It’s the last day of 2013

And you know what that means…

A reflective blog post…

Now, before you all go running into the sunset, this isn’t going to be a normal reflective blog post, simply because I am not a very reflective person. You know that saying ‘hindsight is 20/20’? Well, in my experience that hindsight can make you awfully uncertain of your future. And the last thing I want is to second and triple guess all of my decisions. Because, lets face it, I am in decisive enough. You should probably never ask me what I want for dinner – you will more than likely get a resounding ‘ummmm’

Which is why looking back can be scary. Let’s face it, this year has been amazing. A year ago I would have never have thought I would be here. I would have never thought that this type of future was possible for me and my family. Which brings us to the hindsight issue. My husband and I had a business in 2006 – yep right before the economy crashed and took our business with it. I used to run a traveling children’s theatre company which lack of funding caused to close. In many ways I was a failure but if I had looked back at those experiences when my sister first started to pester me about publishing I never would have. But I moved forward – and somehow I did something amazing…

How amazing?

My 2013 in facts and numbers:

I have 6,200 more facebook fans than this time last year.

I have 2,677 more twitter followers than this time last year.

I have sold over 136,000 books this year – my rookie year…

Yes, My jaw drops when I read that too.

I have been invited to three events for next year.

I went to two events this year.

I held over 80 giveaways. (Reason number one to follow me on facebook)

I have had four offers to purchase audio rights.

I have had two offers to purchase film rights. (one of those is deathly serious and it still freaks me out)

I have had one traditional publishing offer.

I have been signed by an amazing agent to help actually close said deals.

I turned thirty (I can’t believe I just admitted that)

I have an amazing editing team which blows my mind every darn day.

I have made countless new, and amazing, friends. (One of which I met on an airplane on the way to an event)

Have thousands of amazing fans who support me, and crashed my email box when I announced Soul of Flame’s delay

I have a bazillion things I am thankful for – so much so that if I tried to list them I would miss something or someone. So know, that if you are reading this – you are included in this.

You know, its crazy, writing that out – reading it. It’s crazy to see all these amazing things that were accomplished – all these amazing things that I did – all the amazing things that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for my sister pushing me, for the bloggers that helped me, the authors that guided me, the readers who accepted me. Because you can’t do anything amazing on your own – and this year – this year was amazing!

But like I said – hindsight.

Even though so much of this year was amazing – so much rotted too.

I got taken for a ride by a couple of ‘service people’ who couldn’t separate personal and business. One of which I still counts as a friend and it breaks my heart. I got depression so bad I couldn’t write and had to re-write the beginning of Soul of Flame. My husband was laid off – making me the sole provider for my family. I gained about 70 lbs from sitting and stressing and trying to eat through that stress.

But you know – looking at those lists – the bad is nothing.

So this year I challenge you – when you look back – when you pull up your hindsight – look at the good. Because I guarantee you the good outweighs the bad.

And its the good of this year that is going to make next year amazing.

So hold onto your britches – cuz I got a goal list.

And 2014 is going to be amazing!