January is known as the sloggiest month because, in North America, its thirty-one days occur in the coldest and darkest part of the year. Because it follows the holidays, people are often short of cash. Plus, the short dark days can cause some folks to suffer from seasonal affective disorder. In my part of the world, the month of January lived up to its reputation for being dreary and frigid. While we enjoyed several afternoons that reached into the 50s and 60s, we had a couple of weeks with nights where the temperature dropped to or below zero.
Nevertheless, it was a suitable month for writing and attending writing events. I attended a friend’s book launch party, enjoyed multiple poetry events, and presented a workshop on Goal Setting for Writers for our local library. I also searched online to identify poetry contests that I might enter this year. In January, I entered one contest but did not place in the top five. However, I enjoyed the experience of writing an ekphrastic poem based on a painting.
In January, I focused on being practical and set my own writing goals for this year. I also started working on the humdrum of yearly life—my income taxes, and began a new exercise routine under the guidance of my physical therapist.
My Writing Goals for 2026
- Continue to develop my poetry and connections with other poets: This month, I entered several poetry contests, attended a poetry presentation on writing sonnets, and another on writing epistolary poetry.
Bardic Trails: I forgot to log on to the February presentation.
Boulder Writers Alliance: Michele Battiste presented for the BWA Poetry Circle and discussed The Elsewhere Oracle, her oracle deck and guidebook.
Cannon Mine Poets Group: I missed the January meeting.
Columbine Poets: I presented a workshop on Anne Bradstreet, the first American poet, for the Columbine Poets. And I submitted poems for critique and participated in two critique sessions with the group. The participants are all excellent writers and informed poetry critics.
- Continue to make progress on my draft novels: Finish my first novel and query agents (IW): I decided not to rejoin the WWW critique group.
Finish my second novel (G): No progress
Continue to work on my third novel (PW): No progress - Document my writing progress through my blog and post it on the seventh day of each month, one blog per month in 2025:
Today is February 7, 2026. I am posting my second blog for the year 2026. I am relieved that February is in swing—happily, spring is on its way. I enjoy observing Imbolc, an Irish tradition that marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Imbolc celebrates the return of spring and the lengthening of daylight. I celebrated Imbolc this month with a display of red, white, and green candles, crafting a St. Brigid’s cross, and doing some spring cleaning.
4. Writing Specific Forms
This year, I will focus on a specific poetic form each month and practice learning to write each of the forms. In January, I experimented with writing a sonnet, which was challenging. Here is my first attempt:
A Sonnet for An Artist
My dear husband, you are still here with me.
I feel your touch; I hear your voice each day.
I smell the clean scent of your aftershave.
I taste the warm sweetness of your full lips.
Your studio is resplendent with art
Colorful paintings decorate its walls
Windows look out on our lovely garden
Sun streams through the windowpane on the east wall
Your barren easel sits against the wall
Your workspace and cutting board are forsaken
Your stool stands alone, unused, and forlorn
The pendulum of your Shaker clock is stilled
But inspiring paintings impress the eye
Singing silently of days filled with love
During February, I will work on haiku, a Japanese form that often addresses nature and consists of three lines of 5-7-5 syllables.
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