Wandering Aimlessly into 2025

 

Typically, I'd have already written and shared a post where I look back on 2024 and shared what I'd accomplished through the year. I didn't do that for 2024. Why? Because 2024 sucked big time! I'd lost two jobs that I loved, haven't been able to find a new job that works for me, I've been scammed by "jobs", and I've dealt with a host of health issues within my family. I gained back some of the weight I'd lost. My cat died. All of this has led me into a depression that I'm still struggling to get out of. 

I've lost the joy in everything--writing, editing, reading, watching TV, working out, coloring--you name it, and it's become a chore for me. I truly feel like I'm aimlessly wandering into 2025, so I've decided to fully embrace this and use it to my advantage...

Before I get into all of my non-plans for 2025, I do need to reflect a bit on 2024, because it wasn't all terrible. So, here are my highs and lows of 2024...

HIGH: I went on a cruise with my best friend, daughter, and daughter's boyfriend who proposed to her! I was so happy to witness this and be a part of such a special moment. 

LOW: I was let go from a writing job that I loved. It was very unexpected, and the loss of income hit me hard. 

HIGH: My best friends bought a new house and are settling in, which means they will not be leaving Michigan! 

LOW: The publisher I'd been working with for over a decade closed its doors, leaving me without my editing job. Again, the loss of income was difficult, but more than that, I no longer had any job. What on earth was I supposed to do with myself all day now?

HIGH: Without any job, I now have all the time in the world to devote to writing!

LOW: Without any job, I have no money to pay for all the expenses that go along with being an Indie author. 

HIGH: I've redeveloped a working relationship with a serial book app and am once again selling licensing rights to my books!

LOW: My cat, Luna, died.

HIGH: We welcomed little Miss Daisy Ray into our home and lives. She's been such a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster year. 

HIGH: I went on vacation with my girls to Georgia, which despite all the problems we encountered, it was so much fun! I loved the aquarium and the Vampire Diaries Tour. 

HIGH: I read a lot more this year than many years before, and I've discovered a new-to-me genre that I'm obsessed with: Romantasy! My complete list is below.

HIGH: I finally managed to get my husband a French bulldog, which is a breed he's wanted for so long! This is Biskit, and he's 9 weeks old. He's got the attitude of a big dog in the body that right now is literally smaller than our cats. lol. 

So, like I said, 2024 wasn't all terrible, but you'll notice that I don't have many highs that involve writing or publishing. That's because I did very little of that this past year. I used to keep track of all my daily word counts, hours I spent writing, etc. I stopped doing that mid-year, and it was one of the best things I could've done for myself. And this leads into my non-plans for 2025...

In 2025, I have only one goal: 

FIND JOY !

This is how I plan to do that:

1. I'm not going to set a bunch of goals because I know they will only stress me out. 

2. I'm not going to worry about tracking my every moment and word written because that just makes me feel bad when I have days where I can't or don't want to do anything. 

3. I'm not going to berate myself for not writing or for choosing to spend the day doing self-care. Instead, I will live in the moment. 

4. I'm not going to force my muse. I know what personally sells for me in terms of what I write and publish. What sells doesn't necessarily align with what I want to write on any given day. So, instead of making myself write what sells, I'm going to let my muse lead me. 

5. I'm not going to be a prisoner to technology. I will spend less time on social media and more time doing the things I enjoy. 

As promised, here's my complete reading list for 2024:

• The Game by Linsey Miller
• Little Monsters by Kara Thomas
• Pestilence (The Four Horsemen, #1) by Laura Thalassa
• War (The Four Horsemen, #2) by Laura Thalassa
• Famine (The Four Horsemen, #3) by Laura Thalassa
• Death (The Four Horsemen, #4) by Laura Thalassa
• Killer Content by Kiley Roache
• Lost in Michigan, Volume 3 by Mike Sonnenberg
• Kingdom of the Wicked by Keri Maniscalo
• Quarantine #1: The Loners by Lex Thomas
• Quarantine #2: The Saints by Lex Thomas
• Quarantine #3: The Burnouts by Lex Thomas
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Two Degrees by Alan Gratz
• Landry Park by Bethany Hagen
• Truth or Dare by L.L. Hunter
• Ever (The Ever Trilogy #1) by Jessa Russo
• Evade (The Ever Trilogy #2) by Jessa Russo
• Entwined (The Ever Trilogy #3) by Jessa Russo
• City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare
• No Escape by Maren Stoffels
• City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments #2) by Cassandra Clare
• Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban
• Room Service by Maren Stoffels
• Fright Night by Maren Stoffels
• The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
• The Stranded by Sarah Daniels
• The Girl Who Lived by Christopher Greyson
• Rhapsodic (Bargainer Series #1) by Laura Thalassa
• A Strange Hymn (Bargainer Series #2) by Laura Thalassa
• The Emperor of Evening Stars (Bargainer Series #3) by Laura Thalassa
• Dark Harmony (Bargainer Series #4) by Laura Thalassa
• The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
• To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn
• 49 Miles Alone by Natalie D. Richards
• Last One to Die by Cynthia Murphy
• Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are by Kathryn Foxfield

So, how was your 2024? 

