Learning and Planning for 2012 ... so I Can Go Back to Bed

I get sappy at night. After my comic-sketching tweeners have gone to bed, and my husband has shut down his home-office edit bay for the night (talk about creativity bursting in every corner of the house) I snuggle up to my pillow, ready to go to sleep, and BAM! All the words I couldn't find in the midst of distractions during the day bubble up like a river as soon as I close my eyes.

So I come to my blog to sort them out.

Hope Clark wrote a very inspirational post today about looking back on 2011. She described events of her year past, highlighting her successes, losses, friendships and endeavors. Concerning the endeavors, she reminds us to discern what worked from what didn't, so we can learn from the struggles, and be grateful for the opportunities to gain experience. This way, we can plan better for 2012.

It's good advice. I'm hoping 2012 is an extra special year for everyone. 

For my family personally - My husband started his new business editing TV shows and commercials from home. He's run his own corporation in the past - but he was always gone from the house long hours. This summer and fall he was away for almost 5 months, doing work back in L.A. We see this office at home as an opportunity for him to spend more face time with the kids and have some flexibility in his schedule. He took a break around his lunch hour to run to the store for me today. Score for Mom!

Also, my sister and her family just moved to town from Reno. They're busy getting settled in their new house, and I'm really grateful for their presence here in Nashville. I have family nearby again. Family nearby is a good thing.

I've looked back on my writing posts over the last year and I know I've learned some things.

Content writing for hub sites was a practical way for me to get paid to get some experience writing. There's a community there that supports the effort. Copy editors correct articles. Rewrites suck, but oh well. I never made less than minimum wage the whole time I was doing it. The folks who rail against the sites probably never wrote for them. They're really not so bad. No pressure. No harm done. I learned some stuff. Thank you eHow and Livestrong, for paying me to write. I made some money, and I used a pen name so ... Cat York is still squeaky clean. 

Pursuing my dream of writing that best-selling YA novel is going to take more than 1 year (or two or three). Why? Because I need to get better at it. Period. I have a lot of ideas and a lot to learn about long form fiction. When I release a book - I want a team of people behind me saying "This is the one! We got your back!" That day is still in my future, but I'm not holding my breath right now.

Illustrating and self publishing picture books for children is supposed to be fun. I was getting pretty grumpy about it. Most likely because I'm someone who puts a lot of time into meetings, getting to know my clients, making all the changes they wanted, and then feeling guilty about charging them after the book doesn't make them a zillion dollars. I need to butt out of this business for a little while and let the happy folks write and illustrate books for kids. Kids should have books from happy people who don't worry about money. I have a favorite teacher's voice in my head reminding me, "If you're doing a job you're not meant to do, you're stealing the opportunity from the right person for it." (or something like that - he probably says it better.)

Here's my new take on all that: When I'm happy - I'll write, illustrate and publish my own books for kids again. That way - I won't have to worry about how much money they make. It will be my risk alone. But for now - I need to find a more credible, established source of income. So I can be a little happier.

On that note:

I like to interview. Who'd a thunk it?  I mean - I did a few interviews for my content articles for Livestrong, but they were mostly product-based and only to gather a few quotes from knowledgeable sources. But today I had a very wonderful chat with a charming community teacher who has a unique business and a great perspective on life. She made my first "official" interview so easy, I couldn't wait to write my article. What's more - she gave me confidence to do more interviews. I'm already planning, outlining, and targeting magazines who can benefit from local professionals who have interesting views of topics I understand and activities I enjoy. I can write this stuff! And I can get it published! Without waiting years! Thank you Jeff Goins for your article "Making the Most of the Holiday Season by Telling Someone Else's Story" and Hope Clark for always encouraging her followers to try local venues for writing opportunities. It finally sunk in. I can still write fiction in my night owl hours, but I really love the idea of seeking out local stories during the day and using my writing to tell other's stories. REAL stories with personal value.

And now - my fiction can be fiction ... and fun!

Wow. 2012. 

Bring it on.

Happy New Year Everyone!
I wish you all the best!

xo - CAT