It’s been a huge year for me. They say that we grow the most when we’re outside our comfort zone. I think I’ve grown a lot this year.

2013 was my biggest year ever as a published author, with Reality Check being my first small press novel, published through Hydra Publications, followed by Seventh Star Press releasing the first two Road Ghosts novels, Four ’til Late and Sinking Down.

It’s also been a big year for me creatively. I wrote a Road Ghosts short story, “Spectral Delivery”, and another Skye novel, Restless Spirit (my 6th “win” at NaNoWriMo). I competed five times in the Iron Writer Challenge, producing five flash stories in the process. I’ve also brewed a “magical” beer based on one described in Blue Spirit (at Red Tash‘s suggestion), and have an Indiana honey mead that’s waiting to be bottled. Mmmm. I’ve had fun making my terrible whiteboard doodles on Wednesdays for your amusement.  I even made a silly little TARDIS duct tape hat. 🙂

In family news, my stepdaughter graduated high school and started at IUPUI. Amy continues to get praise from her clients (which is no small feat, since she works for the Indiana Department of Revenue in bill collection!).  My cats are still crazy and adorable. I was sad to lose my stepdad, and we had some other scary moments toward the end of the year.

I was far too social this year, having attended more conventions than I ever have before. Most were networking successes, some saw some in-person paperback book sales (but I stink at sales, I really dislike it). Don’t get me wrong, I do love connecting with old and new friends at conventions, it’s just draining to an introvert like me, and going to so many this year was exhausting.

New friends came into my life this year, one or two have become important, close friends even, which is always a wonderful surprise to me. I’ve overall been more at home being myself than I ever have, even though I’ve had some panic attacks and setbacks, I’m sturdier on a daily basis. This is a very good thing.

I’ve also been much, much more open about who I am, with far more people, with my more private side. This has been my year to expand the inner circle and share my inner self with anyone who calls me friend. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, feel free to ask. If you’re “in the know”, then THANK YOU for all the love and support you’ve given me as I have spread my wings wider and freer this year.

Looking toward 2014, I can only hope for more success in making my writing dreams come true, and to continue to be surrounded by friends and love. I expect to have at least three books published this year, and likely will be releasing a bunch of short stories as well. I have ambitious projects afoot at my day job that promise to be outside my comfort zone. I need to keep at that, in my day job, my writing career, and in my own personal development, because if we live in the bubble of the comfort zone, we stagnate.

So here’s to being just uncomfortable enough to grow and thrive in 2014.  Cheers!