And what are you goals and dreams for 2025? 

2014 -- The Year in Review

Wow! I can't believe 2014 is almost over already. I'm always excited for the start of a new year because it's a fresh start, a time to take what I've learned the previous year and apply it to my life. And saying goodbye to 2014 is really very bittersweet. This has been a trying year for me, both personally and professionally. It seems as though I've had a lot more downs than ups this year, but

In 2014 I...

1. Survived the day my two oldest girls moved out to go live with their dad. I knew the day was coming. It was inevitable, but even knowing that, I wasn't emotionally prepared for it. It nearly broke me. Emotionally. Physically. Mentally. Spiritually. I was in a very dark place, and if it hadn't been for my husband and some really wonderful friends, I don't think I would've made it. I did, though, and it has made me a stronger person, a better mother, and brought me and my husband closer. It also reaffirmed my belief that every dark cloud has a silver lining.

2. Survived the crash and burn of Entranced Publishing. For those of you unfamiliar with this story, you can read about it HERE. This entire situation was devastating on so many levels. I could take the time to list how awful it was, how it affected me emotionally and mentally, but I'm not going to. I think the fact I'm still writing, still querying, still publishing speaks volumes about how much I didn't let this one bad experience ruin me or my love of this profession.

3. I conquered my fear of flying (thanks to the lovely Rachell Nichole) and made it to RT2014! This trip was definitely the highlight of my year! Not only did I get to immerse myself in the New Orleans culture and experience the uniqueness of Bourbon Street, I got to meet some of my writerly friends and a couple of my favorite authors. Did I mention I finally got to meet RYAN WINFIELD??? (insert high pitched squeal here)

The Disenchantments
From Left to Right: Barbara Garren, Me, Kat Daemon, Georgeann Swiger, Aria Kane, Ana Blaze

Even though the Entranced fiasco was horrible and caused some irreparable damage, that group of ladies in the above picture (and plenty more who weren't able to make it to RT2014) made the entire experience worth it, because without Entranced, we never would've found each other. There's that silver lining again ;-)

4. Hosted the Anaiah Press Co-Author Contest in which I chose one lucky author to co-write a book with me. It was a bit scary and daunting to pick a random stranger to write a book with. lol. But I really hit the jackpot when I chose Jody Holford. Not only did I manage to find a fantastic co-author, I've found a lifelong friend and confidant. It was so much more than I ever expected and something I'm so grateful for each and every day. Our first book, DANGEROUS LOVE, will be available April 2015 and we're already in the process of writing a second book with a third one in the development stages. I have a feeling we have a long and lucrative future ahead of us. Love you, Jody!

5. I've successfully built my client list at Anaiah Press. While I've acquired and signed a lot of authors, I unfortunately cannot be the editor for each and every one of them. (Wish I could!) So while each and every author I've ever had the pleasure of working with holds a special place in my heart, I want to give an extra special mention to my authors:

Courtney Rice Gager (Tess in Boots) 

Connie Ann Michael (1000 Stolen Moments) 

Jennifer Novotney (Winter in the Soul)

Molly Zenk (Out of Character)

Renee Donne (Runaway)

Rosie Somers (Pride)

Of course, this list wouldn't be complete without a very honorable mention to my lovely freelance author clients:

Kat Daemon 

Georgeann Swiger

Ava O'Shay

Dylan Quinn

6. I didn't publish a single thing! lol. No, I'm not joking. I seriously did not release a single book this year. While I feel like this is the ultimate failure as an author, I'm trying to spin it in a more positive light. Okay, so I didn't release a book this year. I did spend the year honing my craft though. I've learned so much working as an editor, which carries over into my own personal writing. I've studied the market, read books in my genres, and I wrote. A lot! Oh, and of course, I can't forget the biggest thing...

7. I SIGNED WITH AN AGENT!!!!! Yes, I'm still very excited about this. lol. Dawn Dowdle of the Blue Ridge Literary Agency is simply amazing. I adore her. We edited my book and spent all year querying it. (Before you ask how that went, please re-read #6 above.) But don't worry, we're not giving up!

8. I participated as a #PitchWars Mentor for the first time ever. Talk about a crazy, wild ride. It was a fantastic experience, and I can only hope Brenda Drake will invite me back next year.

9. In a strange twist of events, I met the talented David Jemal, who I have forged a fast friendship and partnership with. We hammered out a 90k book together in a matter of months. Edited it.

10. I wrote. A lot! Let me see...
INFERNO (with David)
DOMINICK (with David)
DANGEROUS LOVE (with Jody)
TEMPTING TANNER (a new adult novel for my agent)
15,000 new words on THE GEORGIA CORBINS

It's been one crazy ride. So, what did you do this year?