Looking back at 2012

2012 was interesting, to say the least. I got a book contract in January, and my book, A Spicy Secret, #22 in the Annie’s Attic Mystery series, came out in December. (It’s still kinda surreal to see a book with
my name on it on my bookshelf.) (And also weird to have people ask for my autograph!)

At the urging of other writers, I started tweeting. I also started this blog; my first entry, Start at the Beginning, went live on August 11. In 2012, my blog got 2,200 views from 27 countries, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Turkey, India, Germany, Austria, and Australia. That may not seem like a lot, but for a newbie blogger, I find it thrilling. Thank you all for stopping by!!!

I published 55 posts, 26 of them artists/writers answering The Questions, and several more helping with book launches. In case you’re curious, the questions that received the most answers from my guests, with 12 each, were #5, What skill(s) do you wish you’d learned as a kid?; and #8, Your favorite book growing up? Your favorite book now?

For fun, I read 47 books, down from 61 in 2011. (Reading for work means less reading for fun.) My favorites were (in the order I read them):

• Circus Galacticus by Deva Fagan
• The Cabinet of Earths by Anne Nesbet, which I absolutely loved
• Three Men in a Boat (to say nothing of the Dog) by Jerome K. Jerome, a hilarious book first published in 1889
• Pilgrims Don’t Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm, who kindly answered The Questions
• How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran, the best feminist book I’ve ever read
• Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love & Life from “Dear Sugar” by Cheryl Strayed
• Crictor by Tomi Ungerer, a charming kids’ book from 1958 that my mother-in-law gave me
• For the Sender by Alex Woodward, which includes a CD of lovely, touching music
• Flame Spirals and Hoop Dancing: More Journeys through Nocturnal Photography by the amazing photographer Stu Jenks

I began to do more editing, and several books I’ve worked on have been released. (See what a few of the authors say about my editing.) It’s quite an honor and a privilege (and a lot of work!) to work with an author on their baby, and to help take it from good to brilliant. I can’t wait until those books are released so I can make ask their authors to be guests on here.

I met some wonderful people online, and am grateful for all the new connections I’ve made. I’m also grateful for the strengthening of some old relationships, and sad about a few that have fallen apart.

Despite all the good things happening in my life, I also found myself suffering from depression. It’s something I’ve struggled with as long as I can remember.

A friend posted this image —>
on Facebook, and I think it’s appropriate to share here. Plus, part of the mission of my blog is to Shine a Light into Dark Places, and this is one of mine.

Finally, a sincere THANK YOU to everyone who has been on this journey with me.

(Tomorrow I’ll tell you about my intentions for 2013.)