Saturday 4 January 2014

A new beginning - and lots of endings too

Well here we go again. Another year has gone. Another new one is just beginning.

Seems like just yesterday when I was farewelling 2012 and ushering in 2013. Now 2013 has sailed off into the sunset while 2014 is rapidly taking over.

What a year 2013 was. I feel like I've barely stopped to catch a breath. Work has been busy, but manageable and rewarding. I've managed to keep my job for another year (which always feels like an achievement) so there'll be a roof over my head and food on the table for now.

This year has been especially memorable as I managed to fulfill one of my long-standing dreams by taking my family overseas. And we survived, and we're still talking to each other, and we actually had a really great time. Maybe we'll even do it again some time - who knows?

So onto the writing (what's a post in Dag-Lit Central without some sort of reference, however obtuse). Given that my number one goal was to have another title out this year, I guess I didn't quite make it. However, I don't look at this year as a failure, writing-wise. In fact, I have to say I think it's been a particularly successful one for a number of reasons:
  1. While I wasn't able to get Neville #3 (Scrawling) out as I had hoped, it's very close to being ready - just needs one more round of editing and a final proofread. I figure I'd rather take the time to get it right, rather than rush to meet an artificial deadline.
  2. I've made substantial progress on my detective thriller. Actually managed to get two complete rewrites done on it, and I'm very pleased with how it's progressing. I think there's a good chance it could be out in the next 12 months too.
  3. I signed a contract with Evolved Publishing to release my first picture book, Thomas and the Tiger Turtle. It should be out in May. 
  4. I also signed with Booktrope to re-release Magnus Opum. Will keep you informed on a release date for that. 
So all in all, a highly successful year I believe. Seems like lots of projects coming to fruition. Which means I need to find some new things to work on.
I'm thinking I might give Neville a well-earned rest. One thing I'm keen to look at is working on more picture books. I also have a couple of other projects in the works:
  1. I'm thinking about another social satire/fable type of thing like Flidderbugs - but maybe dinosaurs instead of insects this time (I've always loved dinosaurs).
  2. I also have my YA fantasy story thingy to progress. I finished a first draft back in 2012 so am ready to get back into it. It needs a lot of work.
So lots of stuff planned for this year. Hope your 2014 is a great one too.