Well here we go again. Another year has gone. Another new one is just beginning.
Seems like just yesterday when I was farewelling 2012 and ushering in 2013. Now 2013 has sailed off into the sunset while 2014 is rapidly taking over.
What a year 2013 was. I feel like I've barely stopped to catch a breath. Work has been busy, but manageable and rewarding. I've managed to keep my job for another year (which always feels like an achievement) so there'll be a roof over my head and food on the table for now.
This year has been especially memorable as I managed to fulfill one of my long-standing dreams by taking my family overseas. And we survived, and we're still talking to each other, and we actually had a really great time. Maybe we'll even do it again some time - who knows?
So onto the writing (what's a post in Dag-Lit Central without some sort of reference, however obtuse). Given that my number one goal was to have another title out this year, I guess I didn't quite make it. However, I don't look at this year as a failure, writing-wise. In fact, I have to say I think it's been a particularly successful one for a number of reasons:
Seems like just yesterday when I was farewelling 2012 and ushering in 2013. Now 2013 has sailed off into the sunset while 2014 is rapidly taking over.
What a year 2013 was. I feel like I've barely stopped to catch a breath. Work has been busy, but manageable and rewarding. I've managed to keep my job for another year (which always feels like an achievement) so there'll be a roof over my head and food on the table for now.
This year has been especially memorable as I managed to fulfill one of my long-standing dreams by taking my family overseas. And we survived, and we're still talking to each other, and we actually had a really great time. Maybe we'll even do it again some time - who knows?
So onto the writing (what's a post in Dag-Lit Central without some sort of reference, however obtuse). Given that my number one goal was to have another title out this year, I guess I didn't quite make it. However, I don't look at this year as a failure, writing-wise. In fact, I have to say I think it's been a particularly successful one for a number of reasons:
- While I wasn't able to get Neville #3 (Scrawling) out as I had hoped, it's very close to being ready - just needs one more round of editing and a final proofread. I figure I'd rather take the time to get it right, rather than rush to meet an artificial deadline.
- I've made substantial progress on my detective thriller. Actually managed to get two complete rewrites done on it, and I'm very pleased with how it's progressing. I think there's a good chance it could be out in the next 12 months too.
- I signed a contract with Evolved Publishing to release my first picture book, Thomas and the Tiger Turtle. It should be out in May.
- I also signed with Booktrope to re-release Magnus Opum. Will keep you informed on a release date for that.
I'm thinking I might give Neville a well-earned rest. One thing I'm keen to look at is working on more picture books. I also have a couple of other projects in the works:
- I'm thinking about another social satire/fable type of thing like Flidderbugs - but maybe dinosaurs instead of insects this time (I've always loved dinosaurs).
- I also have my YA fantasy story thingy to progress. I finished a first draft back in 2012 so am ready to get back into it. It needs a lot of work.
I’m trying to work my way through a backlog of posts, Jonathan, so a belated Happy New Year. Pleased that you’re keeping busy. Bit jealous really but when I say stuff like that my wife usually chips in and points out all the stuff I’m doing that I shrug off as throw away writing. What did please me was how many books I read last year. Over ninety! Never read that many book in a year in my puff before. So, yay me. Finding myself keeping up the momentum too which is nice. I’m a great one in letting the brain do what it wants to do when it wants to do it. Sure I’d love to be writing but all this stuff that’s going in has to find an outlet somewhere and who knows what’s round the corner for any of us? It’s all a part of the writing process; I can trace that novella I wrote last January straight back to the books I’d been reading the preceding weeks. All grist to the mill.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year Jim.
DeleteNinety books in a year! I couldn't read that many in a decade.