And then it was nearly October
My New Year
It was just March, and suddenly it’s the end of September, which means it was just my birthday (I honestly started this newsletter draft in mid-August before my birthday!), which means it’s time for me to look back on the previous year and assess how things are going and figure out which habits to keep and which to yeet into the sun.
Most people take a look at their lives—or at least the previous year—on New Year’s Eve/Day. I think it makes more sense to do it on your birthday because you’re not hungover, you’re not in the midst of the sad-post-holiday blues, and your birthday is YOURS, so you don’t have to join in the weird let’s-share-our-resolutions party where people get all judgey.
So how did the last year go work- and writing-wise? Well, I’ve been super busy with clients, which is fabulous, and I finished writing a novel in May, which is extra fabulous.
BUT I have barely had time to edit a novella I finished before last year’s birthday or edit this novel or even work on the book that’s due in 2 months (eek!). So, while making money to pay bills is great, not having enough brain to do that plus work on my own books isn’t.
How to fix it? I know, deep in my dark little heart, that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Every writer I know who doesn’t do it full time (basically 99.9% of all writers I know) are in the same position. And there is no way to create more hours in the day or energy in my aging body!
And life-wise? How was this past year? Eh, it was ok. My health isn’t the best (see: sitting all day for work). And I don’t find time to do hobbies, really. (So, basically similar to most adults I know!) I find that as adults we rarely have fun much anymore, and I’d like to change that.
How to fix it? Get my ass outside more. Which means going to bed earlier so I feel rested when I get up. Which means finishing the book due soon so I am not working all hours. And maybe learning to schedule myself better.
What to yeet into the sun? Politics (being angry all the time sucks). Doom scrolling (ditto). Hormones (um, ditto?).
What’s coming up
I’ll be at NorCon this weekend with my fellow Bury St Edmunds and East Anglia SFF authors selling books!
Take care of yourselves, and go find some fun!