The new year is traditionally a time to try something different, change old habits or get organised. So many times, I’ve made resolutions on New Year’s Eve and forgotten them a week later.

Age is a wise teacher. This year I will make one sound resolution. I will meticulously assess the challenge envisaged having learned to be circumspect, prudent and wary of unguarded and reckless promises.

I will become a wordsmith.

Changes to my writing must not be as fleeting as a summer day but soar like mountains; my tenacity only worn away by seasons of foul weather. (Well, maybe the odd earthquake too.)

Words are like rainbows; they need to contain pure colours and fascinating hues as the colours blend at the edges. Like rainbows they must conform to a set of rules in terms of the colour spectrum, but they can soar, be broken and finish or start in peculiar places. Words, like rainbows can be fleeting, lovely to behold but quickly forgotten as clouds cover the sun. But then some words achieve immortality and stand up to centuries of use and misuse.

“To be or not to be, that is the question.” ~ William Shakespeare, Hamlet, 1601.

What words will you craft in 2026?

I hope you find your own challenge for the forthcoming year. Enjoy writing, whatever it may be. Enjoy reading and have fun.

Cheers, Elsie King ©2026

Feature Photo: Rainbow by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA