 4 days/week, and I’m happy with that!
  • Try to maintain current weight through holidays! NO CHECK. So far, I’ve gained a few pounds. *sigh*
  • Other
  • Read 15 minutes of fiction every weekday. CHECK! I’m enjoying Christmas romance novels right now (shocker, I’m sure!)
  • Crochet! CHECK! I like adding a few rows at night. It’s relaxing.

Well, November didn’t go quite as planned, but I’m happy with my progress. The writing goals were met. The health goals need work. And the personal goals, though minor, made me happy. I’ll call that a win!

Jill’s December 2022 Goals

  • Writing
  • Write/revise/submit proposal for contracted book.
  • Redline a trade-length book.
  • Plan the next six months of writing.
  • Health
  • Exercise 4 days/week.
  • Eat 1 fresh vegetable and 2 fruits every weekday.
  • Try to maintain current weight through holidays!
  • Other
  • Read 15 minutes of fiction every weekday.
  • Make Christmas cookies!
  • Enjoy the Christmas season!

I love December. I love that it’s the final month of the year, which motivates me to work hard to finish my writing projects. I love decorating my house and enjoying the decorations. I love baking and watching Hallmark movies and anticipating all the fun times with family at the end of the month. Most of all, I love the reason we celebrate Christmas–I am grateful for my Savior.

What are your goals this month? How did you do last month? What do you love about December?

If you’re looking for a Christmas romance with all the feels, try my latest book, The Mistletoe Favor (linked). It makes a great gift, too!

November 2022 Goals

November 2022 Goals, Jill Kemerer blog

My writer productivity skyrockets when I set monthly goals. At the beginning of each week I break them down into daily tasks that will work within my current schedule. Do you know how great it is to finish projects? Of course you do! For me, setting monthly goals makes it all possible.

Every month I share how I did the previous month as well as my new goals. Let’s get to it!

How did I do? Jill’s October 2022 Goals

  • Writing
  • Write the first draft of new Love Inspired book. CHECK!
  • Spend 30 minutes/day four days/week polishing trade-length book. NO CHECK.
  • Health
  • Exercise 5 days/week. MOSTLY CHECK
  • Two raw veggies/weekday. NO CHECK
  • Counting calories using MyFitnessPal and sticking to reduced total calories on weekdays. NO CHECK
  • Other
  • Read 15 minutes of fiction every weekday. CHECK
  • Make (and can) apple butter. CHECK
  • Watch a fall-themed movie. CHECK

I scheduled several routine medical appointments in October, and it not only made my health goals unrealistic, it ate into my writing time as well. I’m happy that I was able to write the first draft of my Love Inspired book, and I’m happy that I met my personal goals, too! Hey, it’s something. :)

Jill’s November 2022 Goals

  • Writing
  • Revise/submit first book in new Love Inspired series.
  • Write long synopsis for book 2 in Love Inspired series.
  • Health
  • Exercise 5 days/week.
  • Try to maintain current weight through holidays!
  • Other
  • Read 15 minutes of fiction every weekday
  • Crochet!

I’m pushing myself with my writing goals. I have a deadline in November and another deadline in December and I will meet them. Period. As for the health and personal goals? They will be modest until the end of the year. I’m basically in “hold-the-fort” mode. And I’m fine with it! Come January, I’ll be ready to buckle down again.

What are your goals this month? How did you do last month? Do you have upcoming events you need to work around?

My new book, The Mistletoe Favor, is in stores now! Click HERE for purchase links and all the details!

The Mistletoe Favor Releases Today

The Mistletoe Favor Release Day! By Jill Kemerer

There are certain days in an author’s life that are extra special, and release days are at the top! Today is the official release day of The Mistletoe Favor!

The Mistletoe Favor Release Day

The Mistletoe Favor is my 20th book with Love Inspired!! Aaahhh!

It’s the third book in my Wyoming Ranchers series (Guarding His Secret is technically part of the series, too, but it’s listed as a K-9 Companions book). The Mistletoe Favor follows Mac Tolbert and Bridget Renna as they navigate the holidays during a difficult time in both of their lives.

Mac has lived in Sunrise Bend, Wyoming, since he was a freshman in high school. His wealthy, overbearing father died a few months earlier along with Mac’s stepmother, and Mac is now the legal guardian of Kaylee, his fifteen-year-old stepsister. He loves Kaylee but feels like he’s in over his head. He’s also dealing with survivor guilt regarding the massive inheritance he’s received.

Bridget recently moved from New York City to Sunrise Bend to be near her best friend, Sawyer Roth. She’s listened to his tales of small-town life for years, and since he moved back the previous year, she’s decided to open a coffee shop in town. She’s a city girl with a very painful past and struggles not only with the challenges of small-town living–she doesn’t know how to drive, and everyone knows everything about everyone!–but also with the fact her new landlord asks her to hire his withdrawn sister. The landlord also happens to be ridiculously handsome…and nice. She’s drawn to Mac from the get-go.

