C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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Sudden Secrets Blog Tour and January Goals for 2015

January 5, 2015 By C. Lee McKenzie 54 Comments

SPOTLIGHT/AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH C. LEE MCKENZIE
All of my covers seem to have knees involved. What am I to learn from this?

No Resolutions. Just Some Goals

Take time out to consider the world around you.

I’m not big on RESOLUTIONS, but I do like to have a few GOALS. So here are mine for 2015: 

  • Practice patience. 
  • Try for kindness when harshness comes to mind first. 
  • Take more time to “see” and “hear” what’s around me. 
  • Accept that I’ll have set backs. 
  • Forget the failed attempts and focus on the new endeavors.
  • Listen to more music and sing along.
  • Grow my garden. 
  • Love myself and others abundantly. 
  • Finish that novel that’s moldering in the computer.
So I’m Slip-Sliding through January and thinking about the season we’ve just experienced–the Season of Giving. How wonderful it would be if this was a season that never ended.
It’s interesting that just as I had that thought, I clicked on a news article and found some kids who are keeping the spirit of December alive all year long. Here are two.
Give a Hand All Year Long
Trajan Tushkan is a high school sophomore who mentors elementary school kids at the Mission Hope for Kids in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
Connor Morgan volunteers at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. He does things like help vets get to their appointments. What’s wonderful about his story is that he plans to be a doctor and he’s a military history buff. What a kid. He’s combined his interests, and he serves his community.  
If you’d like to know about their stories, HERE’s the link to the article.
******

My Quote for the Day

Wherever a man turns he can find someone who needs him. 
Albert Schweitzer 
******
What do you think about my “knee” covers? Any goals for 2015? Or do you like to make resolutions? Do you volunteer anywhere or are you thinking of it? 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Blog Tour, Goals, Sudden Secrets

Comments

  1. J Lenni Dorner says

    January 11, 2015 at 12:16 am

    There are a hundred covers with a woman in a red dress. So I say rock your knees covers!

    Reply
  2. Medeia Sharif says

    January 10, 2015 at 11:11 am

    Wonderful goals and cute pic.

    I look forward to reading my copy of Sudden Secrets.

    Reply
  3. DMS says

    January 9, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    What beautiful goals. It we all stop and look and listen more, treat other more kindly and are more forgiving of ourselves the world would certainly be a better place. I like that you are making goals that will be positive for you and those around you. πŸ™‚ Best of luck with these lovely goals.
    ~Jess

    Reply
  4. TBM says

    January 7, 2015 at 12:30 pm

    Giving year round. I hope this concept catches on! Happy New Year. I hope to share your book on my blog next Monday. Best of luck!

    Reply
  5. Suzanne Sapsed says

    January 7, 2015 at 11:46 am

    Love myself – gardening – singing – all lovely goals πŸ™‚ But the one that resonates with me is the seeing and hearing. I teach childcare to future teachers, and I emphasis the importance of listening to everything, looking beyond what you think you see and hear πŸ™‚ xx

    Reply
  6. T. Drecker says

    January 7, 2015 at 2:18 am

    That's a lovely list of goals. I don't make resolutions, since life seems to run off on it's out detours anyway. I've been hoping to volunteer somewhere this year, but haven't found a fitting group yet. Maybe it's time to do a little more scouting. . .

    Reply
  7. Joylene Nowell Butler says

    January 7, 2015 at 1:59 am

    Her legs are crossed at the ankle, which indicates high anxiety. Not sure if his legs are crossed at the ankles or not. Which may mean he's more angry than anxious. Either way the covers imply a conflict of some kind. If you continued to use this pose for every book, your books would certainly be recognizable at a distance.

    Reply
  8. Carol Kilgore says

    January 7, 2015 at 12:13 am

    I think you're KNEE deep in this writing thing πŸ™‚
    Also, I so love your goals that I printed them and am pasting them next to the goals I set for myself. I thieved them for a good cause β™₯

    Reply
  9. Shooting Stars Mag says

    January 6, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    I like the idea of having goals- I don't really have set resolutions either, but there are things that I want to focus on and do more of in the new year like being more creative.

    Reply
  10. Gwen Gardner says

    January 6, 2015 at 5:36 pm

    Those are wonderful goals! (I don't do resolutions, either.) It's nice to see the spirit of human kindness still alive and well. It's something we need to be reminded of with all that's going on in the world. It's there, just gotta look for it! Happy New Year, Lee!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      January 6, 2015 at 5:47 pm

      Thanks, Gwen. Here's to keeping those qualities alive all year.

      Reply
  11. Sherry Ellis says

    January 6, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    I'm like you – I set goals, not resolutions. I would like to revise two manuscripts, and write two new ones.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      January 6, 2015 at 5:47 pm

      Good luck with those revisions and those new stories.

      Reply
  12. Chris Fries says

    January 6, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Well, let's see… "Knee" rhymes with "Lee," and "C," and "MacKenzie" — so that's all three, I see. So maybe it's a phonetic thing?

