Monday, December 30, 2013

An Amazing Year

Here we are again at the end of another year and the start of a new one. I dug up my 2013 writing goals to see how I fared. I only had two this past year:

1) Revise my Nano book
2) Draft one book

I'm happy to say I did great on both counts. That Nano book I revised is my most favorite story I've ever written. My agent loved it, but there are still a couple details I need to fine tune so it's not submission ready yet...but almost. And I drafted TWO other books. Yay! One is a YA sci-fi that involves herbs (ooh-lala) and the other is REMAKE 2. Writing a sequel was a new experience for me--tough but satisfying. I've yet to revise that first draft, but I'm very excited for the world to read that story. Of course 2013 was also amazing because I got a book deal!


2014 is going to be quite the year for me. I'm attending All The Conferences: LTUE, Storymakers, WIFYR (where I'm talking on a panel as well), and most likely BEA. I'm not too worried about my writing; I've got a large stack of novel starts and ideas waiting patiently to be written. And I'm sure to continue reading every spare minute I have. Of course, the BIG NEWS is the debut of my very first book with a launch and signings and everything that goes with it. Yipee! This year is going to be amazing, so my one and only writing goal for 2014 is this:

Enjoy every moment.

I tend to get caught up in the busyness of moving from one thing to the next, so this year I want to remember to enjoy the journey and be grateful for every part of it. After all, I've worked really hard to get this far, might as well milk it for all the happy, right?

How did you do on your 2013 goals? What's ahead for you in 2014? I hope you all have a wonderful new year!

24 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Definitely enjoy all the moments, as you only get one first book!. Ilima, here's hoping 2014 just rocks for you.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Love your 2014 writing goal! I hope you achieve it! :)

Patrick Stahl said...

How does your YA sci-fi story involve herbs? I have a fantasy novelette in progress that heavily uses herbs, for magic purposes.

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

Congratulations on a awesome year, Ilima! And I think your goal for next year is great! You deserve to enjoy every moment! :)

Suzi said...

Great job on making those goals! I like the new goal too. 2014 will be an exciting year for you!

And fyi: I get to go to Storymakers this year, a can't wait to meet all these great bloggers I've been following. You too!)

Unknown said...

Congratulations! I am so happy for you. Relish every second of it. You earned it all and then some.

I might have to check out story makers too in 2014. It's been a goal of mine for sometime. Hmmm....

Sara B. Larson said...

That's a great goal and one I need to remember right now!!

Donna K. Weaver said...

Me, too, about enjoying the journey. I'm going to be a lot more reasonable about what I can accomplish this year. Otherwise, it's not fun anymore. I have enough pressure in my day job. :D

Morgan said...

2013 WAS a fabulous year for you!!!! And 2014 will be amazing too. I adore you, Ilima--and I can't wait to see what other successes will come your way! :)

Jay Noel said...

2013 was quite the year for you, wasn't it. And didn't you move earlier in the year too???

Hoping 2014 is even awesome-er for you.

Tracey Joseph said...

Congrats on having an awesome year! You're going to be quite busy next year with all of those conferences. I haven't been to one yet. Someday. I hope you have a wonderful 2014.

As for me, happiness and health are all I could ever ask for.

Emily R. King said...

Well done, Ilima. 2014 is going to be an epic year for you!

Nicole said...

Sounds like 2014 will be an absolutely amazing year for you!! Enjoy every moment. :)

Leandra Wallace said...

I can't wait to keep up w/you in 2014 and see all the fun!

Jessie Humphries said...

I can't agree with you more, 2014 is going to be totally amazing. And we are going to be seeing a lot of each other. Yay! Let's be debut bff's, mkay?

Michelle D. Argyle said...

2013 didn't end up at all like I thought it would, but such is life. It turned out okay in the end. I am looking forward to 2014 and the plans I've made. It's definitely all about the journey. Sounds like you have some great stories under your belt, Ilima!

jaybird said...

Enjoy every second of your success!! I'm so excited for you. Can't wait to hear all about it. Also, I hope you will be doing some signings in my neck of the woods! I'd love to come out and show you some support/love.

Happy New Year to you and your family Ilima!! Wishing you a happy, healthy, blessed 2014!

Jolene Perry said...

YOU ROCK!!!

Also...

SEE YOU AT STORYMAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woot!!

Shallee said...

You know what? I think I'm borrowing your totally awesome 2014 goal. Go Ilima-- 2014's going to be great!

Christine Rains said...

Woo-hoo! What a great year. Here's to another awesome year! :)

Crystal Collier said...

You've had quite an eventful and exciting year, Ilima. I'm so excited for you and can't wait to shout out your great news, as soon as you have dates for us. =)

Cathrina Constantine said...

Happy New Year,Ilima! Sounds like 2013 was great, pray that 2014 is over-the-top!

Cortney Pearson said...

Your blog is snowing!! I love it! Hooha for you on finishing your goals! I'm so excited to read your book when it comes out! :D

Kathryn Purdie said...

What a year you've had. And what a year you WILL have. I'm just happy to hang onto your coattails. :-)