I don’t want to give anything away, but needless to say, this is a heartwarming Christmas book full of hope and redemption. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

Here’s the cover and back cover copy:

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October 2022 Goals

October Goals 2022 Jill Kemerer

My writer productivity skyrockets when I set monthly goals. At the beginning of each week I break them down into daily tasks that will work within my current schedule. Do you know how great it is to finish projects? Of course you do! For me, setting monthly goals makes it all possible.

Every month I share how I did the previous month as well as my new goals. Let’s get to it!

How Did I Do? Jill’s September 2022 Goals

  • Writing
  • Revise and polish the trade-length book. No CHECK
  • Health
  • Exercise 5 days/week. CHECK!
  • Two raw veggies/weekday. MOSTLY CHECK
  • Counting calories using MyFitnessPal and sticking to reduced total calories on weekdays. MOSTLY CHECK
  • Other
  • Read 15 minutes of fiction every weekday. NO CHECK
  • Enjoy college football with all the fun food! DOUBLE CHECK!
  • Make (and can) apple butter. NO CHECK
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The Mistletoe Favor Giveaway

The Mistletoe Favor Giveaway

Over the weekend, I got out my cozy sweaters and fall decorations. I love autumn!

Before we know it, the holidays will be here. I have a November release (the book will be in stores October 25, 2022!), and I’m celebrating by hosting a Christmas-themed giveaway!

One winner will receive a true large print copy of THE MISTLETOE FAVOR, three bonus books, a Christmas tea towel, a Christmas ornament, a Christmas decoration and a Christmas-scented air freshener!

Before we get to the entry form, here’s a little about the book.

The Mistletoe Favor. Wyoming Ranchers 4. Jill Kemerer. Love Inspired November 2022

It will take one special cowboy

To make this season bright.

After gaining guardianship of his half sister, wealthy rancher Mac Tolbert hopes a part-time job during the holidays will help the grieving teenager. New coffee shop owner Bridget Renna has been on her own since sixteen and is immediately drawn to the shy orphan—and her handsome brother. But as Bridget grows closer to the siblings, will her troubled past ruin their chance at a Christmas together?

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Getting Back Into Longer Working Hours

Longer Working Hours. Jill Kemerer. Blog

As you might have noticed, I didn’t blog much this summer. I never do. I like to loosen up my schedule during the summer to read on my deck, take long walks and just enjoy life!

Now that September is here, I’m transitioning to longer working hours.

Last week I added my late-afternoon work block (I call it Block 3) back into my schedule. I write, plot or revise from late morning to late afternoon. Then I switch gears. I spend another hour or two working on marketing, business planning, continuous education, etc… You can learn more about my process in “Get More Done with a Plan.”

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September 2022 Goals

September 2022 Goals. Jill Kemerer Blog

My writer productivity skyrockets when I set monthly goals. At the beginning of each week I break them down into daily tasks that will work within my current schedule. Do you know how great it is to finish projects? Of course you do! For me, setting monthly goals makes it all possible.

Every month I share how I did the previous month as well as my new goals. Let’s get to it!

How Did I Do? Jill’s August 2022 Goals

  • Writing
  • Revise a trade-length book. NOPE. NOT EVEN CLOSE.
  • Start revising non-fiction project. NO CHECK. DIDN’T OPEN THAT ONE!
  • Health
  • Exercise 5 days/week. CHECK!
  • Two raw veggies/weekday. MOSTLY CHECK
  • Counting calories using MyFitnessPal and sticking to reduced total calories on weekdays. CHECK!
  • Other
  • Read 15 minutes of fiction every weekday. CHECK!
  • Go to the farmer’s market. CHECK!
  • Plan an adventure day–to the zoo or a fun local place! NO CHECK.

August was banana-pants (a phrase I recently heard when out and about with a good author friend). It was rough, rough, rough. From a dear cousin’s death to an entire week’s worth of computer problems and so many bizarre other things in between–I can only say I’m glad the month is over. It was a doozy, for sure.

On the work front, I started revising the trade-length book. I didn’t even open the nonfiction project. It was the least productive month I’ve had in a long, long time.

But I stuck with my health goals, managed to read a few more novels and got to the farmer’s market once. A win!

Jill’s September 2022 Goals

  • Writing
  • Revise and polish the trade-length book.
  • Health
  • Exercise 5 days/week.
  • Two raw veggies/weekday.
  • Counting calories using MyFitnessPal and sticking to reduced total calories on weekdays.
  • Other
  • Read 15 minutes of fiction every weekday.
  • Enjoy college football with all the fun food!
  • Make (and can) apple butter

I only have one writing goal this month because I NEED TO FINISH THE BOOK. I need it done and submitted so I don’t have to think about it anymore. While I’m normally really good at working on multiple projects, I’m at a point where I know I’ll have more pressing projects to work on soon, so this bad boy needs to be finished.

My health plan is working. I’ve lost nine pounds since mid-May and I have about five more to go. The scale goes up sometimes and down others. As long as I commit to the weekdays, my weight continues to drop overall.

September is always fun since football is back! Yes, I love watching college games on Saturdays. We try to have bonfires when the weather cooperates, too. The weather grows cooler as the month progresses, and I’ll be dragging out my fall decorations before you know it. What do you love about September?

How did you do last month? What are your September 2022 goals?

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