One Step At A Time...

'Put one foot in front of the other..." and so goes the song from the movie Santa Claus is Coming To Town.

That's the way I've approached my writing life.

At first it was all about the writing. I was thrilled when I realized I'd written two books in the fall of 2007 and two more in the first half of 2008. But now what? I'd been approached about a submission call; would one of my stories fit the criteria?

And so I screwed up my courage and sent them all out. One by one the rejections came. I had a snarky moment and sent one story out again. Lo and behold....it was accepted!

My goals for 2009 were simple: Get my contract, do my edits, promote it everywhere, and submit the second one, hopefully spacing the release dates several months apart. Didn't quite happen that way, but I did get another contract, in order to finish the year. I've also written two more books this past year, both sequels to the first published one. Again, didn't plan it that way, but I'm thrilled with the way everything came together.

So what's in store for 2010?
Besides filling out my cover art form and getting ready for edits again, I plan to finish a few more wips and submit more stories this year. Again, I'll be thrilled with two releases. I don't think I'm ready for the 'Book of the Month Club' yet.

As a reader, I hope the economy is better in the coming year, so I can offord to buy more books on my TBB list. And maybe buy an e-reader. I also want to attend more craft fairs in towns other than the ones I normally do, in order to reach a broader audience.

On the home front, Fall 2009 was non-stop nagfest. My oldest had several deadlines to meet, and I was constantly asking him:
-Are you signed up for the SAT's?
-Have you gotten your college application sent?
-Get cracking on your final Eagle Scout requirement!
-Send off your SAT scores!
-Turn in your BSA paperwork!
-Keep your appointment for your Senior Pictures!
-Turn in your National Honor Society paperwork!
-Any word from Purdue yet?
-Call the guidence offiice, concerning your chosen major!
-Humor your mother and go get fitted for a tuxedo if you intend to take your girlfriend to the dance.

This coming semester will be more of the same:
-Bring home the financial aid/scholorship papers so we can get them filled out and sent in.
-Send out the invitations to your Eagle ceremony, and pray we didn't pick a date that coincides with bad weather.
-Tell me who is on YOUR list for graduation announcements.
-You want to do what for Spring Break?
-Graduation

And for my daughter, she will be taking driver's ed next spring, which means taking her to get her permit and allowing her practice driving time. And if the youngest expresses interest in baseball, well there's another set of committments for us to juggle!

My hair might be completely gray by June.

Oh, and did I mention I'd like to attend RomantiCon next October?

To Sum Up:
Kenzie resolves to:
-write
-submit
-get one child off to college
-get another one to be a safe and responsible driver
-attend signings and at least one convention!

The Sprin