As the World Turns

It's December 31st. New Year's Eve. A time when I typically stay hunkered down at home with a beer and a book because I'm old and people don't take the dangerous reality of drunk driving as seriously as they should. Occasionally, I'll look back at the past year, reflect on this or that, and look ahead at what's to come. I say occasionally because honestly, without looking back at this blog, I can't even remember if I did that last year. But I will say a few words today on 2016.

Admittedly, there was a lot of rough things happening in 2016. Our global landscape is changing, both physically and politically, and not for the better. A lot of beloved celebrities died, some too soon and others because, well, none of us are immortal. But I can't get behind this negativity surrounding the year itself.

2016 is a numeric designation used for chronicling events both good and bad. The number cannot be blamed for all the bad that has happened. Likewise, we are not going to wake tomorrow to a world magically changed because we've now slipped on a new pair of shoes called 2017.

Initially, I'd planned a post about all of the good things that happened in 2016. Things like the Cubs winning the world series after more than a century and finally getting a Star Wars film that gave me the same kind of emotional rollercoaster ride the original trilogy did in my youth. But there are already posts like this. Tons of them. Really well thought out, thorough, and heartwarming articles are out there and I can't hold a candle to them, so go, read those.

So I'm stuck talking about the only subject I know well: me. Narcissistic much, writer girl? ;)

2016 on a personal level was a mixed bag. I began the year on a mental low, still grieving the loss of our dog, Penny in late 2015. Yes, losing a beloved pet can be just as devastating on one's mental health as losing a loved one. Luckily for us, we still have two healthy and happy pups who helped us through the worst of it. In fact, just recently, we discovered that one of our dogs is younger than we thought, giving us the potential of an extra year with that lovable little furball. If that isn't a silver lining, then I don't know what is.

I'd hoped to have more to talk about on a personal level, but alas, there were some setbacks on that front meaning my lips remain sealed on the everyday ongoings of the McMullen household. Perhaps 2017 will be the year I get to make certain announcements. Mysterious, yes. Sorry 'bout that.

But on the business side, 2016 was an amazing year. Due in part to a couple of well timed promotions, I've more than doubled the number of books I've moved since starting this journey four years before. I can only hope to continue with that kind of luck (yes, luck) in 2017.

Also, despite several issues keeping me from exercising my brain, I managed to push out a new title and get a lot of work ready to go in the near future, including finally finishing the rough draft for the problem-plagued Princess Robot Commander. Work on book two begins immediately and I'm hoping to actually have an announcement about that series this summer. In the meantime, I'll be experimenting with some short stories that stretch the limits of the sci-fi and fantasy genres and spill over into literary fiction and magical realism.

Looking ahead, I don't do New Year resolutions. I can't. I'm bad at them. But what I will do is continue to try and remain positive. I will continue to push my indie publishing agenda. I will continue to neglect the hell out of this blog. And I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that I am in position to assume my role as right hand meat puppet when the robots take over.