Happy New Year!
2018 was a good year to me. I did a lot of things, learned a lot of things, and made strides toward my dreams. Before I get to the New Year, I want to take a few paragraphs to reflect on the good things I’m grateful for today.
2018: Personal Accomplishments
This year was big in a whole lot of ways, but here are the non-writing-related things I did that were huge steps in my life:
- Got married to the love of my life!!!
- Visited Iceland (amazing)
- Moved out of my apartment
- Grew the family from 1 cat, 1 dog, to 2 cats and 1 dog
- Learned a new (and sometimes difficult) lab technique at work, as well as a slew of other work-related accomplishments
I’d say those are some pretty significant changes! And every single one of them has been worth every difficulty and expense involved. I am happy, I am excited for life, and I am ready to continue my personal story and growth!
2018: Writing Accomplishments
Besides all the changes and accomplishments in my personal life, I’ve made some big steps and changes in my writing life. Here are the highlights:
- Finished setting up my home office/writing space/library
- Opened a freelance editing business! And named it Paper Cranes
- Started an author page on Facebook
- Started an email list
- Hired a developmental editor for the first time (Thanks, K. Johnson!)
- Set a publishing date for This Cursed Flame!
- Entered a Snow White retelling contest (and placed as a finalist)
- Got some of the most amazing feedback on a short story that I have ever gotten
- Had my first paying client for Paper Cranes
- Found a cover designer for This Cursed Flame
Honestly, I never imagined when I started 2018 that I would do any of these things, other than the Snow White contest. I didn’t plan on opening an editing business. I didn’t plan on independently publishing This Cursed Flame. But I found over the course of the year that these are the things I needed to live out my dreams of writing full-time. I’m not there yet, but I am that much closer!
Looking Ahead: 2019 Resolutions
And now it is time for the traditional New Year’s post: my (writing) resolutions for 2019! I don’t have many, but I think they are big this time around. Now, each of these resolutions also has its own set of smaller goals and milestones, so to keep it simple, I will use umbrella resolutions to describe this year’s goals.
- Publish This Cursed Flame
- Start editing the next This Curse books
- Enter a Rapunzel retelling contest with “Of the Clouds” (or publish it, if it is not accepted)
- Rewrite, edit, and query Sea of Broken Glass
- Complete at least rough drafts for a winter fairy tale retelling anthology comprised of four short stories
As authors, and as dreamers, it is important to take time now and then to step back and think about your progress, your goals, and how to accomplish your dreams. In fact, I remember reading a study years ago which found that people who took the time to set goals were more likely to achieve them. I encourage you to come up with a few goals of your own for your New Year, whether they are writing-related or just for life. It’s sure to give you a boost to start out your year. 🙂
If you like, I’d love to hear what your goals or resolutions are for 2019. Let’s talk in the comments!
Here’s to a great New Year. ❤ Selina
Selina J. Eckert 