I can’t remember a year that flew by so quickly as 2014. And I can’t remember a year that has brought such joy. One email made my year grand. So much can change with just one phone call or just one email. Too often in my past decade, that one phone call has meant someone beloved leaving us, either too soon or after a long life.
But this time it meant a dream, long worked for, coming true. My fantasy novel accepted by a major publisher. A three-book contract. A summer of frantic but blissful writing on the sequel. Fall spent working with an awesome editor to revise (and rename) Sand Sifters into Desert Rising. The work I’ve always wanted to do. And yes, even the hardest edits have been a wonderful challenge. I was afraid that writing to contract would lessen my love of putting down the words – but it doesn’t, it gives writing new meaning, it gives me an audience and a purpose.
Other wonderful things – my Mom is healthy again, adjusting to her new life after surgery with vigor. For the first time in four years, none of our beloved pets passed on and all are healthy. A lovely family vacation. The Studio started out performing wonderfully in winter and though things have certainly gone downhill from there, it gave us a cushion to absorb the difficult times after.
2015 will certain bring its challenges and glories. April 21st I will become a published author. The winter will see edits to the second novel as I wrap my creativity around the third, finishing novel of the series. And a second novel scheduled to be out in July. I’ll have to deal with sales that may not be what I want, learning to self-promote, creating a Teflon exterior for negative reviews.
But nothing can take away that moment, May 5th when I opened an email titled “The Sand Sifters.” That incredulous hope, the happiness it gave not just to me, but to my husband, my parents, my editor friend who helped make it happen. Ahhhh…2014 you were glorious. May 2015 have moments that shine just as brightly. And may I have the awareness to savor them, to stay in the moment and soak it all in.
But this time it meant a dream, long worked for, coming true. My fantasy novel accepted by a major publisher. A three-book contract. A summer of frantic but blissful writing on the sequel. Fall spent working with an awesome editor to revise (and rename) Sand Sifters into Desert Rising. The work I’ve always wanted to do. And yes, even the hardest edits have been a wonderful challenge. I was afraid that writing to contract would lessen my love of putting down the words – but it doesn’t, it gives writing new meaning, it gives me an audience and a purpose.
Other wonderful things – my Mom is healthy again, adjusting to her new life after surgery with vigor. For the first time in four years, none of our beloved pets passed on and all are healthy. A lovely family vacation. The Studio started out performing wonderfully in winter and though things have certainly gone downhill from there, it gave us a cushion to absorb the difficult times after.
2015 will certain bring its challenges and glories. April 21st I will become a published author. The winter will see edits to the second novel as I wrap my creativity around the third, finishing novel of the series. And a second novel scheduled to be out in July. I’ll have to deal with sales that may not be what I want, learning to self-promote, creating a Teflon exterior for negative reviews.
But nothing can take away that moment, May 5th when I opened an email titled “The Sand Sifters.” That incredulous hope, the happiness it gave not just to me, but to my husband, my parents, my editor friend who helped make it happen. Ahhhh…2014 you were glorious. May 2015 have moments that shine just as brightly. And may I have the awareness to savor them, to stay in the moment and soak it all in.
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