Author: Babs Mountjoy on
Saturday, December 31, 2011
It's always a toss-up at the end of the year: look back on the year that's passed, or set that aside and concentrate on the year ahead. Or both. I think that's the kind of year it's been for me.
Personally, the year has been a hard one, as we've struggled with the issues of our special-needs kids, some of them improving, others not so much. The stress has taken a toll on the marriage, as so often happens. I suppose it says something that we're still hanging together. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. We'll find out, I guess.
We're getting older and falling apart a little more--but that's the way of things. Resolutions for next year include to find a therapeutic pool exercise class handy, since the Lyrica didn't work out. Fibromyalgia is such a frustrating condition. You need to get good sleep to bolster pain management, but the pain prevents good sleep. They recommend exercise, even when you feel like you couldn't stand to move an inch through your aching muscles. Best practice for me so far is to take something for pain and just soldier through. Hopefully it'll be better next year.
Professionally, though, what a raft full of blessings! I scored a part-time job with the county as an attorney for families working through Children's Services, that came with benefits and a regular paycheck. This opened up my time formerly spent chasing new clients to spend writing.
I haven't wasted that time, either. In 2011, I signed contracts for five new novels to come out in 2012 and 2013. This is what my new email signature looks like now:
Also writing as Lyndi Alexander:
The Elf Queen, 2010 The Elf Child, 2011 and The Elf Mage, 2012, all from Dragonfly Publishing
http://clanelvesofthebitterroot.com
Triad, coming from Dragonfly Publishing in 2012
Also writing as Alana Lorens:
Secrets in the Sand, a novel of romantic suspense---The Wild Rose Press, April 20,2011
http://alanalorens.com
Conviction of the Heart, coming from The Wild Rose Press in 2012
Second Chances, due out from Zumaya Publications in 2012
Post-apocalyptic YA Series The Color of Fear: Plague, The Color of Fear: Journeys and The Color of Fear: Survivors debuts in 2013 from Zumaya Publications
It took nearly forty years, but I've finally achieved my life's dream: to become a novelist. Best of all, that last YA series is the book(s) of my heart, the one I've sunk my soul into. To find a home for it has been the pinnacle of the year for me. I can't wait to work with editor Liz Burton and Zumaya and get that into print.
But not today. Today I'm tending to my neglected blogs, which have taken second seat to all my novels and galley proofing the last two months. I'm grateful to have had a plethora of guests on particularly the Clan Elves blog and my romance blog to help keep my readers entertained. I want to set a schedule for the new year to tend to each of them at least weekly. With four books coming out in 2012, I need to make sure people can find them! Next week I'm spending reviewing Margie Lawson class notes and several other writing books I've purchased over the last six months and stalled off reading. I've got a lot of writing to do in the next year, and I want to make sure it's the best it can be. I'm sure you all will let me know if it's not!
In the meantime, I wish you all a satisfying 2012, in whatever flavor and definition that means to you. Our family will be celebrating a new arrival in the spring--one that's not between two book covers!-- so we have much to look forward to, as well as travel, family and hopefully some sun here and there. May you have many blessings come to you.
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