It seems only natural that we glance back over the previous year as we get ready to transition to a new one. As a kid, I looked at New Year’s Eve as a so-so holiday. Sure, it was fun to stay up and watch that glittery ball drop in Times Square, but there really wasn’t much more to recommend it.
When I got older, and met my husband, we enjoyed parties out with friends, ringing in in the New Year with large groups of people. But the older we grew, we gradually transitioned into New Year’s Eve being a quiet holiday at home. It has become “our holiday,” the one festive night of the year we celebrate solely alone…a late night candlelight dinner, champagne, just the two of us. As a result, I’ve grown to view what I once considered a so-so holiday as a charmed night. Not just for the romantic date-night ambiance, but also the bewitchment of one year bowing before the next. I’ve come to view that magical moment when the clock strikes twelve with a combination of whimsy, nostalgia and excitement.
I’m happy for the new writer/blogging friends I made in 2014, and the wonderful friendships I’ve maintained. I’ve discovered some great new blogs, authors and books, and am continually amazed by the peer-support in the online writing community. Guys, if I haven’t said it before—you rock!! What an amazing network!
Personally, I managed to pull off a few feats in 2014. It seems there’s always something waiting on my radar. This past year, I became a contracted author with Kensington Publishing when Lyrical Press was acquired by the New York house. I saw both of my two previous titles with Lyrical (WEATHERING ROCK and TWELFTH SUN) re-released through Kensington, with both titles going to print shortly.
I wrote my first novella, SOLSTICE ISLAND, and indie published it on Kindle. I also designed the cover for SOLSTICE ISLAND, which had me feeling pretty pumped up (Rah!). Strike a few more “firsts” off my list.
After that, I indie published ECLISPE LAKE to Kindle AND *gulp* print using Amazon’s CreateSpace. It took me a while to actually buckle down and make myself tackle the latter, but I’m delighted to have MY book in my hands at last. I remember how I used to dream of that moment when I was a little girl, laboriously writing stories out longhand in a loose-leaf notebook.
I submitted a romantic suspense/mystery novel, MYTH AND MAGIC, to Kensington which was accepted for publication. I just finished the galleys for that one, and if all goes according to schedule, MYTH AND MAGIC will release in June of 2015.
I am presently *thisclose* to finishing the first draft of my Mothman romantic suspense/mystery. My goal is to submit the ms to Kensington by February of 2015 then gnaw on my fingernails, er…work on something else, while I wait to see if it’s accepted.
Finally, I am a voracious reader and devoured 65 books this year, the same as last year. I had hoped for more, but the learning curve with indie publishing took a toll on my time. All in all, not a bad year. I can only hope that 2015 will be as productive!
Have you already set goals for yourself for the coming year? Mine include launching a newsletter, doing my first book signing, and—of course—more writing. What about you?
From the Pen of Mae Clair 
2015- Happy New Year
Before the calendar turns a new leaf over, before the social networking sites get flooded with messages, before the mobile networks get congested, let me take a quiet moment out to wish you a wonderful, happy, healthy and prosperous New Year
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Hi, Mihrank. Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing such wonderful wishes. I send the same back to you and yours and look forward to more of your blogs in 2015!
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Congratulations for a 2014 full of beautiful accomplishments!
May 199.99% of your wishes and dreams for 2015 become realities! You deserve it.
Have a beautiful romantic New Year’s Eve together with your husband!
Thank you for being my cyber friend!
Carmen from overseas
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Hello, dear Carmen! You always bring a smile to my face when you stop by. It has been wonderful getting to know you this last year. I am delighted to have made a good friend so far away who is also a wonderful blogger and writer. Thank you for your well wishes and I send the very best back to you as well!
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You accomplished a lot this year. Enjoy a lovely evening with your husband and best wishes for 2015, Mae xx
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Hi, Emma! You’ll get to see 2015 roll around before I do. 🙂
Thank you so much for your well wishes for 2015 and my “date night” tonight with DH. I wish you the very best in 2015 as well and look forward to enjoying more posts from you in 2015.
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You’ve had a fantastic year, Mae! I’m excited for your new writing ventures…. you know I’ll be waiting patiently for my opportunity to read what you give us next and I have no know doubt that I’ll love it just the same as others.
Happy New, friend!
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Hi, Loni. It’s awesome to have you pop in! You had a fabulous year as well with a hot new release, one of the many books I enjoyed this past year. Thanks for being such a enthusiastic and supportive friend. 🙂 You know I look forward to your next release as well. Here’s hoping 2015 rocks for us both!
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Mae, I love your list of achievements. How fabulous. Congratulations on so many good things and I hope you continue developing in the areas you’ve picked. You have truly been a rock for me and I thank you for it.
Best wishes for 2015.
