Sometimes, you just gotta look back. I know that you, my dear readers and friends, may be getting tired of my reflections, but I can't help myself. I have lots of email loops, and I've been steadily announcing my sale on them. And then I see things like this:
My sale on the Golden Network news page.
Southern Magic's scrolling Congratulations banner on the home page.
My NAME in the sidebar on the I Heart Presents site as an author!!
My name on the PAN authors section of the Heart of Dixie!
And I'm attending the Southern Magic luncheon in a little over a week as an author.
It just keeps going, and it's so exciting. There are new loops to join, new webpages to be a part of, and I'm excited about it. So where do the reflections come in?
Well, one of the comments that keeps popping up from people is “What a year you've had!” And I stop and think, “Yeah, I guess I have.” Because for me it seems longer, like I've been working for it for a long time. (I have, and the writers know this, though it's still been an incredible year.)
So where was I one year ago at this time? I was a PRO member with NO submissions out. I was trying to finish my mss for the Golden Heart, and the Presents contest wasn't even on my radar yet. I was like so many of you, slogging along and working hard and hoping to get somewhere soon. I remember that my husband said something to me about selling in 2008 — and I said no, it wouldn't happen that fast because I didn't even have a submission out. I had to submit, and then wait forever, and then maybe sell. It might happen in 2009, I said. If I was lucky.
If someone had told me I'd have sold a book a year later, and that it would be in a line I wasn't currently writing, I'd have scoffed. But there is a lesson here.
Be open to possibilities, believe in yourself, have realistic expectations, and don't stop trying. Because you never know where the path will open up and when your year will become amazing.
Tomorrow, I'm blogging at We Write Romance. I'll remind you to stop by.
What are your goals for 2009? Are you entering the Golden Heart? Or is it one of your goals to enter next year? If you aren't a writer, what goal do you have for the coming year?
Lynn,
I love hearing about your year–and your DH’s belief that 2008 would be the year for you. Cool.
You mentioned changes. Here’s another you might want to make. Your “About Me” in your sidebar doesn’t reflect your new status as a contracted author awaiting the debut of her “firstborn.”
Gotta tell the world your good news in all the places you can as often as you can. You’ve worked hard for this. Enjoy the ride!
Continue to enjoy the glow. All kinds of fun stuff is still to come (and I should know — I still have lots of fun firsts happening!)
This time last year, I had a full out, a request for a full that I hadn’t finished, and I had entered two ms in the GH. I think two books in the hopper and one in progress is a pretty good change overall. 🙂
What a difference a year can make!
Lots can happen in a year, and you deserve all those happenings.
My 2009 goal is to take the very rough draft I’m sure my NaNo book will be and whip it into something worthy of submitting.
You’re such an inspiration, Lynn! I’m so glad your efforts have been rewarded so richly. 🙂
Thanks for sharing and for putting things in perspective.
Plans? Finish this book and finish another while learning to believe in myself no matter what my circumstances are. 😉
Keli, you are right! I need to fix that. I’ve been so swamped with OS (other stuff) that I’ve neglected to rewrite the about me. 🙂
PC, the firsts are so neat, aren’t they? It’s a shift in paradigm, and it takes a little while to get used to it. There’s the glow — and the niggling worry. You’ve had an awesome year, too!!!
SP, yep. It’s wild.
PM, I’m rooting for you during NaNo! I know this is a big goal for you and I want you to get it done. 🙂
Kathy, absolutely. Keep writing. Finish one mss, start another. Don’t doubt yourself. That’s a recipe for trouble.
Hi, Lynn!
Wow! Reading your reflections put into perspective what all happens to a new author once they receive THE CALL. It’s nice to have friends and other readers to share the news with…
See you at WeWriteRomance.com tomorrow!
Heather R.
Hi, Heather! I can’t wait to have my post at the We Write Romance site. I hope everyone likes it!
Yes, so much happens after that CALL. The keys to the inner sanctum arrive, as it were. And then there are the blood oaths, etc. *g*
Thanks Lynn… this was really, really inspiring!
My goals are to polish my current manuscript, submit it and write another – oh and I’m having a baby somewhere in there, so one major goal is to get more sleep with it than I did with the last two 🙂
Rach!
Wow, Rachael! You do have a full plate! Congrats on the impending baby. May you also give birth to a fabulous manuscript. 🙂
Lynn,
Thanks for the great post. (I know, I keep saying that, but I do mean it.) It is nice to know that persistence and hard work pays off. From what I have read, you busted your butt writing for this book. Great job.
I am entering the Golden Heart this year with 2 series contemps and entering more contests next year. I only did two this year (missed finaling in one by three points).
Still working on my 2009 goals, but I think the main thing I need to do is just submit.
Keep twittering. I enjoy reading the posts.
Barbara