Good morning, Readers!

It's the last day of 2015!  Holy crap, where did this year go?

​Yesterday I looked back at the year.  Today I'm going to peer into next year.

There's a lot of stuff I want, and a lot of it I have been working towards since I started this whole writing journey.  Many of the goals I'm going to list are goals I have had since always.  They're also goals that keep shifting, because they move further up the higher I climb.  This is not a bad thing.

For 2016, I'm going to try for major achievements!

That's all I can really think of.  It's actually a lot of work, even though it looks like a fairly short list.  What about you?  Do you set yourself goals each year?  What are they?

Well, I'm off to visit family and have fun.  Have a wonderful New Year's celebration, and I'll see you all in 2016.

​Ciao!

Good morning, Readers!

So, I've been meaning to write this post for a while, but I kept forgetting.  Now that the year is ending, I figured it was a good time to take a look back at my year in writing and see what I did right, what I did wrong, and what I still need to do to get myself where I want to be.

First of all, let's see what it was I wanted to do for this year:

So.... how did I do?

This of course is old hat stuff now.  With five self-published titles under my belt, I know how it works.  But there are people who helped me enormously to get this book out.

To the cover designer, Lindsay Coderre, who stepped in and created that fantastic cover when my usual wonderful cover designer was unable, thank you!  To the always wonderful Eric Desmarais, who formatted the book for me, making it the most professional, beautiful interior of a book I've ever had, thank you!

Many of you who have been following me know the story of this book.  I resisted writing this book when the idea was first conceived by my dickhead of a brain.  The interior conversation went something like this:

Me: Man, there are so many vampire books. I'm so sick of vampires!
Brain: You know what you want to write...?
Me: ...
       ...
       NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Of course, my brain being my brain, I had no real choice in the matter.  What followed was a year of writing under duress, with all the adult language and childish temper-tantrums of a teenager told to clean their room.  It seems to have paid off, though.  It's been getting really good reviews.

There is a steady increase in entries every year I have entered a give-away (side note 2015, you couldn't give me 666?  You had to stop at 665?  I am disappointed).  It's incredibly difficult to discern the reason.  Are people starting to recognise my name and want my stuff, or is it just that each story seems progressively interesting to the wider Goodreads community?  Who knows?  I certainly don't.

​The same goes for the stats of the actual books.

​General Stats

The numbers aren't spectacular, honestly, but big numbers aren't the goal.  I'm looking for trends.

​Here, The Seraphimé Saga books have the highest rating, Ethan Cadfael: The Battle Prince has the highest number of ratings/reviews, but it is Human that has the highest number of "To-Read" markings; something that steadily rises with each book I publish.  Again, I have no idea if this is due to my marketing efforts, or if it's merely due to the fact that each book appears more interesting than the last.

I couldn't tell you.

That said, the steady rise in numbers makes me think that I'm at least on the right track.  So, am I marketing better?

Maybe?

*shrugs*

Technically, I began charity efforts two years ago when I first started what I called The Your Very Own Adventure Project.  I had not expected the writing of that story to take two years. I thought I'd have maybe a cute little novella to sell for charity at the end of that year.  As it turns out, I have a full-length novel - Sky Road Walker - to sell for charity now that all the writing and voting is over.

The book will be next year's Hallowe'en publication, mostly to ease the pressure on me a bit (and my promise to myself to put out a book a year for as long as I can).

​Then there is the Kiva.org team, Have a Heart Campaign.  This thing was conceived and launched all on the same morning, so I didn't really give it the time and build up it needed for the launch to be more successful.  If you're a Kiva.org lender already, or if you want to start making a difference in the world, feel free to join our team!  I'll be doing drives periodically, I think, though with my history of marketing ability, I'm pretty sure they won't be that effective.  Oh well! The thought was there.

I've always wanted to give back, and writing has given me the opportunity to do so.  I'm pretty happy about my efforts this year, even though Sky Road Walker​ will not be available until late next year (and therefore won't be making an impact for a while).

