Skip to main content

End of 2018 Catch Up

The end (of 2018) is nigh and my promises to blog more regularly didn't come to fruition, yet again.  There was always an excuse not to blog - lack of time, lack of energy, would anyone be bothered about what I had to say anyway? - but with just a few days of the year left it feels like a good time to reflect on the year.

It has, like many years, been one of ups and downs.  Let's get the misery out of the way first.  Emotionally, I've struggled.  Anxiety is a bitch, and my self-esteem has been at rock bottom.  I've put on weight, and although I'm trying my hardest to become more body confident (or at least body accepting) it isn't always easy fighting the thoughts that have, over a life time, become ingrained.  What I do know is I don't want to waste any more years 'dieting' and social media accounts such as Bodiposipanda and SoBadAss have been an enormous help in reminding me that bodies of all shapes are beautiful and that not everyone's functions the same way.  I'm also making an effort to slow down, because my body doesn't cope well with stress.  Prioritising time to read and sew has made a big difference to my mental health over the past couple of months so I'm determined to make time for those things in 2019, along with more regular physical exercise.  The running I did in the summer months helped beyond measure.

The start of the year was also a challenge professionally.  Joe and Clara's Christmas Countdown completed my contract with Harper Impulse and a book I'd written in 2017 went out on submission in February.  I'd not gone through that process before, but basically it involved my agent sending the book out to various publishers and waiting for their feedback.  This book is still without a home, even though the comments we got back were generally very positive.  The rejections knocked my already low confidence, and for a while I wondered what the future held for me.  My poor agent has been a marvel this year putting up with my self-doubt!  Thankfully, the second half of the year was far more enjoyable and successful on a professional level and I can't wait to tell you what's coming next (hopefully not too long now until I can say!) I'm also going into 2019 full of ideas and feeling excited about writing again.

Despite poor mental health I've been fortunate to have found joy in many places throughout the year.  Live music has helped me so much and I've seen almost all my favourite bands/artists at least once in 2018.  Morrissey, Charlie Barnes, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Bastille, Frank Turner, Gary Barlow, Childcare, Johnny Marr, Felix Hagan and the Family, Arkells...they've all made me smile.  I've also managed theatre trips to see NBT's Jane Eyre, Hairspray, Grease, The Band, Heathers and Rock of Ages.  We had a few days break in Edinburgh and a night in London as a family and I went home to Wales and to Brackley to visit my best friend when she had her baby at the start of the year.  I also had a night in Scarborough with friends when we went to see Bastille at the Open Air Theatre.  I've loved photography exhibitions and art exhibitions, and as I mentioned earlier have found solace in sewing and reading - I'll do a separate post about my favourite reads of the year.  Family and friends who've been patient with me have been a real blessing when I've needed support.  I am very, very lucky.

I'm leaving 2018 feeling quietly hopeful.  There are big changes afoot in 2019 with work, my son starting secondary school, moving house (if all goes to plan)... but I'm ready.  My word for the year ahead is balance.  Hopefully 2019 will be a bit less emotionally wobbly than 2018 was.

Comments

  1. Sounds like a good year overall and lots to look forward to in 209. Here’s to a good one x

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Won't Act My Age - Should Age Influence Hobbies?

Following on from a fabulous weekend watching Take That in Hyde Park with my best friend (you can read a bit about that here) , I spent my Tuesday morning waiting outside a local radio station to meet Olly Murs on his 'You Don't Know Love' radio tour.  I had fun talking to others in the queue (there were maybe 60-80 of us there in all) and the time passed pretty quickly.  Luckily the rain held off and it was neither too hot or too cold - pretty much perfect weather for waiting outside.  Olly arrived just before midday and the staff at the station invited fans in to watch his live stream being filmed, so we all crammed into the foyer to hear him share how proud he is of his forthcoming album and that there will be a tour next year.  Meeting Olly, 12.07.2016 When the interview was over we were all ushered outside and politely reformed the queue to each have our moment with Olly.  It really was nothing more than a moment - his schedule ...

I'm going back to the start...

It's been a weird time. Dreams have been vivid, ideas have been brewing, but actually having the time and inclination to write... Well, let's just say that hasn't happened much during lockdown.  Me and my agent recently parted ways, all very amicably, but it has given me cause to reassess. It reminds me of being a newbie author subbing directly to publishers and pitching to agents (and having the absolute soul-crushing misery of opening a rejection email without a side-helping of an ego-massaging comment from her).  I'm not going to lie, it's a bit scary putting myself out there again, especially as someone with anxiety. It's a competitive industry; the chances of getting a 'no' are far higher than that elusive 'yes'.  My book being on a supermarket shelf didn't mean I'd made it as an author, it meant I had one book that was bought by a supermarket. Ditto having books picked for promotions. Four novels in, I still have work to do.  So I...

My big news!

2021 is shaping up to be a busy year! I've just signed a contract with Bloodhound Books and although I can't share details just yet rest assured the books coming your way will have all the romance, friendship and community spirit that my previous novels are known for.  Bloodhound are making waves in the industry and have sold over 6 million books worldwide since 2014 - it's exciting to be a part of it. I can't wait to tell you more!