    Wonderful goals — I hope you're pleasantly surprised in 2015 by how well everything has gone in achieving and sustaining them!

    And great stories about the kids. Those are so awesome to hear about!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      January 6, 2015 at 5:48 pm

      Love it when there's good news to read.

      Reply
  13. Brandi Kosiner says

    January 6, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    Great goal, and cute pics to go with them

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      January 6, 2015 at 5:48 pm

      Hi Brandi,

      Hope 2015 is good to you.

      Reply
  14. Bish Denham says

    January 6, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    Knees are under apprciated so I think it's a wonderful thing that you've given the "face time." I think I'm going to steal your goals!

    Reply
  15. Yvonne Ventresca says

    January 6, 2015 at 12:23 pm

    Your covers are the bees knees! Ha — isn't that some type of expression?

    Happy New Year.

    Reply
  16. Kern Windwraith says

    January 6, 2015 at 5:36 am

    Knees are the bomb and don't get anywhere near the recognition they deserve. Good for you for rectifying that!

    I love your goals. The world needs more patience, kindness and love, and frankly, I could stand to make those my goals too. Maybe my klepto fingers will borrow them and plunk them down on my own list. πŸ™‚

    Happy New Year, Lee. Good luck with de-mouldering that novel and with the rest of your goals!

    Reply
    • Empty Nest Insider says

      January 6, 2015 at 7:37 am

      What's not to like about young, healthy knees? Another great cover, Lee! Is that cute little girl you? We can really learn a lot from those extremely giving young volunteers. Best of luck with your blog tour, Lee!

      Julie

      Reply
  17. Tammy Theriault says

    January 6, 2015 at 3:36 am

    How crazy inspiring kids are!!! Also I loved the goals. Simply by closing our eyes we can hear more of the world around us. Love it!! ((Hugs))

    Reply
  18. Birgit says

    January 6, 2015 at 2:17 am

    Great goals. Mine are to create more cards and to organize!! I feel very unorganized!! As for the knees? Not sure but they are an amazing joint. We need them to walk, they have many bones, We can kneel on them and place our heads down on top of them. I can make little Chinese faces out of my knees (not trying to be politically incorrect here) but my knees look like little buddhas:)

    Reply
  19. Jemi Fraser says

    January 6, 2015 at 1:15 am

    Hm,… a knee fetish??? πŸ˜›
    Love the cover.
    I'm not a resolution maker either – but I do like to have some goals in mind too – good luck with all of yours!

    Reply
  20. Patricia Lynne says

    January 6, 2015 at 12:52 am

    I admit, I did notice that about your covers. They're still pretty covers though. =D
    Good luck with your goals for the year.

    Reply
  21. Lexa Cain says

    January 6, 2015 at 12:51 am

    The Thunderclap popped up on my FB page today – yay!! That was a great idea, especially since I'm under the weather and am too sick to remember anything. Congrats on your new book and your resolutions! My resolution this year is simple – I'm going to rule the world. But don't tell anyone. I want it to be a surprise.

    Reply
  22. Stephen Tremp says

    January 5, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    We're going to volunteer one or two Sundays a week to help feed the homeless. We have some friends who spearhead this every Sunday and thought this will be a great family project to do together.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      January 6, 2015 at 12:49 am

      Great idea. Doing something like this together as a family is so rewarding.

      Reply
  23. Karen Lange says

    January 5, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    Sounds like you have some wonderful goals for 2015. I am doing the same thing. One thing that tops the list is more self discipline when it comes to writing. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  24. J.L. Campbell says

    January 5, 2015 at 8:25 pm

    Your resolutions sounds like the stuff we should all be striving to emulate. I simply want to be a better me this year.

    Your cover models capture all the angst of the teenage years.

    Reply
  25. Natalie Aguirre says

    January 5, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    Love your goals and some of them are mine too. I definitely want to help those in need in my community more this year. And slow down and be more patient and kind.

    Reply
  26. M.J. Fifield says

    January 5, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    That's funny about the knee covers. They work, though, because they're great covers. Maybe that's just your thing?

    I tend to set more goals than resolutions every January, too.

    Reply
  27. Pat Hatt says

    January 5, 2015 at 6:55 pm

    Some great kids indeed. And those goals should be attained hopefully. Patience can go a long way. Hmm maybe you have a thing for knees? lol

    Reply
  28. Cathrina Constantine says

    January 5, 2015 at 6:28 pm

    In my heart, I think of volunteering all the time. I'm very involved with my church, which is all volunteer work, but I feel like I need to do more. My family is large and needy and now I'm watching my first grandchild, so volunteering at a local hospital or nursing home or outreach program will again have to wait. Right now my church and family are my calling. I love both of your covers, C.Lee, knees and all!!!

