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
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
November has been a bit of a roller coaster. I began the month participating in NaNoWriMo and ended it with two rambunctious children in the house begging for my attention. Needless to say, I didn't get much writing in once Thanksgiving (and my son's birthday) rolled around. But I did have a wonderful reading/Q+A at my alma mater, UCCS, and it was fabulous.
While I didn't make the 50,000-word goal, I wrote 28,000 words of The Many Doors of Annwyn before realizing the writing was good but the plot wasn't moving forward. I'll be spending two weeks to a month outlining my trilogy and worldbuilding before I start writing again.
In December, I'll be outlining, pulling together a query list, and blue skying (or brainstorming) my sci-fi TV series idea.
December TBR:
Dual Memory by Sue Burke (Tor ARC)
The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz (Tor ARC)
The Shape of Darkness by Laura Purcell
Wild Massive by Scotto Moore (Tor ARC)
Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
After Wendy is officially in the query trenches! I sent my first letter today and will update you monthly (unless I receive good news before then).
I'm currently outlining my fantasy series about Merlin's adventures outside of Camelot. It will feature doorways into other planes of existence, magic, the last living dragon, and rips in reality. The first draft will commence on Monday.
I have also been tossing around ideas for a heady sci-fi short story that I intend to build into a TV pilot. I'm still working out the finer details, but it should give off The OA vibes.
My Spooky TBR for October:
Lute by Jennifer Thorne (ARC)
Little Eve by Catriona Ward (Paperback ARC)
The Binding by Bridget Collins
Bone China by Laura Purcell
The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements
