See ya Later, 2020


         Hey, would you look at that? We survived 2020. I’m pretty sure we can all agree that we should just set it on fire and call it a day. But even with all the terrible crap that happened, I achieved a few of the things I wanted to. Even if it only happened because we weren’t supposed to leave our houses 90% of the time.

         Anywho.

         Looking back to my post last January, I am proud to say that I did it! I didn’t quit. I didn’t give up. I published my short fiction collection. I met my goals for the first six months, upped them back to normal, and met them for the rest of the year too. I added in new things into my routine and I really got my head on straight for the business that is being a writer. And, best of all, I felt happier with myself. Sadly, I’m still not 100%, but mom life is hard and there are new obstacles every day. This kid is a daredevil and keeps me on my toes. We’re all still adjusting to making time for ourselves around this crazy little boy. But even when I’m stressed out and overwhelmed, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

         For this new year, I have some very large ambitions. Hopefully, my eyes aren’t bigger than my stomach and I’ll tick a couple of these things off the list.

         I plan on releasing another collection of stories in February. It’s going to be some of my favorite posts from here over the last couple of years. I’m going to give them an extra polish and release them for free on Amazon. I’ve decided to do this every year with my favorite posts from now on. I feel like this is a good way to get my work to more people, because I know not everyone is in the blog world. I could even make it interactive and have you guys vote on which ones I should pick at the end of the year to include in the book. We’ll see how it goes.

         Next, I have a full-length novel that I’m hoping to have out by the summer. Fall at the latest, but it will be this year. Now that I’ve figured out how to call something done, I should be able to increase my turnaround on books. This one has the working title of A Crushing Weight and falls under the horror, suspense, and psychological thriller categories. It’s about a girl named Whitney who moves to a new place with her best friend. Her anxiety spikes, and she has to fight to keep control of her life in the new environment. All kinds of crazy shenanigans go down and people may or may not die. *shrug* Who knows? Might have to buy it and find out.

         Another project I have in the works is a non-fiction book about my take on the writing process. I feel like I’ve read so many books like this and every single one of them helped me become a better writer, so there must be another writer out there that could use a grain of salt from me too. This one I’m hoping to have out by the end of the year. October would be ideal, with nanowrimo in November, but that’s optimistic. I’m still in the planning stages, but I’m being positive about how fast I can put it together since it’s not the same as building a world and characters like in fiction.

         And lastly, I’m starting a monthly newsletter. (You can sign up here) I’m nervous about it, since I’m not sure what I’m going to say every time, but I took the plunge with this blog and haven’t tanked yet, so I guess I’m not that bad to listen to. And in all the podcasts and newsletters and author tips and everything that I read, they all say to have an email list and a newsletter, so I guess it’s time to get it going. Fingers crossed it won’t flop.

         All in all, I just want to stay productive and keep working towards the ultimate goal–quitting my retail job and writing full time. Even though I’m sure you all love my retail rants, my sanity will thank me in the end.

Happy New Year!!

*** Also, if you are so inclined to hear from me in more depth on my writing life, I’ve started a monthly newsletter! And you can sign up to be included HERE! ***