The Gift of a Fresh Year
I’m not a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions. We make ourselves promises, we go way overboard in an effort to change everything at once, exhaust ourselves, then give up, all before the end of the first week.
Okay. By “we” I mean me.
My last post here was nearly two years ago. I was struggling with the loss of my dad, and one by one, I dropped things. I still managed to put out a few books each year, but the last few years the things I had the energy to do became fewer and fewer until posting on Facebook a couple days a week and a newsletter the night before a book was released was about all I’d been doing other than writing.
The longer I went without getting back to talking to you here, saying hi on Twitter, working on my book-related Pintrerest boards, posting pictures on Instagram, and spending more time on Facebook, the harder it was to begin again. I used to lose touch with long-distance friends that way. The longer I went without answering a letter, the longer the apology got in my head. Years would go by before I could bring myself to explain in a letter that ended up longer than some of my short stories.
Which is to say, I’m kind of an idiot.
So, I’m not making any resolutions, here. I’m just getting back to work. I love what I do, and I miss talking to all of you. This year is going to be epic. I’m working on the next Mt. Olympus trilogy, which follows Wynter’s friend Jilly in the Furies department. I’m also outlining the last contracted Djinn Haven novel, which should finally get Kam and Tahm where they need to be. I’ve left Patrice hanging with several more stories to tell in the Undercover Gorgon serial, so I’ll be trying to finish her up. And I have a short story coming out for you later that involves a certain baby whose parents are an Aegis and a Reaper. And most exciting of all, I’m working on a brand new series for next year. Two words: Closet. Monster. It’s going to be ah-mazing.
I’m having a hell of a time not jumping straight into that last one, but it’s going to take a lot of time to set it up behind the scenes before I can begin. It’s a big deal, and I want to do it right. I owe it to Maurice and Sara, and I owe it to you.
I have the most wonderful, supportive readers. You waited patiently for the next book, and you didn’t forget me just because I slipped off of social media. You’re still here. For that, I am truly touched and extremely grateful. And I missed talking to you, so much.
Time for me to go write you another book.
See you real soon!
Rachel
Yay! That is all 🙂
I’m glad you’re happy! Yay!! 🙂
You’re no kind of an idiot at all. You were grieving and taking a step back is totally normal. Now I’ll just be here cheering for more closets and monsters! 😀 Yay!
Thanks, Laura. Time for me to step back into the world. If you see me slacking off, poke me!
Thank you for not giving up. The only New Years resolution I have kept for the last 20 yrs. is , not to ever make a New Years resolution again. ha ha so there.
I still love your writing. Your mind is a wonderful place to go to for adventure.
I loved your last book, I just finished it last month.I can’t wait for the next ones.
Love you,
Aunt Pat
I’m glad you enjoyed the last one. 🙂 I’ll keep writing them for you!
I’ve been dying for more information about closet monsters. And attic monsters and under the bed monsters and basement monsters, you get the idea.I cant wait to read it!
Hi, Zoe! I hope you enjoy all the monsters! Thanks for stopping by! 😀
You were grieving, and wrapping yourself in writing and the realms that comforted you. We writers are so lucky to have the worlds we create, where we are safe and can shut out the “real” world. On the other hand…we missed you! We knew there was more for a certain closet monster! And that magical baby… Can’t wait!
Thanks, Debi. That’s really kind of you to say. Sometimes we writers spend excessive energy mentally beating ourselves up for being too human. I’m glad you stopped by. Your books look wonderful, and your covers are absolutely gorgeous. I wish you loads of success and lots of words flowing onto the page! 🙂
Thanks so much for your encouraging words, Rachel! I !ove hearing how those who write wrap creating and populating whole new worlds (something that can take so much out of you!) into family life. My husband doesn’t quite get it, but at our daughter does, she also writes. Please tell your daughter we loved her picture of Zoey meeting Maurice!