2016 has been both a difficult and amazing year. I’ve found myself in the midst of great sorrow and awesome joy. Frustrated and energized and a myriad of other emotions.

My father passed. My mother went into assisted living. The months leading up to these two events were full of drama.

During those same months, I received a book contract and gained an agent. After getting over the initial shock and doing a few happy dances, the realization that life as I know it had just ratcheted up a few notches on the need-to-be-more-focused scale.

Then my PC did strange things at crucial moments. Tears and frustration abounded. Thanks to Microsoft technicians it found deliverance from cyber demons. My newly upgraded PC gave me better options for my Word documents. This led to more frustration while learning the new system.

Working with editors helped me learn to better edit myself.

Rejections

My second novel began doing the rejection rounds in 2016. I’m not discouraged because Secrets and Charades was rejected 20 times before it found a publishing home. I continue to edit and tweak.

My third novel is taking longer to write the first draft than the other two. My editor’s cap keeps me from moving on to the end.

I was forced to strive to be more productive in shorter increments of time due to family commitments and my job. I realized it was indeed possible to write at night even when I’m tired.

Marketing

Marketing is a new experience I began researching in 2016. Reading blogs from authors who have mastered marketing. Seeking out fellow-authors to learn their secrets. Brainstorming with another writer friend who is helping me get my marketing set up. Because I hate promoting myself, my internal judge sees no upside yet.

Realizing I can do this writing thing despite adversity has boosted my confidence.

2017 Writing Goals

After the roller coaster of last year my writing goals for 2017 are simple.

Write more.

Edit more.

Learn my side of marketing.

Continue to pay-it-forward by helping other writers on their journey.

And sell lots of copies of Secrets and Charades. It comes out March 2017.

Happy New Year everyone. Hope you reach all your writing and marketing goals in 2017.