2011 In Review

Today's Tune: Movie Loves a Screen

So, 2011 was a pretty big year for me. Many things happened. I mean, many things happen every year, but this year was especially full of large, potentially life-changing events.

In January, I decided that I was going to completely scrap the then-draft that was TICK-TOCK and write it over from scratch. I sat down and focused on what I wanted to happen, what I wanted to convey, and how I was going to accomplish that. I became A Planner.

In late March, I decided to leave my job at the time, which I loved, for personal reasons. It was a tough decision, but not one I regret. Six months of unemployment followed. That was the rough part. Still, I made it through.

I wrote. A lot.

I went to Outside Lands for the first time and saw many awesome bands and hung out with one of my best friends and it was fabulous.

I saw another one of my best friends get married.

I wrote a lot more. Then I edited. Then I let people who weren't in my family read a full-length manuscript I had written for the first time and I asked them for their feedback.

My boyfriend, my love, and my partner in crime proposed to me and I became a fiancee.

I got a new job with some great coworkers that I enjoy very much. I get to do good and interesting work on a regular basis.

I attended WriteOnCon and had an awesome experience.

I finished TICK-TOCK and dipped my toes into the querying waters for the very first time. I was terrified. It was worth it.

I ate a lot of good food, drank a lot of good wine, and spent time with a lot of great people.

I struggled with feelings of inadequacy, ineptitude, and general lameness.

I felt lonely. I felt sad. I felt overjoyed.

I made several large steps toward my goal of becoming a published author. I kept up this blog. I finally became okay with calling myself an author.

All in all, I can't say I have many complaints about this year. There were some lows, but there were an awful lot of highs, and that's where I'm choosing to put my heart.

It's been a wonderful year, everyone. Thank you for spending it with me. I'm always so happy, so grateful, that you choose to take time out of your busy lives and give me a little part of yourselves. You are wonderful.

Here's to all of the big things yet to come in 2012. Happy New Year!