Farewell 2009, Hello 2010!

I honestly can't believe today is the last day of 2009. This time last year, I thought 2009 would draaaaaag by, what with it being the "in between year." 2008 was awesome, obviously, what with dreams coming true and all that, and 2010 is the year HEX HALL finally hits shelves, so going into 2009, I was already impatient for it to be over. "Eh," I thought. "Who needs this extra dumb year where nothing will happen??"

Um...I did. I needed this year SO BAD, y'all. When I look back at 2009, I think it was the year I really became an author. I was always a writer, but this was the year that I learned how to edit a book. I always knew how to self-edit, and I'd done some editing work with Agent Holly before HEX HALL went on submission, but that's a whole different ballgame from getting your ENTIRE MANUSCRIPT with notes, and suggestions, and comments.

It was also the year I wrote a book that was already under contract, which was a very different experience from writing a book just for me!

It was the year I had to deal with the EXTREME SCARINESS that is tax season for the self-employed. And...yeah, let's just not talk about that!

This was also the year I discovered the wonder that is having writer friends. Chantel Acevedo, Josh Berk, Kay Cassidy, Becca Fitzpatrick, Irene Latham, and Lindsey Leavitt have all filled my life- and my inbox!- which so much hilarity and support and wisdom, and I am so thankful for every single one of them! (Yes, even Berk, much as it pains me to admit it!)

2009 was the year I finally started figuring out what it meant to be a full-time writer, and how to best balance family and career. I think I only succeeded in maintaining that balance 50% of the time, so I know that's something I need to work on in 2010.

And I'm so, so grateful that I got to work on these things and start figuring all of this out BEFORE my first book came out! Thanks to this year, I'm going into 2010 with a better sense about me, the books I want to write, and the publishing industry as a whole. I wouldn't trade that for anything! I just think that's an important thing to remember, especially since the publishing business can feel soooo slooooow. As much as we might want to wish the time away, sometimes we NEED that time.

And that's probably as deep as I'm ever going to get on this blog. ;-)

I wish everyone a safe and happy New Year! Will be back on January 2 to count down the last TWO MONTHS until the world gets a little Hexier!