The arrival of the new year is a time to look ahead, to plan and dream and look forward to the arrival of a fresh start and new opportunities. It’s also a good time to look back and reflect on the previous year, and to take a moment to celebrate the things you’ve accomplished—no matter how big or small.
What the past year has taught me is unfathomable:
January
I started the new year by I applying to round 9 of Author Mentor Match. Even though I wasn’t selected to be a mentee, I learned a lot of useful lessons! January taught me I’ve got what it takes to work on a deadline, to be rejected, and to move on.
February
I brainstormed a new project and got to apply ALL THE THINGS I learned while writing my previous manuscript! I also wrote a series of blog posts about the process. February showed me that I’ve come a long way since I first started writing; I’ve grown as a writer, found my voice, and developed my craft.
March
I launched my website, which includes a blog about my writerly adventures and useful resources for fellow writers. March taught me that taking the next step in my writing journey—in this case: claiming my place in cyberspace with my own website—is scary but worth it.
April
I celebrated one year in the writing community! Over the course of a year, I found many fellow writers on Instagram, made wonderful connections, and enjoyed many beautiful accounts. While the act of writing is often a lonely one, April taught me that the writing community is warm and gracious and encouraging. I’m thankful for all my fellow writers!
May
I had a wonderful birthday, saw two super cool classical concerts, started working on fun events for my orchestra, and I enjoyed the “summer-is-coming” weather. May taught me that investing in myself, and making time for things I enjoy, is important and necessary—and I don’t do it often enough.
June
In June, The Summer I Turned Pretty released on Amazon.com! Ah, the teenaged nostalgia! I was super excited to see this book series become a TV show. It also gave me a shiny new idea™ for a story. June taught me that inspiration can strike at any time, and it made be believe that I have still more stories to tell.
July
In July, my orchestra won the World Music Competition. It was a month filled with hard work, music, and so many feels! BUT: July taught me that rest, and making space for yourself, is not an optional thing. I have limits and towing the line of exhaustion is never a good thing.
August
I walked the Laugavegur Trail, in the middle of the Icelandic highlands. I witnessed some of the most spectacular terrains on earth, even as the trail challenged every fiber of my being. August taught me about beauty, joy, pain, and—most importantly—magic.
September
I finished the last round of revisions for my WIP, prepared my submission package, and researched agents. September taught me that I could finish writing a book, and that I could probably do it again. It also taught me not to obsess over perfection. Perfection doesn’t exist—and that’s okay.
October
I started querying and received my first rejection e-mails. I came one step closer to finding the right agent for me. October brought me excitement, but also an unexpected sense of peace: I realized that even if no agent wants my story—even if I have to shelve it for eternity—I absolutely love this book for teaching me ow to write.
November
I participated in NaNoWriMo for the second time! My project had been brewing for a while, and its characters totally stole my heart. I learned to love them, and I learned to love their shenanigans, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here!
December
I failed to read 25 books in my genre this year, even though it was one of the goals I set at the beginning of 2022. I did read almost 40 books, but over half of them were *not* YA fantasy. Still, I enjoyed all of them and they made me a better writer! December taught me not to feel too shitty about not reaching all my 2022 goals.
To conclude: this past year was a year of growth, and I’m excited to see where the next one will take me! Here’s to 2023!