    Reply
  29. Hilary Melton-Butcher says

    January 5, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    Hi Lee – I'm not good at resolutions … but I need to get on and goals would be good to start with. Angela expressed how right your Knees are for your books … and the why .. I'd have never thought about it .. if she hadn't pointed it out …

    A goal is to read, let alone more … read books a week – just read .. must do …

    "Need Less Give More" .. seems a good idea … enjoy your journey along the months ahead .. cheers Hilary

    Reply
  30. Roland D. Yeomans says

    January 5, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    We're of a like mind with goals rather than resolutions. With a goal, even one step forward is progress. I think if you have a trend with covers, stick with it. It is a brand! πŸ™‚

    Kindness is an under-rated and under-used quality these days mostly.

    Best of success with SUDDEN SECRETS! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  31. Chrys Fey says

    January 5, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    Your goals are beautiful, C. Lee! And I love your knee covers. πŸ˜‰ They hold a lot of emotion. I don't really make resolutions either but goals like you do. Most of my goals for this year are about having fun and doing things I've been wanting to do. Even simple things.

    Good luck with your blog tour and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    Reply
  32. BUDDY says

    January 5, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    I love your goals for 2015. I think you can probably use them again every year. And I like human knees, too. I wish dog knees (yes, we have them!) were situated better, so we could sit in chairs. Which brings to mind something I've been wondering: If your knees bent the other way, what would a chair look like?

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      January 6, 2015 at 12:48 am

      Some interesting questions to speculate on, Buddy! What fun today to have your family out there supporting Sudden Secrets. What's your favorite chewy toy?

      Reply
    • BUDDY says

      January 7, 2015 at 6:37 pm

      I like things you can pull the stuffing out of and strew it all over the place. But M says in the future I need to stick with Kong Teddy Bears, because they're already unstuffed. What a buzz-kill. (sigh)

      We had a blast with your book launch. I hope it's a best-seller!

      Reply
  33. Gina Stoneheart says

    January 5, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    I love your knee covers. They bring an emotional weight to your books which is something to look forward to when reading.
    I, too, set goals rather than resolutions. I feel like resolutions are daily choices we make to have better lifestyles… like health, love, money. Or more like changes we have no other choice to make in order to lead a more fulfilling life.
    Goals seem more attainable especially when we aren't making promises to ourselves we can't keep.
    Good luck with your tour! I will be looking forward to having you on my blog later this month.

    Reply
  34. Julie Dao says

    January 5, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    More of us should make resolutions like yours! Instead of trying to shed pounds or get a book deal, just focusing on love, patience, and kindness – and enjoying the little things – would be a great way to kick off 2015. I wish you the best with your wonderful goals!

    Reply
  35. SittieCates says

    January 5, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    I'm not sure if my comment went through. So I'm posting another one.

    A lovely new year to you!, cleemckenzie Good goals. After you grow your garden and fill it with lovely and sweet-smelling flowers and plants, don't forget to share a photo of it so we could all we how beautiful it is.

    I'm sure your knee covers capture the tale you've written. Don't worry about it. You could actually use it as your brand. πŸ™‚

    Love your quote for the day! Keeping it in mind.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      January 6, 2015 at 12:46 am

      I'll be sure to post some pictures and i guess I'll find out about that branding over time. Take care and thanks for taking the time to comment.

      Reply
  36. Southpaw HR Sinclair says

    January 5, 2015 at 3:26 pm

    My first goal is to set goals! I love your goals.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      January 6, 2015 at 12:45 am

      I'll love them, too if I reach them. I'll report back. Thanks for the visit and happy new year.

      Reply
  37. Christine Rains says

    January 5, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    Happy new year! Those are excellent goals. I also like the idea of giving all year round. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  38. Angela Brown says

    January 5, 2015 at 2:29 pm

    So far, the covers have worked two ways: they provide a brand for you as an author and they show a certain "concealment" factor. I like them.

    The idea of continuing the season of giving all year round almost seems like it should be a given. What better way to make our world a better place than by being better people to each other?

    You have some very good goals and I think I may have to borrow a few πŸ™‚

    Reply
  39. Beverly Stowe McClure says

    January 5, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    The cover does give us a hint about the characters. It's great. Congratulations. Wonderful goals. Having patience isn't always easy. Love the stories about the young people. It's nice to hear about the good they're doing. Good luck with your tour.

    Reply
  40. Julie Flanders says

    January 5, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    Always love your covers. πŸ™‚
    Those are some excellent goals. I think I will just steal your list!

    Reply
  41. DEZMOND says

    January 5, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    we do prefer hairy knees to these covered ones :PPP

    Reply
  42. Greg Pattridge says

    January 5, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    My goal is to keep growing as a writer and read 75 books this year. So far so good are the early results.Thanks for the inspiring post.

    Reply
  43. L. Diane Wolfe says

    January 5, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    Keep the spirit of giving all throughout the year.

    I've been listening to more music. And singing. Not when anyone is listening though.

    Reply
  44. Alex J. Cavanaugh says

    January 5, 2015 at 1:02 pm

    Those are some great kids.
    Already seen you several places this morning.
    And I volunteer for a lot of community projects through my church.

    Reply

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