Oh lord. 2018 is almost over, and I'm not handling this
whole "It's almost 2019" thing very well at all. Like…2019. 2001 used
to be far-flung future. People thought civilization would collapse in 2000. 2012?
Mayan calendar was up, remember?
When society has outstripped the dates of its science fiction,
that's something worth taking note of.
Me personally, I'm setting things up for the year to come,
even though it's a scary, freaky little year we're looking at jumping into. I
have a "planning party" with a couple fellow authors on the 30th
to get our years in some semblance of order. I'm looking at reading challenges
to get myself back into reading books. I'm even considering keeping Kindle
Unlimited, just so I have more books to read.
2018 was sort of an eye-opening year for me, at least from a
financial and business standpoint. See, I really floundered in 2017. I did
nothing. I finished 0 manuscripts, and most of my time was spent editing one
book for a publishing house that almost immediately went under after I turned
in my final edits (Yeah, that was super fun…). So 2018 was a lot of catch-up,
studying the market, writing books, etc.
And then in August, I broke my ankle. Right through the
thickest part of the tibia. It was a nasty break, too. Like, surgery was on the
table at the start, and it's having problems, so surgery is now back on the
table, joy of joys (I'm hoping to avoid it. Just got a bone growth stimulator,
so we'll see how that goes.). But that really laid me up. I was completely out
of commission for about a week, then mostly out of commission for another two
months after that (I was bound to crutches, even after I got my walking boot).
I mean, I'm still using a shower chair because I can't stand.
It really knocked me on my ass, is what I'm saying. And it
gave me a lot, lot, lot of sedentary time, just me and my laptop. While I'm not
here to say that breaking my ankle was a good thing—0/10, do not recommend—it
really did end up being helpful. I couldn't leave the house. I barely made it to
my podiatrist appointments because it was such a hassle some days.
It also meant that I got insurance, finally. And not leaving
the house meant I didn't really spend money, so suddenly I had a savings account.
A modest one, but I had one. Time locked up with my laptop meant I put my
fingers on the keyboard a hell of a lot. I started working on ads and cracking
the code on those a little more. Jesus, I mean, I sold my car and I was okay.
Like…I did things, and they didn't destroy my entire life. I got good at
things. I made strides, I made progress.
I also eventually made purchases that put a dent in my bank
account. Things like internet blocking software…and a shit ton of smelly candles
because I'm a classy bitch. But that's just it: they were a dent.
I feel like the aftershocks of my broken ankle actually did
help me out. At least my mental and emotional state. I ended up clicking a lot
of things into place that I wouldn't have otherwise, I don't think.
Okay, that was a lot of semi-esoteric rambling, but it boils
down to this in the real world: I'm moving. I have plans. I have new covers
purchased, new books ready to publish (I hope you like magic spilling into your
Criminal Minds.).
Things are moving, so watch out for me in 2019.
What are you doing in the coming year? What are you getting
prepared for? Are you in need of good TV shows to watch on Netflix, because I
also spent a lot of time with my eyes glued to that screen while recovering from my broken ankle.
Like…a lot.
Whatever you're doing, whatever you have in store, I hope
you kick 2019 in the ass. Let's climb that mountain, and I'll see you at the top.
Voss
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