I've been taking some time to look back at the year 2020, searching for some good things that happened this year. While it's been an extremely trying year, I am happy to see that I succeeded many of the goals that I'd given myself.
This year, I pushed myself like no other. It's been challenging, but I made it! This year, I took my first step into self-publishing. While I've been traditionally published with small presses for ten years, I knew this was the next step in my journey as an author.
Loving Boone was my debut self-published novel. I'm incredibly proud of all the work I put into it. I'm also very grateful for those who helped me make it a reality! Self-publishing is not a solo path! I have a team of people who help me and I never would have made it without them. I am incredibly grateful to Ash Krafton for all of her help and encouragement along the way. I never would have taken this step without her guidance.
I've also discovered I have a slight addiction for multi-author projects. I enjoy writing stories for calls for submissions that I might not otherwise write. These projects push me in new directions and keep my writing fresh and exciting.
New projects, new directions, new challenges. It's been an exciting year in regards to my writing.
At times, I didn't think I'd be able to do it. No one planned for a global pandemic when we were writing our New Year's goals and resolutions last January. Somehow, through sheer force of will I think, I managed to keep writing despite the depression and anxiety that came along with learning about Covid-19. Add to that the struggle of being a single mom of four children. Homeschooling (which I freely admit, I did not go to school to become a teacher and there is a reason for that!) as well as self-isolating and taking every precaution and more to keep my children safe, educated and entertained. It was a lot to take this year.
Taking my writing to that next level is both exhilarating and frightening. But, I would never be able to do it without readers. I've been shown such kindness and encouragement from readers that it truly brings tears to my eyes. For every email, comment and review I've received this year, I am so grateful for everyone who has turned a page in one of my books and read those words that I worked countless hours on.
Thank you! Seriously, I cannot thank you enough! I appreciate every one of you!
For more about my books and writing, check out http://www.TriciaSchneider.com.
