It’s that time again already . . . reflecting on the past year. In preparation, I read my blog posts from last December. 2014 was rather crappy, and I looked forward to 2015 being a lot better. And the truth is . . .
IT WAS AMAZING!!!
It’s been a magical year!
But not for the reasons I anticipated. This time last year I was still really focused on writing. The last installment of my YA trilogy, 18 Thoughts, was getting ready for release, and I anticipated an increase in sales and a fulfillment in my professional life I’d never experienced before.
Except even though I had more book sales this past year than in my previous two years combined, that fulfillment never came. Instead I felt empty and unmotivated in the area of writing. So after my media blitz, I took a break. In the past, if I didn’t have my daily writing time, it’d send me into a FULL DOWNWARD SPIRAL, eating cookies in a corner, nearly ODing on sugar, and making horrible Chewbacca howling noises. Probably not a healthy place to be. But I didn’t write again until mid-July, and then I finished a stand alone novel in a month. In August, school was back in session, leaving no time to edit as I taught eighth grade English for the first time. Maybe I’ll find editing time before 2015 ends (I do have 2 weeks off starting December 18th, but there’s also Star Wars, and NOTHING will take that away from me).
Sooo maybe I won’t.
And that’s okay. I’ve been so focused on writing, writing, writing since 2009 . . . from trying to get a book deal to getting a book deal to honoring that book deal and all it entails. This year, I finally felt like I had my life back. I’ve spent way more time with my wonderful family. I even made my 15yo daughter smile sometimes instead of scowl at me. So yes, this year has been a miracle.
How about you? Any surprises in your life this year? (Good, I hope, not like an unexpected incoming FaceTime or discovering your Starbucks app is empty. There’s nothing more terrifying than that.)
This has been a post for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, the brainchild of Head Ninja, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Feel free to join us the first Wednesday of every month! Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Jamie Ayres 
I published a short story this year, and have been working on different titles. Spent a lot of time with my grandchildren and grandparents. Joined an in depth Bible study.
In 2016, I plan to write and edit. Publish, maybe.
Sounds like you had a great year, too 🙂
You know what Jamie? It’s okay that you took some time off. It paid off for you in your relationships and in your creativity. Heck, you wrote a new book in a month! I know how everyone says you have to write every day, but sometimes we also need to rest our creative minds. Especially when you’re doing so much to promote your work, which you do, you need some time to refill your cup with love and laughter and light. I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling wonderful again!
Thanks, Suzanne. You really have a gift for encouragement . . . thanks for always stopping by!
Getting your life back is just as important! We all need time off.
And if you sold the most books ever this year, that’s awesome.
Thanks, buddy! Hope you have great sales with your 99cent deal today!
My book came out in February and my next book doesn’t come out until next August, so it’s been a long year of not really having to do book promo stuff this year. I’ve been mostly writing. I love having books out…but honestly, I’d rather be writing than promoting, so 2015 has been an awesome year!
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
I’d rather do just about anything than promote myself, lol.
Yay to those sales! And yay to the break! Living in a writer’s cave isn’t really living. We need to breathe and see our kids before they’re all grown up–Lol! this is something I’m noticing this year.
Yesss! I swear, we just brought our 15yo home from the hospital YESTERDAY!! hahaha
That’s great you spent more time with your family this year. Your family and you deserve it. I’ve been going through lots of major life changes this year and feel like I’m finally getting to the good ones and that 2016 will be a good year.
Glad to hear that, Natalie ❤
Sounds like a pretty great year all around. Nothing to sneeze at. 🙂 And here’s to an even better 2016 (hopefully with even more smiles and fewer scowls!)
IWSG December
*fingers crossed* ~Cheers
I want to try Chewbacca howling. It sounds wonderful. I’ll wait until the neighbours are sleeping. Can’t wait to see how they handle it. Okay, maybe not. But I’m just so happy for you, Jamie. Things are going to get better and better.
You are tooooo funny!!!!
You’re putting me to shame, Jamie. A book in a month?! I couldn’t even get all the way through an outline. I hope to, though, by the end of the year. So there’s that.
Well done!
My publishing year actually went much better since I decided to knuckle down and self-publish. Because almost as soon as I decided to put together a budget, things fell into place for me that meant I could pretty much publish for free.
Now I’m working into prepping a LOT of books for publishing next year.
You did a lot in your personal life, and that’s just as important as writing. I feel like this year has been mostly revising and editing, although I did squeeze in two drafts.
Congrats on a great year! It’s nice that although you didn’t do too much writing, you still had a really fulfilling year. Family time and happy kids are really important. Here’s to a great 2016!
Sometimes we all need a small break to regroup and let our minds rest, but you’ve accomplished so much and done so well, so that’s a huge thing to celebrate:)
Interesting. Stopping by from the Blog hop – Merry Christmas!
Did you hear that Star Trek Beyond’s 1st trailer is showing AHEAD of Star Wars on Dec 18th? I had to be the one to break the news, hehe. Merry Christmas
My 2015 has been pretty awesome, too 🙂 I have learned a lot though, in the same vein as you are talking, about not feeling fulfilled by things you thought would fulfill you. Having released my first book and signed with an agent, I realized that though those things are WAY exciting, things just keep plugging along pretty much the same afterwards, LOL. So, lots of awesome, and lots of learning.