Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy Old Year!

goldstars It's the end of the year and time to take stock.

(Warning: If horn-tooting makes you cringe, you might want to move on to the next blog on your blogroll. I've pulled out my big brass bugle for this post! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.)

Writing-wise, 2009 was a great year for me. (Otherwise-wise, it was a good year, too. I realize 2009 was a downer for many people, but I am truly fortunate.)

I accomplished many of my writing/publishing/marketing goals and surpassed others (of course, I missed on a few, but I won't dwell on those).

Specifically:

  • I sold three books, all to Midnight Ink: DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD, a standalone, THE LAST LAFF (first in the Channing Hayes series), and an unwritten sequel. Without my great agent Kathy, I'd still be looking for sale number one. THANKS, KATHY!

  • I revised and polished two suspense novels.

  • I wrote a pretty clean first draft of another novel.

  • I learned HTML, CSS, and Photoshop, and put up a website. Gave it a facelift, too.

  • I started this blog and maintained a three-posts-a-week pace. While surfing the blogosphere, I found a host of new and interesting blogs to procrastinate with learn from.

  • I blogged at InkSpot.

  • I joined Facebook.

  • I joined Twitter.

  • I connected with dozens of other writers, on-line and in person, and developed relationships with some fascinating and inspiring people.

  • I critiqued manuscripts for my critique partners. Hopefully, I helped (or at least didn't do too much damage).

  • I designed bookmarks and new business cards.

  • I joined International Thriller Writers and volunteered to be a website editor for the Debut Authors pages.

  • I became Treasurer of my local MWA chapter.

Whew! I get tired just recapping it all.

But there's no time to rest--I have a strong feeling 2010 is going to be even busier.

And even better.


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8 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Horn tooting is good when you've really got something to toot over! And you do. You've had a fantastic year...congratulations!

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

Wow! What a year you've had - way to go! May 2010 be even more successful for you.

Anonymous said...

Alan - You have every right to blow that horn, baby! You've had a banner year, and I am very, very happy for you. Congratulations!

Mason Canyon said...

Sounds like a busy year. May 2010 be even busier (in a good way) and may much success and happiness come your way. Congratulations.

Alan Orloff said...

Elizabeth - Thanks! And I know you've got a long list of swell accomplishments, too. Congrats back at ya!

Jane - Thanks. I hope 2010 is more successful for EVERYONE.

Margot - Thanks. I figure I can take out my bugle once a year (Okay, maybe twice ;) ), dust it off, and give it a toot. I'll stuff it back in the closet now, right underneath my collection of 8-track tapes.

Mason - Thanks. Busy, yes, but worth every busy second. Best wishes for a great 2010 to you, too.

Julee said...

Dude... I'm exhausted just reading all that! I don't know how you guys do it. I'm still trying to discipline myself to polish short stories after I write them. Congrats on all the successes and I hope 2010 is even better for you!

Alan Orloff said...

Julee - I take lots of naps :)

Happy 2010 to you!

G.M. Malliet said...

I wish I could say I'd done as much. Even nearly as much.

Congratulations, Alan!