Daisy
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Aww, Daisy, you’re so sweet. It’s great to have you back online again, too. Many thanks for the congrats and the kind words. You’ve been such a wonderfully supportive friend and such a prolific writer. I look forward to many new releases and posts from you in 2015. You are much closer to that magic moment when the clock strikes midnight then I am. I lift my cuppa tea to you! 🙂
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Nice job! Good luck with your proposals. I’ll be working on one this coming month as well. 🙂
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Hi, Lynn! So great to have you pop in and say hello. Many thanks, and I’ll be cheering you on with your latest. A little bird told me you’re writing cozies now. I soooo love a good mystery 🙂
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Sounds as if you are going to top and eventful year with another installment of bigger and better in 2015. Best wishes for the coming year. You’ll knock this one out of the park.
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That’s so sweet of you to say, Gemma, my SUPER PROLIFIC writer friend! You continue to amaze me with all that you accomplish (and seemingly so effortlessly). It’s been a pleasure to connect with you. Thanks for the well wishes. I send them back to you with equal enthusiasm for the coming year. Cheers! 🙂
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Such a nice post, (how New Year’s Eve has evolved for your family) wishing you continued success and knowing you will be recognized/interviewed on national TV regarding your exciting novels soon! Jody
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Hey, you! Such a delight to have you pop in! You make me smile with your wonderfully supportive thoughts. Here’s wishing you and your DH a super cheerful New Year. 2015 is right around the corner and I’m sure it will hold wonderful surprises for both of us. Thanks for sharing the last moments of 2014 with me! 🙂
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Happy New Year, Mae. I’ve enjoyed each and every one of your blogs, even though I don’t always comment. I hope your new year is a wonderful for you as 2014 was!
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Stanalei, it is always such a pleasure to have you drop by. Many thanks for your support and your warm wishes for the coming year. You are one of my oldest online friends. Can you believe we’ve been at this a full two years already?
I’m sending you wishes for the very best in 2015. May all your dreams come true!
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Wishing you the highest success and the richest blessings for 2015! Happy New Year Mae and enjoy that lovely romantic dinner with your hubby!
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So lovely to have you pop in on the last day of the year, Debbie. Thanks for the well wishes. It’s hard to believe a whole year has passed, but it’s been a great one. I’m sending you joyful wishes for this New Year’s Eve and a parcel of good tidings for 2015. As always, you know I’ll be looking forward to more of your intriguing blog posts and your wonderful stories. Thanks for being such a great friend!
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2014 was a great year for you, and 2015 will be stellar. I love reading your books and blog posts and am grateful for our friendship. I like the way you took stock and then looked forward. That’s the way to start a new year off right. Cheers to you and may blessings fill your life!
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Thanks for all those kind words, Flossie. I love our friendship too and always look forward to your latest, whether blog posts or new enthralling Wytchfaes. Here’s to both of us rocking it in 2015! Happy New Year!
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Hi Mae,
I’m late to the party again. You are a real inspiration to me. I didn’t get near as much accomplished this year as I hoped, but now that the 2015 has hit I can’t wait to get started. You read 65 books last year?! I can’t believe it. Thanks for being a wonderful critique partner who has encouraged me to continue writing and made my writing so much richer. Wait till you reread much of Talon’s story. I’m a better writer for knowing you. Sincerely, Mary E. Merrell (I gotta get reading. Or at least set a goal!)
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Aw, hi, dear friend. So glad to have you drop by. You are a sweetheart with such kind words, and I can’t wait to see what’s new with Talon and his gang,.
Yes, I love reading, I do it every night before going to bed. As much as I love to write, I can’t imagine a world without books. Happy New Year!
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Mae, I love all the things you’ve accomplished this past year — and I know you’ll have even more wonderful things to report on next year. 🙂 It’s easy to forget just how much we do get done, because we want to do more and more, so it’s great to list it all out, and give ourselves a pat on the back (we don’t do that enough either!) Wishing you a great 2015. I’m looking forward to your great books and blog posts!
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Happy New Year, Donna! You’re right that so many times it seems like we just spin our wheels, not accomplishing things by leaps and bounds. Looking back over the last year really helps put achievements in perspective. Hopefully, I can be equally (or more so) productive in 2015.
Wishing you the very best ahead as wheel. You know I’m a lifelong fan of anything you write! 🙂
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Congrats on the new contract(s) Mae! Congrats on your first indie and indie print books!!! Love the cover on SI. Good luck on all your goals!
My plans this year include writing. Period. lol Not to have another burnout from trying to do too much. I first goal and hope is to write/finish some of the books I’ve already purchased covers for– in hopes of climbing onto the indie publishing choo-choo with you and many other friends and writers. Yes, I do things backward a lot. 🙂
Wishing you a prosperous and productively successful 2015 dear friend!
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Hi, Calisa. So happy to have you drop by and so happy to hear you’re energized for the new year with writing goals. It’s wonderful to know you have so much planned. Wishing you loads of success on the indie front and with all of your other goals. Happy 2015, my friend!
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