January: In launching Entwined Publishing I was able to catapult my writing hobby into a career. I met a lot of wonderful people and made some amazing connections. Since then, I've learned so many things so fast that at times my head was both spinning and swimming in the new knowledge.
February: I celebrated my tenth year of marriage and was surprised that someone like El Senor has actually put up with me for this long.
April: I e-published my debut novel The Ocean. It was amazing at the support I received. I still remember how nervous I was. I was literally up all night freaking out wondering if I could really do this. When you create something, whether it's a novel, or art, music, or anything, you worry if it will be accepted, especially when you put all of your heart into it. That's how I felt.
May: I learned a lot about promoting. I made a lot of connections, and learned about print formatting. I'm surprised that I didn't get a bald spot on the side of my head from all of my hair grips of frustration.
June: I e-published Analogy of my Heart a collection of poetry that I had written from high school to present. I don't really talk a lot about this small book. I wrote poetry when I had difficulty working through my emotions, but this book is close to my heart also. Lyrics and poetry really are my first loves.
July: I printed The Ocean. My Grandmother bought ten copies immediately, and began passing them out to all of her friends. I was also able to share my book with those who didn't have e-readers.
August: My mother lost her battle with cancer. I didn't mention it publicly, because it was a personal matter. I mention it now because it has really impacted my life more than I thought it would. My mother and I weren't close, and she lived so reckless and carefree that I honestly thought she would out live everyone, even me. I find myself grieving for a mother and a relationship that I had already mourned for years, and thought that I had moved past. Love is blind, and still hurts when it is severed.
September: I prepared for the first simultaneous e-publish/print publish for Generations. Q7 Associates put together the covers for Generations. I really enjoyed working with them this year on this project and others, and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future. It was another stressful time, though moved smoother than the first print formatting. I gained confidence realizing that the more I do this the faster and easier it will become. I also began learning more about creating covers.
November: I focused on writing. I wrote a large portion of Becoming a Butterfly. It is crazy how your personal life can affect you professionally and vice versa. I learned that lesson, and had to let go to move on.
December: Family, it is the most important commodity you can possess. In the end friends come and go, but your family will be with you, they know you better than anyone else, and they love you in spite of yourself.
