I learned quite a bit in 2008 that’s made me open my eyes not only to myself but to the things around me.  I’ve become a happier person for it which is always a good thing.  For many years I was very pessimistic (I blame Walmart and probably will for quite some time, not to mention living in New York, that’s an acclimate or die type of town and I firmly believe you have to harden to live there otherwise you won’t survive) and while I still can’t seem to escape some of that pessimism, it’s greatly reduced.  There’s no reason for it and I only brought more of it on myself.  Well, aside from my optimistic improvement, here are a few things I’ve learned over the course of the year:

I have more than one book in me. I think this is a very legitimate fear for many authors.  They’re afraid that they write their first novel and there’ll be nothing left.  Finite.  Done.  I never really feared that because I was confident in turning my ideas into novels but I confirmed that confidence by writing two separate first drafts for YA novels this year with at least one sequel for each brewing, not to mention two other novels/series in the works.  I still have editing ahead of me but that doesn’t take away the fact that I have two completed drafts under my belt.

I’m a young adult writer. Never even considered it until I started writing it.  Or, actually, stopped ignoring the inkling to write in that persuasion.  When I first started writing Diamond Crier, I wanted it to be “traditional” fantasy, darker, high stuff that the “good guys” wrote.  When you’re walking bind in the area, you have to start somewhere Might as well aim high, right?  Because that’s smart.   Then I started reading fantasy and really started listening to what I was writing.  Four and a half chapters in I gave up forcing it and let it write itself.  Oh how thankful for that I am.  The voice is me.  The tone is me.  It’s what I’d read.  I’m so glad I listened to myself.

California is where I want to be. I traveled there twice this year and it just makes me want to relocate myself out there faster.  I’m really looking forward to not having spring allergies anymore.

I really am lucky when it comes to jobs. Not many people interview for one position and get a much better one completely by happenstance.  For that I am grateful and because of that I need to be a little more determined in my job.  Really, I think I am but it’s within reason.  I don’t feel the need, nor do I have the need right now, to be in early and stay late every night.  The work I do when I’m there is proof enough that I’m earning my keep and I do put in extra time when it’s needed.  But I’m feeling, not competition but more like self-imposed pressure.  I get through my work quickly and therefore don’t normally have a backlog of stuff whereas the other two in the same position do.  I always feel like I’m not doing enough and should be doing more but, from what I understand, it’s the nature of the position.  They’re of the type that they’d rather you take it slower and get it right than just jump head first and screw up constantly.  I’m conflicted but I’m grateful.  Especially in this economic time, and considering I work in the insurance industry, I need to thank whatever god may exist that I’m gainfully employed.

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