I’m grateful for a fun and productive 2011.
Looking back, we took lots of trips — New Mexico, Iowa, Idaho, Wyoming (if you count the overnight stays on the way to Idaho), South Dakota and Georgia twice.
We are more involved in our church. My favorite activity is seeing an elderly friend with dementia. For the 30 minutes Enzo visits, it helps us all. She becomes a grandma again. Enzo gets to be around an older person, because all his grandparents live in other states. The visits remind me to be present and enjoy the moment.
I joined a Mothers of Preschoolers group. I met more people in my neighborhood.
My Hubby survived Enzo’s first birthday where I created multiple monkey cupcakes, two monkey shaped cakes and cake bites. We had more treats than people. He also survived a 50th wedding anniversary party including planning, the event and shipping the couple off on an Alaskan cruise. Oh, and I turned 40 in the middle of all the May mayhem.
Here’s a recap of some of my writing activities:
- An essay I wrote about my dog Eddie in 2010 was published in a Chicken Soup for the Soul Book My Dog’s Life.
- I had no luck finding a home for other personal essays this year. I wrote 10 and submitted them to publications and contests. While these pieces were not published, each made me sit down and write. Who knows there may be a revision and re-submission in my future?
- I took a short online course on personal essays. I attended part of a writer’s conference.
- I wrote two picture books. Well, one had about six complete rewrites.
- I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and attended a picture book retreat.
- I participated in the Story A Day in May Challenge. I wrote micro-stories. This helped me fine tune a few thoughts about my Memoir-in-Progress.
- The Picture Book Idea Month Challenge kept me on my toes in November. I’m enjoying the Perfect Picture Book posts on Fridays.
- I wrote four stories for blog challenges. While just for fun, these entries made me focus on content, rules and deadlines.
- I participated in the Writer’s Platform-Building Campaign. I connected with writers through blogs, Twitter and Facebook personal and group connections.
- I found several writing groups. After attending several meetings, I made decisions on which ones helped and which ones didn’t.
- I wrote this blog to myself in January, because no one read it or followed it for many weeks. I wrote every day then gradually found a schedule. (You’ll see some older posts from 2009 and 2010 from previous blog attempts.)
- I found bloggy friends. They eventually found me.
That’s a wonderful list, Stacy! You got a lot accomplished in 2011. Hope 2012 will be even better! 🙂
You’ve got quite an accomplished list. Congratulations on getting your story in the Chicken Soup book! I’m thankful that my writing group now meets once a week! I’m thankful for my family and friends, for what would life be without their love and support. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Hi Mrs. Jensen! This is what I’m thankful for:
1. My Mom, My Dad, My Sister, My fish Tommy, and Smokey the Chinchilla.
2. My Friends and Relatives, Books I get to Read, Authors I get to Talk To, and My Blog and the People that Read My Blog.
3. I’m Thankful that I’m Healthy and have a Nice School.
I’m sure that I have a lot more I am thankful for, but I can’t think of it right now 🙂
Erik
What a great year you’ve had!
I’m thankful for (in no particular order) — the support I’ve had from friends and family near and far after my parents’ deaths ; the friends I’ve made through various writing campaigns, challenges, etc. ; the travel I’ve done this year, and the friend I did much of it with ; the incredible SCBWI conference in LA ; participation and learning at the Children’s Book Hub ; meeting a person I admire very much ; writing excitement and growth ; on and on it goes.
Whew, girl, you accomplished a lot in 2011! Thumbs up to an even better 2012 and may all your stories be picked up!
Wow! great job on achieving your goals! It was a great 2011.
Love your list!
It inspires me to stop a while this morning and think about what I am grateful for *smiling warmly*
That’s a good list, and a lot of trips! It’s nice to have a reminder at this time of rushing around to sit back and be happy with what has gone right so far. Thank you!
Great list Stacy–you’ve inspired me to do a list for myself, just so I can see what I’ve done!!
Terrific list, Stacy. And congrats on your story’s inclusion in “Chicken Soup!”
I’m particularly grateful this year for fab new writing friends, my kick-butt agent, my family’s health and happiness and having a “job” I love like crazy.
Have wonderful holidays!
That’s quite a year Stacy! congratulations.
I want to write and publish personal essays too. I’m curious which course you took and if it was helpful. Thanks!
Congratulations on an outstanding and productive 2011, Stacy. May 2012 bring you much happiness and success.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
Great list, Stacy! I’m thankful for my wonderful family and friends, and for the writing, which gives me so much joy (with a few headaches, but mostly joy).
All the best in 2012!
What a great year Stacy. I’m sure 2012 will be fantastic!
Thank you all for the encouragement and for sharing your gratitude lists too. I traveled for Christmas and well, I became unplugged for most of the trip.
This is an impressive list! You have such a good attitude about the writing life. I have it too–you have to just keep trying, right? That’s how I feel!
Love how you merged your life list w/your writing list! Because really, for a nonfiction writer, that’s how it is, right? Lots of good luck in 2012, Stacy.