Good morning, Readers!
Image courtesy of funmozar.com. Click for link.
Well, 2014 has ended. Where did the time go?
Looking back, it's been a hell of a year.
January saw a small milestone on my Facebook Page. I hit 200 likes. I know it doesn't seem like much, but it's a big deal for me. I didn't even know I knew 200 people! Not only that, I'm just some unknown writer from Ottawa, trying to be heard in a vast sea of voices. That 200 people have heard me at all is something astounding. I still feel so very fortunate for it. Perhaps 2015 will be the year when I see my efforts rewarded even more. I'm sitting at 273 likes right now. Fingers crossed that I reach 300. If we managed 400 before 2015 is over, I will celebrate in true style (with a good book and a glass of fine whiskey). January was also the month I started Silver Stag Entertainment, a geeky YouTube channel for geeky people. Right now, we have only one regular show - Nights at the Round Table - where we discuss speculative fiction books and films, but I do have plans to expand the programming in 2015.
In March, I acquired a new look for my business card of which I am very proud. I don't think I'll ever change it. I also started a painting in March. I'm quite proud of that painting, actually. It even looks like the subject... a little. I started and finished another painting in May, and I quite like it too. I am looking forward to doing more painting in 2015.
I finished that painting in April, and gave it to its intended recipient in May during Ottawa ComicCon. This year's ComicCon, incidentally, was crazy. I had so much fun, and it was so lovely to have readers returning for more of my stuff. I spoke to so many wonderful people, both new readers and old, and it was just so, so, so, so lovely. Alas, I am not sure I will be able to make this year's ComicCon. I am on the waiting list for a table, and my fingers are crossed, but prospects are not great. I am very sad about it, as chatting with readers is one of my most favourite things in the world. Send me positive energy, guys! Here's hoping I get in!
July was a fantastic month. I returned to Australia to see my sister marry a good man. Hanging out with family was lovely. I am poor, and Australia is far and expensive to get to, so I am not often travelling there. It had been six years since I had last hugged my mother. Australia, incidentally, has some of the most stunning landscapes. I complied some of my favourite photos of my trip on an album on my Facebook page. You can see them HERE. Alas, it no longer feels like home (and never really did, if I'm honest).
September, I changed up my workout routine and added weightlifting to my schedule. I was and am anxious to get myself strong enough to participate in the various obstacle course races that have been popping up like crazy. They look like awesome fun, but I need to be able to haul my own body weight around. Alas, I cannot yet, but I will!
I released participated in Can-Con again in October, and was on a truckload of panels. I loved it, as everyone was undoubtedly very lovely and fun. There is a fantastic speculative fiction community here in Ottawa, and I am so pleased to be a part of it. The Winter Wolf on schedule in October and the launch party was awesome. I would like to thank everyone who came out again. You really made my night and I'm so thrilled you could be there for me. I love you all.
December saw me finally finish the first draft of Human. The stupid paranormal took me all damned year to write. It was the most frustrating write I have ever done and I am very happy that it is over. I also started my next novel, a historical fiction set in Roman-occupied Britain. Unlike Human, I am absolutely loving writing Daughters of Britain. Celtic Studies is a subject that is very close to my heart, and I get to spend three months in that world... even if it is a fictionalised version of it. I'm really excited about this story, and can't wait to show it to you all. SQUEE!
What a year, right? It's been wonderful and sometimes very hard. I am glad that it is over, and sad at the same time. I am also really looking forward to 2015. At the start of every year, I'm always thinking, 'This could be it. This could be the year I make it.' Every year, as it turns out, it's not the year I make it, but I get closer, and that is very important!
Now, looking forward to 2015, there isn't that much I would do differently. I plan on continuing to do what I do every year - train martial arts, weightlifting, writing, editing, publishing, querying, hoping, crying. I do have two 'resolutions' however:
Have you made any resolutions? If so, what? It's always fun to see the plans of others. That way, we can all cheer each other on.
Seriously, though. You all made 2014 something really special, and I am really, really grateful to you all. So, I wish you an incredible 2015, with much love and laughter, light and joy. See you all next year.
Ciao!
Looking back, it's been a hell of a year.
