wrapping up 2023!
What a year. Welcome back to the V.M. Ayala/spacevalkyries newsletter, first of the year! In some ways I feel like I accomplished very little in 2023, but in reality I hit some big short story milestones in my writing career and showcased a lot of games. And read like 44 books too, which is more than I've read in years!
Writing News
I got my second pro publication! You can read "Emotional Resonance" or listen to it narrated by the amazing Julia Rios on Escape Pod. This one means a lot to me because it's about two queer robots trying to stay together and find some peace.
And while it hasn't been published yet, I did get an acceptance for a flash fiction piece to Translunar Travelers Lounge, and I look forward to its publication later this year (probably)!
Stream and Content Creation Accomplishments
I also stream on Twitch and do let's plays on YouTube, though the let's plays are a bit inconsistent due to chronic pain and fatigue. I finished 5 games in their entirety, and showcased at least a dozen more indie demos, which has become a surprise passion of mine. I love indie games and can't wait to keep playing more this year, they're always full of surprises and creativity. You can see my favorite indie games of 2023 on my blog as well.
And Most Importantly, I Took Breaks and Listened to my Chronic Pain and Fatigue
Growing up, I was told to muscle through any issues, to push and push until I got where I wanted. It's a very oldschool Texan mindset, and my family still swears by it. But unfortunately it's not very forgiving if you're disabled. Trying to unravel the threads of those lessons and weave something softer and more understanding has been a process, one that's extra difficult because, y'know, we live in a capitalism hellscape. But I was forced to rest a lot in 2023, and I started slowing down and realizing I can't go at the pace abled folks can. It's been an important lesson, and one that influences everything I want to achieve this year.
Well, It's 2024! What Now? My Plans for the Year
While I promised a serial fiction series last year, I think I'm putting that on pause while I decide what format suits it best, I'm torn between novella and serial form. It's still happening either way, I just want it to be the best it can be and in the format that makes the most sense for the story.
More Short Stories!
In the meantime! I'm definitely going to write more micro and short stories and post them on Patreon and/or my blog. They'll often be inspired by a topic from stream or something someone in chat says that sounds funny or inspires an idea. And who knows, maybe I'll submit them as reprints to magazines at some point, too. Supporters on Patreon and Ko-fi will get access to Q&As, early drafts to show the process, and the ability to comment on the pieces on those platforms and have discussion!
Of course, I'll still be writing pieces specifically to submit places too.
That Novel Is Still On The Horizon
I hope to finish my novel by the end of this year and have it in a queryable state so I can cry while agents slowly reject me. Exciting!
Also recently I realized I want to try my hand at TTRPG writing and interactive fiction writing. Hope to have more updates throughout the year on projects for both!
And finally, the big thing later this year: I'm planning to go back to college and get a business degree with a marketing concentration. As a streamer and writer I've fallen into some marketing experience and found I don't hate it. As far as pursuits to pay the bills, I think it could be a decent one. I never finished college and had to drop out for health reasons, so it feels good to be looking to go back. Hoping I can balance everything! And, someday, fully finish my English degree. It'll happen, even if I'm like 69, I'm stubborn.
Now this is most the most important part of the newsletter, according to oneneatcat (good friend and moderator for stream): in 2023, my mods were very well-behaved.
I definitely believe this to be true, totally. (I wrote this newsletter during a co-working stream and she helpfully told me to put that in, so I did heh).
As always you can find links to my writing on my website, as well as articles and more on my blog. And if you'd like to support me you can become a patron on Patreon, a member on Ko-fi (you get the same rewards and access to content) or leave a tip if you like my writing!
Here's to 2024, may it be a little less stressful than 2023 was.
- Val 💜