Goodbye Janked Up Year

I hope I never see another one like you. I've learned a lot about myself this year professionally, as well as personally. Some things have been good, some, not so much.

I've learned that you can't trust everyone. I've had to push the release dates of three books back over and over again, to the point that I'm starting to look totally unprofessional. Why did this happen you ask? Because I trusted a fellow writer to edit my work on a timely basis. Didn't happen. There was always a reason why she couldn't work on the edits. I understand that people have their own projects to complete, families to care for...I get it...I really do. But when you volunteered to do the job and months have passed and I hear nothing, I start to worry. The sad part of the story is, I had to call and inquire about my manuscripts before I learned that she wouldn't be able to complete the edits until April, possibly May. A phone call would have been nice. It would have been the professional thing to do. So now I'm back to stage one. I need to get two of the books up before the end of January. I refuse to change another release date. So, joy of joys, it's back to self-editing. Meh.

I lost my mom. My mother passed away this past June. I cannot put into words what this has done to my life. She left us so unexpectedly. She was living in a rehab center at the time because she'd recently broken her arm and hip in a nasty fall. We were all expecting her to come home within the month, and then out of the blue she had a massive stoke. There was nothing the doctors could do for her. She lived for less than a week in a drug-induced coma. Losing my mother has changed me. I can't seem to get past it. I still talk to her everyday and beg God to give her back to me. I didn't realize what important roll she played in my adult life until she was gone. If it hadn't been for the support I received from my friend Kami, I wouldn't be as sane as I am now.

I severed ties with my father. I've never had a good relationship with my dad, but when my mother passed it took a nose dive. My entire family behaved like circus people while my mother was in Hospice care. And the funeral wasn't much better. My father actually stood there and watched them poor the dirt on my mother's coffin – like he was making sure she was buried and out of his way for good. We spoke a few time after her death, but it was my mother's love of family that held everyone together, and after she was gone I no longer felt the need to try.


For the new year I hope to...

Get two books out in January. I know this is going to be a challenge, but I refuse to change another release date. I also plan to get the entire Breeders series out before April.

Start writing the Daughter's of the Biomes series and The Coven Academy Trilogy.

Complete the paperwork that will make Scene Girl and Video Boy mine and mine alone. Meaning there will be no one else that has a say in how they are raised. They will finally be my responsibility. This was extremely important to my mother. She needed to know that they would always be in a safe place. There is a long story behind these actions and I would prefer not to air it here as Scene Girl does check out the blog from time to time. If you know us, you know the story. And if you are a reader and really curious, you can shoot me an email. I've always said my life is pretty much an open book, and I stand by that statement.

Stop apologizing for my love of Big Time Rush. 'Nuff said.

Stop apologizing for my love of Luke Perry and my obsession with the WWE.

Refrain from drinking so much coffee. Perhaps three pots a day is a bit much.

Decide what type of relationship I'm looking for...or if I even want one at this point in my life. There are times when I think I do, but I'm not sure. I can be out with friends and see a guy that I think is really gorgeous, but if said guy approaches me, I throw up a wall. My friends say I have this stay the hell away from me vibe that I give off to men. Commitment issues much.

Eat more chocolate. You can never have too much chocolate.

Spend more time volunteering. I didn't give nearly enough of my time this past year.

Go to church more. I feel like I have a deep relationship with God, but I haven't found a church where I feel comfortable and accepted.

Have more fun. I miss skateboarding and I plan to get back to it this year.

Get a new car. I have been without a car for the past few months and it is driving me insane!