2012
has been quite a year for me both personally and professionally. On a personal
note, my mother fell and broke her hip twice, once in September and again in
October. Thankfully, she’s doing well and I’m praying for a full recovery. It’s
been a difficult time, especially for her, of course, but also for me because
I’m her primary caregiver. It hasn’t been easy for either of us but I’ve
learned a lot through it all – about her and about myself – and since I believe
that everything happens for a reason, I trust things will work out for the
best.
Book signing in April for "Mixed Messages"
Professionally,
this year has been incredible! Post Mortem Press published the first two novels
in my Malone mystery series, Mixed
Messages and Unfinished Business.
A dream come true! Some days, when I wake up in the morning, I have to pick up
copies of my two books and hold them in my hands to convince myself that it really
happened.
But
2013 is fast approaching and, although I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, I
do set goals for the coming year, especially when it comes to my
writing. A blank page is like a new year. It’s a
fresh start, a chance to write the beginning of a whole new story. It’s
exciting but it’s also scary. Where to start? What will happen? What part will each
character play in the story? So many unanswered questions as I begin to plot and write the third book for my series.
My
“plan” is to finish the book by the end of summer. Plan is in quotation marks
because, if there’s one thing I’ve learned this year, it’s that the saying,
“Man plans; God laughs,” is really true. None of us knows what the new year (or
the new book) will bring but I choose to believe that it will be everything I
hope for and more. I hope it is for you too!
Happy New Year!
My tentative goal was to have the first draft of the new Mallory Petersen mystery done by the end of the year. I have reached that goal. For next year, it's to finish the rewrite and the rewrite of another completed manuscript and to make a solid decision on a book that's been haunting me for years. Either I will finish it or scrap it and move on.
ReplyDeleteStephen,
DeleteCongratulations on achieving your 2012 goal and best of luck in 2013!
Best of luck for your unfinished chapters, Pat! Sounds like you've had some serious accomplishments with other ones this year. Congrats! I hope your mother fully recovers, and am glad you've found ways to turn troubling times to a deeper connection.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I have a debut novel coming out in less than 3 weeks now. By new year's hope is to try and do right by it, and all the people who helped me get here, including future readers.
Jenny,
DeleteI wish you the best of luck with your debut novel. I know how excited you must be. I'd like to know more about your book so, if you have time, please email me.
Well, I guess Mom doesn't have any more hips to break...
ReplyDeleteI've been fortunate - three falls this year but didn't break a thing. Finished a novel and got another started.
Played a little music - and had a good time!
Actually, Dac, she broke the same hip twice. I'm glad when you fell that you didn't break anything. Trust me, it's not something you want to do.
DeleteI'm glad you finished a novel and had a good time in 2012. I hope you have a great time in 2013!
I have a feeling you and your mom are both tough -- survivors. You just keep plugging along and dealing with things as they happen.
ReplyDeleteAnd I wish you the best with the new book because I can't wait to read it.
Thank you, Marja! I can never thank you enough for all the support you've given me through it all. You're not only a fantastic writer; you're a fantastic friend!
DeletePatricia,
ReplyDeleteLike you, I've been a caregiver this year. My husband's been very ill, and I haven't been writing much. However, in 2012 I've had two mysteries, one romantic suspense, and one short story published. Also, three of my out-of-print kids' books came out as ebooks. I never added it up until now. I'm glad to see I accomplished quite a bit this year.
I plan to write and publish more books in the coming year.
Happy 2013!!
Very impressive list of accomplishments in 2012, Marilyn. I hope 2013 brings you more of the same!
DeleteWishing you every success, Pat, both professionally and personally. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anne! I wish the same for you.
DeleteHeck of a year Pat!! I was lucky enough to finish one book, Gray Ghost (July 2013) and made it Half way through the second in the series before New Years caught up to me. Wish you and your Mom well in 2013.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chris! I think finishing one book and making it halfway through a second book is quite an accomplishment. I wish you good things in 2013!
DeleteMy year was up and down, like yours and that of some other commentors. My husband made a long, slow recovery from a January surgery and our grown son, who has no insurance, shattered his collarbone the same month. But I signed with an agent and have a e-book deal through her, plus another small publisher contract for a book coming out in April. Kind of the best of times, the worst of times sort of year. Here's hoping 2013 bring much success to you!
ReplyDeleteAnd much success to you too, Kaye. I'm looking forward to your "Author of the Month" post here in April.
DeleteYou and our readers inspire me, Patricia! I've just been mulling over my writing goals for 2013. To pick up the threads of previous starts or to begin anew? That's one of my ponderings. Of course, the most important thing is to write, and that I shall do.
ReplyDeleteNancy,
DeleteYou're exactly right! No matter what life throws at us, we have to keep hitting those keys. Best of luck to you with your writing in 2013!
Congrats on a great year! I hope 2013 is just as good for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kelly! I hope your 2013 is spectacular!
Delete