Usually to celebrate the solstice, I go for a long walk and reflect on the last time the planet was in this position, but if I tried to do that today, I’d break my neck. We are in the midst of an ice storm predicted to rival the once we had in the late nineties that crippled the state for days. I had to put spiky things on my boots to go to my bird feeders, and that was as far as I went. The trees are already coated in ice, which is breathtakingly beautiful despite its danger. How often things work that way.
I’ve had a rough year, especially the second half, with too much death and sadness, both expected and unexpected. I don’t like change. But there have been lots of hugs and chocolate from family and friends, and that helps so much.
My writing life has been great, though. I’ve published four pieces — Night of Ceremony, which is a Varian and Josh story in the Notice series, about what happens when the dragons are caught in an earthquake. Silver Pearl, my tale of a young man recovering from the violence of his past with the help of a unicorn, Finaly Awakening, which is my charity short story offering for this year. And Webs, a story about the commander of a space ship who finds out how much he enjoys not being in charge of everything once in a while. All of my stories have gotten some wonderful reviews and I couldn’t be prouder of all of them.
I also had two stories accepted for next year — Haunted Halls, which is about a freshman who falls for the college ghost, and Another Healing, a novel which has been in the works for a long, long time and I am thrilled that it will finally be published.
I have worked with some wonderful familar editors and some wonderful new ones from three different presses, and I’ve learned a whole lot from all of them. I’ve been interviewed, I’ve been a guest on websites, I’ve hosted conversations, and I’ve made book trailers. And being published just gets more and more awesome.
Right now, I’m working on The Dragon and the Palm Tree, which is the next in the Notice series. Guess who’s going to Florida? It’s going to be hot!
Have a wonderful Solstice everyone! And thanks so much for reading my stories, and my blog, and inspiring me to write more.