Reflecting on a Year in Writing
Well, folks, in just three days, I’ll be turning 54! I’m excited about it. A lot has happened since my 53rd birthday, with so many achievements to celebrate and lessons learned along the way.
Publishing and Writing
Where to start when reflecting on a year in writing? Well, one of the biggest highlights of the past year was publishing the final installment in the first Bodacious Creed series, Bodacious Creed and the San Francisco Syndicate. It required a lot of perseverance and dedication, but the satisfaction of getting the book finished, published, and in the hands of readers is priceless. The process, as always, had its challenges, especially tying up all loose ends while introducing new characters and elements. The response from readers has been fantastic.
As one project concluded, another began. I embarked on writing the next Creedverse novel, Anna, Daughter of Creed. Juggling events that coincide with those in Bodacious Creed and the Jade Lake and Bodacious Creed and the San Francisco Syndicate, has been tricky but enjoyable. It’s a puzzle that has stretched my abilities as a writer in a way that I find incredibly exciting.
Story Bundle
Another huge milestone was having Bodacious Creed: a Steampunk Zombie Western included in a Story Bundle that sold over 400 copies. As my first experience with Story Bundle, I was thrilled by the response. It was an honor to be in the company of other talented authors like K.C. Grifant and Tammy Salyer, and I can’t wait to collaborate with them more in the future.
World Anvil
Working with World Anvil has been an absolute game-changer for me this year. I’ve been able to develop and organize a vast and detailed bible for the Creedverse, complete with beautiful illustrations and in-depth articles. What I love the most about World Anvil is how it enhances my writing process, turning world-building into an interactive, engaging, and visually appealing task. How much information is in my series bible? So far, it’s at about 275,000 words!
I had the pleasure of meeting World Anvil creators, Janet Forbes and Demitris Havlidis, at the World Anvil meetup in Long Beach this year. The get-together was an exhilarating experience. They are amazing creators, entrepreneurs, and people who have shown me immense kindness and support. Our interactions have only deepened my appreciation for the platform and its impact on my work.
A particularly memorable moment was joining the World Anvil podcast to discuss “Creating Autistic Characters.” Being able to share my insights as an author, autism parent, and a neurodivergent person myself was a significant milestone. The questions we fielded from our audience, many of whom are also on the spectrum, were thoughtful and provocative. I’m glad to contribute to an important conversation about representation in fiction.
San Diego Comic Con 2023
This year also marked my first foray into the exciting world of San Diego Comic Con, where I had the honor of being part of a panel, “Welcome to the Weird West.” Besides the books, dice, and tees we bought, the real highlight was the wonderful people we met and the wealth of knowledge we shared. It was thrilling to see our fandom growing and having the opportunity to share my love for the weird west genre.
Reflecting on this past year, the lesson that resonates with me most is the power of perseverance. As long as I continue to write, to share my stories and welcome more people into the world of my fiction, I’ll keep moving forward in my career.
Onward to 54!
Looking ahead to my 54th year, I have big plans. I’ll be running a Kickstarter for “Anna, Daughter of Creed,” finishing and publishing the book, and starting “Anna, Sister of Doves.” I’m also looking forward to vending at LosCon in November and hopefully attending San Diego Comic Con in 2024. It’s going to be an exciting year, and I can’t wait to bring you all along for the journey.
As I stand on the precipice of another year of life, I am filled with gratitude for my experiences, for the incredible people I’ve met, and for the chance to do what I love—writing.
Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to many more shared stories, shared adventures, and shared years to come. Here’s to 54, and to the new adventures it brings!
“It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.” ~