Quick Recap
It's been a roller coaster of a year, but I have plenty to be thankful for and a hell of a lot to look back on. It's been a reflective year full of changes. While I didn't fulfill my writing goals, I grew a lot and found that I'm done catering to other people. This year was spent ruminating on the past, looking toward the future, being transparent and open, refusing to compromise who I am for someone else's comfort, and determining who and what is truly worthy of my time.
This year, I tackled a lot of trauma and self-doubt. I changed career paths (from editing to pursuing an internship at a literary agency). I said "no" more often, putting my needs above my desire to be liked and respected by those who hardly show gratitude for all I do. I also happened upon my best friend in a critique group. 2023 was a solid year—the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another. I couldn't end on a better note, really.
Favorites of 2023
Reads published in 2023: Wild Spaces by S.L. Coney and Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee
Read published before 2023: City Song by Oliver Blakemore
Indie read: Beyond the Bounds of Time by J.P. McDonald
Yet-to-be-released read: Eldritch Punks by Oliver Blakemore
TV drama: The Queen's Gambit
TV crime/thriller: Inside Man
Teen series: Heartstopper
TV comedy: The Office
Rewatches: The OA and Peep Show
Teen-centric movie: Metal Lords
R-rated movie: Nope
TV Special: A Whole Lifetime
Most played artist on Spotify: The Story So Far
July has been nuts! With the family vacation behind me, and my son's best friend moving away this week, it's been a hectic and emotional roller coaster.
Yet I still finished the Secrets of Annwyn scaffolding outline and prologue. Given how long Annwyn has taken up real estate in my head, it's freeing to finally get it down on paper. With over 60,000 words in character and plot development, and another 40,000 words in false starts, I'm on track and falling in love with writing again.
After Wendy is coming along. Transcription-style revisions are murder, but I'm trekking along and making it shine. If all goes well, I'll have a polished first act by the Colorado Gold Conference in September.
The kids go back to school on August 14, and I can't wait to have more time to write and create.
On the docket for August: writing 15,000 words of Annwyn; revising chapters eight through ten of After Wendy; editing; judging RMFW's anthology submissions; and perfecting my pitch for Colorado Gold.
Favorite Universal Studios Attraction: Hogsmeade Village
Favorite Re-Watch: Peep Show
August TBR:
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Eldritch Punks by Oliver Blakemore
The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
This month has been a bit of a mess. I began with a couple short stories and ended with the goal of penning 126,000 words (or so) of The Secrets of Annwyn by mid-August.
Despite my reluctance to begin my epic fantasy series too early, I've since backpedaled, realizing I would much rather write about Cassilyn, Fenwick, and Marlowe than anyone else. I have set a goal of 8,400 words written a week and believe that's manageable—even with the looming summer break at the end of May.
Apart from Annwyn, I've been reading through After Wendy and making notes for new scenes. Fingers crossed I have it revised, polished, and ready to go by September, when I pitch to an agent in person.
I will be attending the Nebula conference from the comfort of my home in a couple weeks and will be attending—and running a workshop—at the Colorado Gold Conference in September.
Favorite Watch: Nope
Favorite Read: The Gemarine Chronicles by JP McDonald
May TBR:
Fractal Noise (ARC) by Christopher Paolini
Demon Riding Shotgun by LR Braden
Conscious Designs by Nathanial White
Wistful Ascending by JCM Berne
The First Bright Thing (ARC) by JR Dawson
A brief look at 2022's high and low points
This year has been full of highs and lows. I published my first novel, Lipstick Covered Magnet, and finished my sophomore title, After Wendy. I have been an ARC reviewer over the past year and have loved getting to read books before they hit the market. I've also relaunched my editing side gig, and it's nice to feel important and vital to another author's process.
But the querying process and self-publishing journey haven't been peachy. As I query again, I'm confronted with the rejection or silence from agents and the brick wall that rests between me and traditional publishing. "The market is already full of retellings," I was told. But I don't intend to give up without a fight. If it turns out that my Peter Pan sequel falls into a drawer, due to poor timing, I'm fine with that.
After this year's struggles with self-marketing, social media engagement, and the stress of constant promotion, I've decided to wait it out, until a novel of mine finally breaks through. Despite the anxiety and monetary strain that going indie with LCM brought, I'm happy I tried doing it on my own. At least now I know it isn't for me.
Favorites of 2022
Read published in 2022: The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
Read published before 2022: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Indie read: Traces by Sophie Johannis
Yet-to-be-released read: Maeve Fly by CJ Leede
Publisher: Tor
American TV show: Stranger Things 4
International TV show: 1899
Rewatch: The OA
Family movie: Pinocchio
R-rated movie: Barbarian
Album: Decide by Djo
Writing-related gadget: Alphasmart typewriter