Started - check.
Finished - define "finished."  Okay, the first draft is done, but it's in a bit of a state at the moment.  I had hoped to have it ready to submit to publishers in January, but I guess it'll have to wait until later next year before being subjected to the round of disappointment and tears that is shopping a manuscript.

This year, I played it safe, and kept to the conventions I normally attend.  The big ones were Ottawa ComicCon and Can-con.  I did attend smaller affairs, like the autumn Ottawa Small Press Book Fair (which was wonderful), and my books even made an appearance when I was not available at Ottawa Pop Expo (thanks to the fabulous people at JenEric Designs).

I was far more involved with Can-Con this year than I have been in previous years, stepping far out of my comfort zone to be a moderator on a panel, and it was a great experience for me.  I adore the folks at this convention.

I did it, guys!  I was terrible at it, but I did it!

This was well outside of my safety zone.  Before my final pitch at Can-Con this year, I was about ready to vomit.  Afterwards, I cried.

Anxiety sucks balls.

Anyway, I'm a bit proud of myself for doing it.  Now I just have to keep doing it so I can get better at it.

I think I managed this.  I met a few new readers at each of the conventions I attended, and that was great.  My social media numbers have risen a little bit, so that must indicate something?  It's hard to tell, really, but I'm guessing by the slow rise in numbers noted in the marketing section of this post that I'm slowly crawling upwards.

​So... yay?

I can safely I achieved this.  While I didn't get as many paintings done as I wanted, I did increase my portfolio a fair bit, and even have a way to sell prints to those who want it.  So yay!  All of my digital paintings are on a gallery on my website.

I DID IT!

It was only one, but

I DID IT!

Now to make sure I don't lose the ability to do it... that's the trick.

So, not a bad effort for 2015, all things considered.

2015 was actually a very difficult year for me, and I've had a fair number of panic attacks and breakdowns.  I don't really talk about every single one, because... well... who wants to know?  But it has been rough, though not as rough as some years.

I've done a lot of personal work since I recognised my self-destructive behaviours fairly late in my twenties.  This will be an ongoing thing for the rest of my life, and I feel like I took some major steps backwards this year.  It's frustrating and hard, but I have a lot to be proud of.  This year might have been particularly rough, but that just means that I have somewhere to work from, and I can now identify the issues I didn't work on well enough in 2015.

2016 will be better personally, and, hopefully, professionally as well.

I have many goals to set, so, have a fantastic day.

​Ciao!

Good morning, Readers!

Last night, we had the first real snowfall of the winter.  It's late.  It's very late.  It's also still going.  It was an interesting walk into work today.

On the way, I saw five stuck busses and two cars whose owners very clearly had not yet put on their snow tyres.  Oh dear, drivers.  Bet you felt foolish fishtailing all over the roads at a snail's pace.  Idiots.

I'm so happy the snow is here!  I might be the only one in the city (with the exception of the Amazing Flatmate) who feels this way, but I do.  I love the snow.  I love the cold.  I adore walking in the cold, and seeing the snow come down, and waking up in the mornings to see snow-covered roof tops.

I like going snow shoeing.  I'm less of a fan of downhill skiing, but I'd like to give Nordic skiing a shot.  Nothing appeals to me more than going out for a walk in the snow, then returning home to a hot drink and some quality reading time by the fireplace (this is the vision I have of me when I own my own home).

Autumn is my favourite season, but winter is a very close second.

I would say that I suspect the fact that I wasn't born in Canada and so haven't been experiencing a Canadian winter all my life as the reason I still adore this time of year, but the Amazing Flatmate has... and she also loves this weather.

So instead, I shall blame my Scandinavian heritage (the most recent I can recall in our tree was from Norway).  That works better as a reason, as the Amazing Flatmate also has Scandinavian heritage.

That's my excuse, anyway, and I'm sticking with it!

