ONWARD TO 2022
2021. What a year.
It had its ups and downs, but here at the end, I'‘m moving into 2022 feeling hopeful, even tentatively excited, because I reached a massive milestone in my writing career: I published my first book. Heck, my first two books. I have to keep telling myself that, because it remains a surreal concept…even though I’ve been published since June.
Publishing is a dream I’ve nurtured since I was a preteen. I spent middle school and high school drafting up silly little novels in the hopes that I would finish one of them around graduation and hop straight into a career as an author. That definitely did not happen, and looking back, I’m glad it didn’t, because those really were silly little novels, and even though I was one of the stronger writers in my classes, I had no idea how to tell a compelling story.
In many ways, I still don’t. One does not simply master the art of storytelling after publishing a single book. I’ve revisited Stormbringer and Halfsleeper many times since publishing each of them, and I’m already finding things to fix…but that’s how it goes, right? We’ll always find something to fix. The challenge is learning not to fixate.
At the end of the day, the Dreamwalker series will always hold a special place in my heart, and not just because it’s my debut series. Dreamwalker contains so many pieces and elements of me that I consider the series more of a homage to my 20s. It holds my anger, my frustrations, my discoveries, my fascinations, and even my simple joys. The characters are, in part, representations of me at my best and my worst. At times, they are filled with my love. Other times, my rage and helplessness.
Here at the end of 2021, I’m only just beginning to discover what people think of Dreamwalker. So far, the reception has been positive, but I know there will inevitably come a day when readers start chiming in with the opposite. But that’s all right. I write for myself before anyone else.
As for 2022, I’m looking forward to publishing #3 and #4 in the series, in spring and fall respectively. As of now, #3 is with my precious editor, enjoying a well-earned massage. I’ll also be finishing #5, the final book, toward the end of the year. That, to me, is wildest of all!
I close 2021 with one emotion above all: gratitude. Launching a career as an author with practically no platform is a massive challenge, but thanks to a host of wonderful people, I’m charging into 2022 with excitement and enthusiasm. I could ask for no better way to end a turbulent year.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Wishing each of us an abundant and peaceful new year!
