Professionally,
2012 has been one helluva year for me. In the space of 12 months, I:
-Landed an
agent
-Got a book
deal with my dream publishing house
-Completed
revisions and copyedits on HEXED
-Outlined,
re-outlined, and got 10K into the untitled sequel for HEXED
-Started a
blog (328 followers and nearly 55,000 page views—not bad, me thinks!)
-Joined the
admin team for OneFourKidLit (our blog launches Jan 1st, so watch out
for it!)
-Co-hosted
Christmas in July (12 out of 30 entrants are now agented and one has a book
deal with HarpenTeen, but who’s counting).
-Visited
Los Angeles for ‘research’
-Met and
became fast friends with an insanely awesome group of writerly peeps
-Probably a
few more things, but I can’t remember at the moment.
Looking
back, it’s hard to believe all that happened in just 12 months (Or that as
successful a year could ever be duplicated again). Thanks to everyone who
helped to make this year such a smashing success and who cheered me on along
the way. I LOVE YOU GUYS! Thanks especially to my sister Brandy Allard and my
CP/co-conspirator Ruth Lauren Steven, who are both the bomb diggity and deserve
showers of accolades, puppies, and shrines in their honor for everything they’ve done for me.
Now . . . I
went into last year without much more of plan than to get my book published,
but inspired by a blog post from Marissa Meyer, I’m going into 2013 with a few
goals:
1.
WRITE
MORE. This seems obvious, right? But looking back at the last year, I realized
I only have 1/10th of a completed book to my name. There were 3
false starts of various projects, but nothing I can use. That’s not cool. In
2013, I’d like to complete two books: the sequel to HEXED, and SUPER SEKRIT
PROJECT.
2.
Remain
as committed as I have been to this blog and my internet presence in general.
3.
Get
the hell off my iPhone. I mean, I love my phone as much as the next girl, but
the thing has a tendency of getting in the way of what’s really
important—family. You heard it here first, folks: no iPhones at the dinner
table, no iPhones at playgroup, no iPhones unless absolutely necessary!
I have a feeling
2013 is going to be a really exciting year (And not just because I finally get
to say my book is coming out next year). Looking forward to great things to
come! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! HAVE FUN! DON’T DRIVE AND DRIVE! SERIOUSLY, DON’T!
Happy new year Michelle. I hope 2013 is even more successful for you! I totally agree with getting off the iphone and focusing on what's in front of you. Seems sometimes that real life is just passing on by while we're all glued to our phones.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Francene! Hope 2013 is great to you as well!
DeleteWhat a great year for you! Happy New Year~ here's to reporting more successes this time next year :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, and same goes to you!
DeleteHappy New Year, Michelle. I hope 2013 is everything you dream it will be.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amaleen! Happy New Year to you too, friend!
DeleteYou forgot one accolade - one for yourself for helping so many folks like myself with critiques. Thank you for your insight!
ReplyDeleteYou've inspired me to even start a blog of my own!
That said, I look forward in getting your thoughts on my current project when I send you my query letter.
Thank you again Michelle! It's nice to have a friend that has trodden the path we slog and understands us - even if that friend is a virtual one.
Aww shucks. Thanks so much for saying that, R.K. So glad to have inspired you :)
DeleteLol, I have the opposite problem. I have to make myself embrace the phones, etc.
ReplyDeleteOmg I can't stoooop!
DeleteWhat an awesome year! 2013 will be even better :) If that's possible... haha
ReplyDeleteI can only hope every year to come doesn't pale in comparison to this awesome one. :)
DeleteWhat a year it has been!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe all that happened in only 12 months. Sincerest congratulations, what accomplishments!
I notice that your plan does not include babies - just pointing that out :)
Also, I have come back from a hiatus to only THREE new posts? Are you busy with work and a toddler or something ???
I know, Paulina, I've been sadly behind in blog posts. I'm ashamed of myself. I will do better.
Delete:)
I just noticed this blog post now. Late to the party! Anyway, congrats on the most successful year ever! And thanks for the shout out too!
ReplyDeleteWhat an AWESOME year, Michelle! I'm so glad I met you during it. Your feedback and critique has been invaluable. Thank you so much for it. I look forward to giving more exciting news in 2013 (like querying! blah blah).
ReplyDeleteCannooooot wait to read HEXED and its sequel TO BE HEXED OR NOT TO BE HEXED:THAT IS THE QUESTION (bahaha....kidding). :)