And on that note, I'm going to stare blankly at the screen today.  There is literally nothing going on at work right now.  I think I might be the only one in the office all day today.

​Ciao!

Good morning, Readers!

This is a pre-scheduled post, because it's the Winter Solstice season and I'm on holiday, so, in case anyone took offence at my last post, for whatever reason, let me explain:

Ciao!

Good morning, Readers!

I'm not here.  I won't be here tomorrow, either, and there'll be no blog post.  I'm having a quality Christmas with my family, but I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

I am a cynical agnostic with pagan sympathies, so, I don't celebrate this season as a religious holiday.  For me, it's merely a wonderful time to spend with loved ones.  Here in Canada, it's largely celebrated as the Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus.

There are many religions who hold this season sacred, however.

So, to my Wiccan and Druidic friends, let me wish you a Joyous Solstice Season. 'Tis Nollagh. Welcome the returning light.

To my Germanic/Scandinavian pagan friends, blessings of the Yule Father upon you.  Thank you for keeping the light burning, doing your part to stave off Ragnarök.  I appreciate it.

If there are any Persian pagans reading this, Happy "Birthday of the Unconquered Sun" to Mithras, born of a virgin, miracle-worker and saviour.  I'm not sure what your festival is called, precisely, but I wish you many joys in your celebrations.

To my Jewish friends, Happy (belated) Hanukkah, and Feast of Lights.

There are many birthdays of gods and demigods observed this time of year, so a quick Happy Birthday to:

Adonis, Agdistis, Attis, Zeus, Heracles, Corybas, Perseus and Dionysus (Greek and region), Romulus and Remus (Roman), Zoroaster (Persian), Krishna and Buddha (both Indian), Beddou (Eastern Asian), Tammuz (Sumerian), Horus and Osiris (both Egyptian), Quetzalcoatl (Aztec), and, of course, Jesus (whether it's his actual birthday or not).

To name but a few!

May those celebrating these deities' associated festivities have a wonderful celebration!

In whatever way you celebrate this season - be it pagan, or Abrahamic, or areligious - I sincerely wish you to best of holidays and an even better year to come.

Good morning, Readers!

Well, today was off to a great start.  I left my wallet at home.  No lunch for me today.

That's okay.  I've eaten a lot this holiday season.  Skipping a meal won't be the end of the world.

In other news, largely thanks to my friend Karen, I've completed the Christmas shopping I needed to get done.  We met up for a long overdue dinner last night, and she very kindly took me out to shop for the final gift I needed.

She also gave me a Christmas gift of Vegemite.  She rocks.

There was also a satchel of Canadian made bath salts.  They were made by Blyss by Laura, who just launched their Etsy store this year.  I can't wait to crack into that bag and have a good long soak in the tub.

Thanks, Karen!

This Christmas will be quieter than others, the big family get together having already happened - and aside, that's weird sentence. It sounds weird to me.  Is it even correct? *shrugs* - but it will be nice to spend time with my immediate family.

My little brother flies in from Toronto today at midday.  I'm at work, so I cannot, alas, meet him at the aeroport,  We will be having dinner together tonight, though, so that'll be nice.

Since there is so little to report, I'll leave you with the solution to a puzzle that made my jaw drop.  I mean, I love puzzles, but this is some next level shit:

Ciao!

Good morning, Readers!

Well, how is everyone's Christmas shopping going?  Mine's not going well at all.  I have gifts for two people.  Just two.  That's all.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Ahem.

Most everyone else I know has their shopping done.  In typical style, I do not.  It's... stressful.  I'm going to have to shop on Christmas Eve.

I'M SO SORRY RETAILERS!

I think I know what I'll get, though, so that's easy.  I'm also purchasing a number of Kiva.org gifts through the Have a Heart Campaign team.  I like the idea of giving someone the gift of giving someone else a fighting chance at life.

There isn't much news beyond my immediate holiday shopping stress.  How about you?  What's going on in your life?

​Are you ready for Christmas?