The year 2010 has been one of many highs and lows. My family dealt with my ninety-one-year-old grandmother’s traumatic surgery and recovery, and I continued to battle horseback riding fears. I also injured my arm in a horse-related accident and am still trying to regain full use of it. Despite the negatives that came with this year, I achieved two lifelong goals: cantering my horse in a field fear free and publishing a novel. Laura Daley, my dear friend, horse trainer, and expert on fear-related issues, helped me to overcome my riding fears, and believe it or not, that helped me overcome my publishing fears. So, thank you, Laura. You changed my life.
Publishing a novel has been so much more amazing than I imagined. I just thought I’d have a nice paperback and that would be it. But Charlotte Collins has introduced me to so many wonderful new friends. Writing is kind of a social media all its own. And I must thank all my new friends for reading my book and for sending me encouraging words about it. You guys make me think I could do it again.
And ’tis also the time of year to contemplate New Year’s Resolutions. I don’t really like to make resolutions. I’m not the UN. I do, however, have some goals that I’d like to achieve.
- Finish selling the 1,000 copies of Charlotte Collins, which was the original goal for the book.
- Finish and prepare my second Jane Austen sequel for publication on July 15, 2011.
- Polish my mystery novel.
- Finish the first draft of Riding Fear Free with Laura Daley and explore publication options.
- Continue my Fear Free journey with my horse Darcy by keeping up my trail riding and having fun.
- Perhaps head down the path to being able to earn a decent living on (mostly) writing. (Hey, you never know. It could happen. And now is the time to dream big, right?)
So what are your plans for 2011?