Looking Back, Looking Ahead

From a writing perspective, I found 2015 pretty frustrating. My husband and I are starting a new business. That had me traveling internationally eight months out of the twelve. When I wasn’t on a trip or planning for one, I was sending out letters, reviewing proposals, or engaged in other work-related tasks.

I felt as though I had no time to write. There was a five month period when I didn’t add a single word to my main WIP. Since I don’t make my living off my books, I felt that I had to get the other stuff done first. But I really missed writing.

So when I review what I actually accomplished this year, I’m astonished. I had twelve single-author releases. This includes four books in my D&S Duos series, a dark paranormal erotic collection Fourth World, my paranormal erotic romance The Eyes of Bast, my BDSM erotic romance Nasty Business, and my first two stand-alone lesbian titles, Her Own Devices and The Witches of Gloucester.

I self-published three shorts, all with my own covers. I also contributed to four charitable anthologies published by Coming Together. And I had a story included in Laura Antoniou’s Best Lesbian Erotica 2015 volume.

Another accomplishment from 2015 was editing The Gonzo Collection, by Daddy X. I’m really proud of this volume of bizarre and original tales. 
 

The thing that really has me excited, though, is the fact that I have finished that WIP that was hanging over me all year. I just sent the manuscript for The Gazillionaire and the Virgin off to my editor. It’s due out from Excessica on January 29, 2016. This is the first novel I’ve written since The Ingredients of Bliss, in August 2014. It’s a classic romance—with lots of kinky sex!

So what does 2016 hold, aside from my billionaire CEO and her lusty but inexperienced Dom? Well, first of all, Totally Bound will be releasing new, expanded editions of Raw Silk and Incognito during the first half of the year. When it comes to new stories, I have so many ideas I really can’t decide.

I’ve been toying with the notion of writing a novel that’s brings together Kate, Gregory, Miranda and Mark, set in Thailand. It’s interesting to speculate about the emotional and sexual dynamics among these four characters.

There’s also The Toymakers’ Guild, which I’ve had on my back burner for a long time—a steam punk erotica series about a mysterious organization of sexual engineers who construct custom sex gadgets for the rich and well-connected—but who have their own relationships and secrets.

I’d also like to write more F/F fiction. And M/M fiction too. I have notions for sequels to both Quarantine and Necessary Madness.

Really, the problem isn’t a lack of ideas, but a lack of time. My push to finish Gazillionaire reminded me how much I love to write, though. My New Year’s resolution is to make more time for that activity in 2016.

Happy New Year to all of my visitors and readers!

May 2016 be everything you wish!

Resolutions

It's only a few days until 2012 arrives, but I've been so busy with work I've hardly had the chance to think about the question. I have today "off", though, and so I'm trying to catch up - no, I'm trying to catch my breath, actually, to slow down a bit and consider what lies ahead.

Usually I don't make New Year's resolutions. I feel that I'd like to this year, though, because I'm not 100% pleased with the way I handled 2011. 'Way too much stress. Too much guilt, too, about the things I thought I should be doing. I've made my poor husband miserable complaining about how much promotion I have to do, but when he very rationally suggests that maybe I should cut back, I start to make excuses about how I can't...

I'm starting 2012 with the premise that if I'm not enjoying some aspect of my life, there's something wrong. That's an area I should look at, and change if I can. When my writing and the associated marketing become a chore, that's a danger signal.

So here are my promises to myself for the coming year.

1. I resolve to worry less. I know that worrying is not the same as planning. It depletes my energy and makes it even harder for me to get things accomplished. Very few things are the life and death issues they might seem to me. I want to meet my commitments, but honestly, the world won't stop if I fail to blog or don't send out my newsletter on time.
2. I resolve to complain less. Sharing my problems and asking for help is one thing - that's a practical step toward improving a situation. But just whinging about how busy or stressed or miserable I am accomplishes nothing. It just shows a lack of consideration for the person I'm forcing to listen.
3. I resolve to be grateful for my gifts. It's so easy to compare myself with someone else and feel inadequate. I need to remember that the ability to imagine stories, write them down and get them published is a tremendous blessing. It doesn't matter how many books I've written. Every one is an accomplishment.
4. I resolve to take more time off for fun. Too often during 2011, I put off recreation or relaxation until I'd polished off my to-do list. Frequently that meant I'd never get to have fun at all. In 2012 I'm going to ignore the inner voice calling me lazy. We all need a balance between work and play.

Notice that all of my resolutions are relative. I'm sure that in 2012 I'll still complain, still feel inadequate, still work too hard. If I can do less of these things than I did during the past year, though, I'll be satisfied.

After all, we're all works in progress.