So it’s a new year

So it’s 2015 and it’s time to get back on the grid as it were. The end of 2014 was busy with NaNoWriMo and then the holidays, which is why I kind of disappeared. That and I’ve been grappling with depression again for whatever reason: could be the shorter days, diet, too much sedimentary living, lack of a support system, work, the coming anniversary of my mom’s passing and her birthday, worries about finances, or maybe even a combo of everything just catching up with me.

But I am trying to make good changes to hopefully perk up from exercising daily and just keeping a more optimistic outlook. And in all honesty 2015 can be a good year; it just depends on how the chips fall, and I have no control over that, so why worry? For the most part, 2014 set me up for all sorts of possibilities:

NaNoWriMo/SciFi Novel

In the strict sense of NaNoWriMo, I didn’t win; however, I did finally finish my SciFi Novel and that was all the victory I was going for. That novel is now deep into revision work; I hope to have my first round of revisions (what I’m calling my electronic revisions) done by the end of January. I will then move onto print-out revisions, which I intend to finish by mid-February, before immediately submitting the novel to publishers. With any luck, it will be picked up. I’m favoring the SciFi novel to go first before “Passage,” my fantasy novel, since I think it is more marketable in the current climate.

I’ve also finally been able to map out this book’s sequel after finding my character’s third option, one that she would not be opposed to.

“Passage”

I still plan to submit “Passage” though it will be playing second fiddle in my queue. I once again need to tweak the novel (and the drafts of its sequels) and the map that goes with it. It is a decision I agonized over (not for copyright issues), because after more than 10 years and six books, you kind of get attached to a name. It had special meaning to me since it was a nod to my first full-length novel (that will never see the light of day, lol), namely it was the last name of several of my main characters. However, I decided I needed to let go, rather than brood. But not going to lie: It’s going to be a pain in the butt to change all its mentions and the map. I think it is the most mentioned city in my world.

Work

I actually received recognition for my work at the Hoosier State Press Association seminar and awards banquet. I got third place for a series of photos that I took to accompany my story about a local high school’s building trades program. It was the work highlight of the year.

Looking Ahead

Now looking ahead, I hope to keep the writing and editing momentum going. I also hope to keep my blog as active as possible throughout 2015. Here’s hoping!

Cheers everyone, and I hope you had wonderful holidays.