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My time goes by in such a rush that I often look up at the beginning of a new year, stunned to realize the last year all but disappeared on me. One of my favorite things to do in January is look back on all the memories that stand out from the last year–while they’re still relatively fresh and before I totally forget them in the mad rush of this year.
Usually, my favorite memories are the little things: beautiful moments that stand out for no other reason than they were beautiful — or funny — or sweet — or triumphant — or unusual. Here’s my partial round-up from 2015:
January: Starting Wayfarer
I started the New Year off right with this promptly deleted first page of the first chapter of the first draft of my (now completed — yay!) historical superhero work-in-progress Wayfarer.
February: Umm…
Yeah, honestly, totally drawing a blank on February. Apparently nothing good happened in February. But nothing bad either! What can I say? It’s a pit stop on the way to spring!
March: Steampunk Clock
I was looking for battery-powered digital clocks at Walmart, and, of all things, what should I stumble upon but this beauty? Five seconds later, you know it was in my cart.
April: Charlie’s Chocolates
Forget just April. This was enough to brighten up my entire year. The incredibly generous and talented Charles Jones, of Charlie’s Chocolates send me a package of his out-of-this world truffles. I shared the first box because I didn’t know any better. Now I don’t share. 😉
May: Visiting Family
In May, I took a roadtrip to visit my favorite (only) sister, my awesome brother-in-law, and my adorable niece. I am, however, a horrible aunt and took no pictures.
June: Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers Award
My writing website Helping Writers Become Authors got to make a repeat appearance on this prestigious list, which was pretty awesomesauce.
July: Tucson
Every winter I swear I’m moving to Arizona, even though I’d never been there. So when the opportunity came up to speak to the Tucson chapter of Romance Writers of America this year, I jumped at it. Flying in on a rainy night, I have to say it was one of the most beautiful cities I’ve seen.
August: Pineapple Plant
How can you not resist a pineapple plant? It only lasted me the summer before curiosity got to me and I cut open the pineapple (verdict: not ripe). But it was adorable while I had it.
September: Enjoying the Last of Summer
At the beginning of September, I took advantage of the last warm, green days to do my “flying tour” of all the settings in my aviation-adventure novel Storming. Doesn’t get more beautiful than western Nebraska in summertime.
October: Howl’s Moving Castle
A rainy October gets points for giving me my favorite movie of the year (probably, of the last few years): Ghibli Studio’s layers-of-wonderful Howl’s Moving Castle.
November: Holiday Box
Favorite birthday gift? A “Try the World Box,” stuffed full of delicious Christmas goodies from all over the world. Which reminds me… I still have cookies…
December: Storming Releases
And of course the overall highlight of 2015 was the deadline I was working toward all year: the release of my historical-dieselpunk adventure novel Storming.
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Aw, how old is your niece? I’ve just recently become an uncle myself. 🙂
She just turned a year. I understand now why aunts and uncles always say *their* niece is the cutest. 😉
I love your clock. 😉
I loved my trip to California for a friend’s wedding. It was definitely the best thing that happened to me. But I think last year was also a huge step in the writing world for me. It was tough, but I’m thankful for it!
Thanks for being so encouraging by being who you are!
Kayla
Tough steps are always good–especially when you can look at them right away and identify their worth. Sounds like you had a momentous year!
Howdy!
Greetings from lands far away….
Glad to see your enjoyment from 2015. That steampunk clock looks pretty awesome.
I’m sure everyone has their top website and I’m not sure how they would gauge the “best” ones, but yours IS the best.
The jedi council would definitely back me on this one.
Nebraska looks beautiful as does Tucson. By the way the snow was delivered finally but it was only 2-3 inches.
My highlights of 2015:
1. The day I decided TO BE a writer (I wrote it down somewhere in a notebook unsure of the day)
2. NaNoWriMo 2015 ! I had more fun than I imagined!
3. My Nano group and discovering the writing community
4. Discovering both of your websites was a big plus.
5. My eldest son prayed to accept Christ at a young age. Sweet!!
See ya
Sounds like you had a great year too! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the website. Makes my day to hear it’s been useful!