January saw a small milestone on my Facebook Page. I hit 200 likes. I know it doesn't seem like much, but it's a big deal for me. I didn't even know I knew 200 people! Not only that, I'm just some unknown writer from Ottawa, trying to be heard in a vast sea of voices. That 200 people have heard me at all is something astounding. I still feel so very fortunate for it. Perhaps 2015 will be the year when I see my efforts rewarded even more. I'm sitting at 273 likes right now. Fingers crossed that I reach 300. If we managed 400 before 2015 is over, I will celebrate in true style (with a good book and a glass of fine whiskey). January was also the month I started Silver Stag Entertainment, a geeky YouTube channel for geeky people. Right now, we have only one regular show - Nights at the Round Table - where we discuss speculative fiction books and films, but I do have plans to expand the programming in 2015.
In March, I acquired a new look for my business card of which I am very proud. I don't think I'll ever change it. I also started a painting in March. I'm quite proud of that painting, actually. It even looks like the subject... a little. I started and finished another painting in May, and I quite like it too. I am looking forward to doing more painting in 2015.
I finished that painting in April, and gave it to its intended recipient in May during Ottawa ComicCon. This year's ComicCon, incidentally, was crazy. I had so much fun, and it was so lovely to have readers returning for more of my stuff. I spoke to so many wonderful people, both new readers and old, and it was just so, so, so, so lovely. Alas, I am not sure I will be able to make this year's ComicCon. I am on the waiting list for a table, and my fingers are crossed, but prospects are not great. I am very sad about it, as chatting with readers is one of my most favourite things in the world. Send me positive energy, guys! Here's hoping I get in!
July was a fantastic month. I returned to Australia to see my sister marry a good man. Hanging out with family was lovely. I am poor, and Australia is far and expensive to get to, so I am not often travelling there. It had been six years since I had last hugged my mother. Australia, incidentally, has some of the most stunning landscapes. I complied some of my favourite photos of my trip on an album on my Facebook page. You can see them HERE. Alas, it no longer feels like home (and never really did, if I'm honest).
September, I changed up my workout routine and added weightlifting to my schedule. I was and am anxious to get myself strong enough to participate in the various obstacle course races that have been popping up like crazy. They look like awesome fun, but I need to be able to haul my own body weight around. Alas, I cannot yet, but I will!
I released participated in Can-Con again in October, and was on a truckload of panels. I loved it, as everyone was undoubtedly very lovely and fun. There is a fantastic speculative fiction community here in Ottawa, and I am so pleased to be a part of it. The Winter Wolf on schedule in October and the launch party was awesome. I would like to thank everyone who came out again. You really made my night and I'm so thrilled you could be there for me. I love you all.
December saw me finally finish the first draft of Human. The stupid paranormal took me all damned year to write. It was the most frustrating write I have ever done and I am very happy that it is over. I also started my next novel, a historical fiction set in Roman-occupied Britain. Unlike Human, I am absolutely loving writing Daughters of Britain. Celtic Studies is a subject that is very close to my heart, and I get to spend three months in that world... even if it is a fictionalised version of it. I'm really excited about this story, and can't wait to show it to you all. SQUEE!
What a year, right? It's been wonderful and sometimes very hard. I am glad that it is over, and sad at the same time. I am also really looking forward to 2015. At the start of every year, I'm always thinking, 'This could be it. This could be the year I make it.' Every year, as it turns out, it's not the year I make it, but I get closer, and that is very important!
Now, looking forward to 2015, there isn't that much I would do differently. I plan on continuing to do what I do every year - train martial arts, weightlifting, writing, editing, publishing, querying, hoping, crying. I do have two 'resolutions' however:
- Play more video games. Yes, you read that correctly. I haven't had much time to play, to unwind and relax. So, in 2015 I am scheduling time, damn it!
- Paint more. This was also my resolution for last year, and I got two paintings done in the year. I'm looking to increase my output, please and thank you! I actually have four paintings planned... and they're all gifts. Sigh. One day I will paint something to sell...
Have you made any resolutions? If so, what? It's always fun to see the plans of others. That way, we can all cheer each other on.
Seriously, though. You all made 2014 something really special, and I am really, really grateful to you all. So, I wish you an incredible 2015, with much love and laughter, light and joy. See you all next year.
Ciao!
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