It has been a fantastic year. Lots happened. Mostly good. Some bad. Here's just a couple highlights:
1) My publisher decided to shutter its doors by the end of 2012, which left my book, Dragonfly Warrior, homeless. Luckily, I was able to get picked up by another publisher that I had met with late last year. It all worked out.
2) I participated in the Blogging A-Z Challenge for the first time where I did 26 posts about steampunk. It was tough, and I got a little burned out at the end, but I powered through it.
3) I was told that my company was closing its doors here, but wanted to move me to Pittsburgh. I initially accepted, but I changed my mind. I went after a job with a company I had long admired, and I was chosen. So now long distance move, AND I'm happier.
4) NaNoWriMo was something that I longed to do for eight years, but just never had the courage to do. I decided to throw my hat in the ring literally a day before it started. And I kicked that 50,000 word goal's ass. My NaNo project is my sequel to Dragonfly Warrior - and I just signed a contract for that book last week, titled Shadow Warrior.
5) I did a lot of ARC reading and editing this year. It was great to help others out. If time allows, I'd like to continue to help. And many of you helped me out with my blurb for Dragonfly Warrior. Thank you so much. I love this writing community!
6) Wanting to always learn and get outside my comfort zone, I decided to collaborate with the wonderful Mirandy Hardy. We're writing a YA paranormal romance together - something that I never thought I'd do. And I'm writing in 1st person. That's a far departure from what I normally do. It's going great, and we're almost done with our first draft. You'll hear more about our project in 2013 for sure.
7) I turned 40 on Wednesday. I don't feel much different. Still feel like a kid. I know I act like one often.
8) I'm moving the week of New Years, followed by a business trip to Colorado Springs January 7th, so this is my last post until January 11th. That's the longest hiatus I've taken in a couple years, and I will still visit all of you until then.
Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope you set some fantastic goals for 2013, and here's to reaching them together!
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28 comments:
A year of ups and downs, but a lot of grown and good things too! I hope 2013 is a good one for you. Best of luck.
That's quite a year! Glad you got picked up by another publisher. Glad you did the A to Z - it gets easier! (I've done it three years now.)
Hope the move goes well and we'll see you soon.
Hope the next few weeks go well for you and your family. A lot of awesome things are on the horizon and I'm excited.
If the world ends tomorrow, I'll be pissed. Lol
Merry Christmas, Jay. Good luck with the move.
2012 has been a wild ride for you...hope 2013 is just as great.
And thanks for paving the way to 40 for me. Let me know any tips.
What have yu been doing, Mr. Lazy? lol Sounds like too good of a year to have it marred with a new age apocalypse.
Where are you moving to?
Merry Christmas.
Sounds like a busy year. I don't think I'd want to live in Pittsburgh either. I mean you never know when some maniac might show up to blow up the football stadium and all the bridges to leave the city in complete anarchy.
I think I'll have to move next year too but probably not until spring, which is always better than trying to do it in winter.
T.S. You too!
Alex: Alrighty - sounds good.
Miranda: Yeah, I'll be pretty pissed off too. All this for nothin'.
Jen: Eat more fiber.
Jeremy: I'm just moving 30 minutes west of here, but it's such a pain. Merry Christmas to you too.
PT: Hey - I have a buddy of mine that was one of the football players in that scene. He got to keep the Gotham jersey he wore!
A business trip to Colorado Springs? You'll be right close to my neck of the tundra. Glad that your book has a new home and have a great end of the year! :)
Wishing you a productive 2013!
Mood
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you! It's been a good year for you, and here is hoping that next year will be even better! :)
Steampunk Santa and reindeer! How awesome!
I really enjoyed your A to Z steampunk theme. It helped me understand more about the genre and I'm going to tackle some of its elements in an upcoming novel.
You've had a lot going on this year. I'm glad Dragonfly Warrior found a new home without much fuss and congrats on the sequel contract!
Enjoy your business trip. Take some pictures in Colorado Springs. I'd like to see how prevalent the fire damage is some six months later. I bet the hills are still all blackened, etc.
It's been a great year, Jay! Wish you Happy Holidays and a great start into the new year. May it bring even more successes and wonderful people into your life.
Sounds like 2012 has been a fairly full and exciting year! Wishing you all the best for 2013 in all your endeavours :)
I didn't feel any different turning 40 either.
Co-writing a book is a lot of fun. I did that with my first non-fiction book.
Sounds good. Colorado on the 7th sounds cool. It was my favorite place to live and where the teachers taught me how to read. I owe the first and second grade teachers of Colorado all my gratitude. Merry Christmas Jay!
It has indeed been a busy year for you. I enjoyed your A to Z steam punk theme- your series was one of my favorites during the month A to Z ran. Wishing good things for you for 2013.
wow, you are a busy man!! have a great new year!!
glad to hear you had a successful year, Jay!
Sounds like you had a great year. Here's hoping 2013 is just as fabulous. :)
Isn't it funny how our choices and life events propel us toward the unknown? Nice lookback!
I haven't stopped by for a bit but I'm REALLY happy to hear that your book got picked up by a different publisher! That's amazing :)
Cheers to an inspired 2013!
Happy New Year, Jay!! Hope the move is going well. Take care.
happy new year! Glad your book was picked up by another publisher right away :)hope 2013 is an awesome year for you.
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Ah! Congrats on your NaNo project being such a success for you! That is so cool! And talk about some tough things (publisher, job) that changed but you came out better in the end. Go you! Here's to 2013 being amazing :)
Sounds like a great year, I hope 2013 is as blessed for you!
I hope you had a great Christmas, Jay. You had quite the year last year!
I lost a contract too. Working on finding another pubber. Luckily, my YA novella and novel were pubbed without a hitch.
Happy 2013!
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