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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Ubiquitous End of the Year Post

Okay, so 2011 is a year that can be summarized in writing/publishing steps and milestones. I'd like to (happily) say that there was other stuff in there too, much of it good, some of it stressful.

 Overall, my kids were happy, healthy, brilliant, and beautiful, with the exception of Ezra's face-plant in his school parking lot, which resulted in a few hours at the emergency room and having his tooth repaired. We took small trips this year, two trips to St. Louis, a trip to Indianapolis. A day trip to Cincinnati. Next year I have plans for bigger trips, but this was a year of small steps.

We put our house up for sale and spent 6 agonizing months keeping it clean, only for it not to sell. Lee lost his job and started a new job. A certain amount of uncertainty there, and looking at houses, and making important grown-up decisions, keeping track of things for taxes, eating my vegetables (I put on weight this year, but this isn't a list of resolutions, so I'll just keep my thoughts on that to myself).

But all in all, writing milestones dominated 2011.

January 2011- I was hard at work on a manuscript- my agent sent me an email in December saying he loved the pages I had sent him, and asking when it could be ready. From that point, until mid February, I wrote non-stop. In February, we wrote a description of the book for the DGLM newsletter, and at the same time I was polishing like crazy.

I've just scanned over email from that time period, which was super-fun. The difficulty writing a synopsis for book 2, the agony of waiting, the phone calls, the excitement. Wow!

So, Masque of the Red Death officially sold to GreenWillow books on March 3. After that came rounds of editing, and I have to say that it's a much better book now, much better for the editing with no changes in mood or story. Lots of revision during the summer, with short stints of working on book 2. And then there was the excitement of the cover, the ARCs, so much happening (though, at the time it didn't always seem that way.

I really am amazed, here at the end of the year, I have two careers that I love. I have two beautiful children, I have Lee, who is supportive and amazing, I have good friends, and family, and 2012 seems like it will be an even more amazing year. So great, that I wouldn't be completely shocked if the world did end in 2012.

Resolutions

Eat better- exercise more
Spend quality time with the kids instead of auto-pilot time. Ezra doesn't notice, but Noel does.
Don't stress about the things I can't control.

So, goodbye 2011, I will remember you fondly.

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3 Comments:

Blogger Krystal Larson said...

The book I am most thankful for would be Wither. I love the strong female character, Rhine, and her resourcefulness. The concept is innovative and evocative, I couldn't put this book down. I am dying for Fever, the sequel! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom (From Goodreads, Thank you for the great giveaway)!

January 3, 2012 at 3:50 PM  
Blogger ~THE OPTIMISTIC PESSIMIST ~ said...

My you did have a very turbulent year!~ I am thankful for wonderful friends and a good job. I was lucky enough this year to go several places I would have never dreamed of going. New York City San Fransisco and New Orleans!~ I had a wonderful time.

So my resolution this year will also try to not stress about things I cannot change. Drink more water :) Exercise more and be more productive. I shall try to no be sucked in to another slackerpalosa

January 9, 2012 at 8:55 PM  
Blogger Lori T. said...

It seems like whenever life gives us great times, we have to suffer through some tough times. I'm glad everything's worked out for you and think even greater things are awaiting. Best of luck on Masque of the Red Death! It sounds amazing :D

March 9, 2012 at 5:34 AM  

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