365 days came and went kind of like the flash of a paparazzi flashbulb. But a lot happened in our world and in our lives. In this little space I call my blog, a lot happened as well.
- The guests who stopped in as my Featured Authors shared their books and some of their stories as writers. Sandra Cox, Bish Denham, Cathrina Constantine, J.H. Moncrief, authors appearing in the Heroes Lost, Mysteries of Death and Life anthology, Yolanda Renee, Lexa Cain, Donna Galanti.
- Lots of Free Books and Gifts went out to those who put their names into the hat. Some of those books came from Featured Authors, so thanks again for being so generous with your work, authors.
- I went to France and then to Texas! I failed to buy my cowgirl boots the way I promised myself, but Texas will be there for a while and so will cowgirl boots.
I met a few goals:
- I moved from Blogger to WordPress with only a few glitches and losing only a few people who followed me each week. Sorry about that, but I’m very grateful for those who found a way to stay with me.
- I placed the third book of a trilogy with Dancing Lemur Press. Some Very Messy Medieval Magic will come out in spring 2018 and wind up the story Alligators Overhead and The Great Time Lock Disaster started.
- One of my short stories, Matilijas, was Judges’ Pick in the Creative Writing Institutes anthology called Lost. Dec. 2017
- Bouhaki, a novella, was among the winners of the Cats of Distinctive Character contest that Book Angels ran.
- I came in second in August’s WEP, Denise’s and Yolanda’s amazing short story contest.
- I finished the 40 books in my Goodread’s challenge, but I’m kind of in the camp of not doing that again. Have to think about it.
What do I want to do differently in 2018–AKA New Year’s Resolutions, which I never make, but like to run around in my head just for fun.
- Continue featuring authors. I really enjoy doing this, but I think I’ll tweak it a bit to let the authors have more input.
- Create more posts that include other disciplines or areas of interest. I love writing and writers, but I also love history and travel and things I can glean from people who aren’t writers.
- Take more time off. I find that if I break free for a while, I’m more eager to post and it’s easier. I hope the posts will be more interesting as well.
This month’s Featured Author is really 11 authors in the anthology, FULL DARK. Here’s what the organizer, Melissa Maygrove has to say about this collection of short stories.
*What gave you the idea to do an anthology?
Sometimes stories or random scenes pop into my head. Usually they fit the genre I write, but sometimes they don’t. That’s what happened with the anthology that eventually became FULL DARK. I kept having ideas for twisted, Twitlight-Zone-like shorts, so I jotted them down. (I’ve learned to write ideas down before I forget, even if I don’t know what I’m going to do with them.) When another anthology project I was contributing to fell through, I decided it was a good time to go forward with this one.
I felt sad for the authors who had been displaced and was glad I could offer them an alternative. When hurricane Harvey hit my city, that gave the project even more direction and purpose. We voted to donate all the proceeds to the Gary Sinise Foundation. It’s an organization that does many wonderful things for veterans and first responders.
*What were your biggest hurdles to completing the task?
I’ve published before, but only my own novels. I’ve never organized a multi-author project.
To add to that, I became a single parent after committing to this. I had already increased my work hours in the recent past, and setting out on my own with three teens stole even more of my time. The project was put on hold for months, then surged to a near-impossible pace to meet the release date. I don’t know how we made it, but we did.
The contributing authors stepped up and met some insane deadlines. They are true professionals.
Interesting tidbit…
I managed to keep my automobiles from flooding during the hurricane, only to have my van stolen out of my driveway shortly after Christmas. I was shocked. What would someone want with a 14-year-old van?
Well, apparently, older autos are easier to steal. My van was recovered the next day with the ignition stripped. It had been used in a robbery!
It only has 80,000 miles and it’s paid for, so I’m praying it can be fixed.
Thanks for hosting me, Lee, and helping get the word out about our anthology. I was blessed to work with such talented authors.
*Thanks for being here, Melissa. You’ve had quite year, and you still came out in spite of some impossible odds. Next week we’ll hear from another contributor to Full Dark and learn about them and their story.
And here’s one more bit to wrap up my first post of 2018. Beverly Stowe McClure & Lynda Dietz: Origami book. Alexa: Sliding on the Edge (via my Email Connect offer) Thanks, Alexa for being on my mailing list. Stephanie: Print copy of Alligators Overhead. Thomas Anderson: The Tote with “I have a story to tell.” I’ll need your snail mail addresses, winners, so you can email me HERE.
Quote of the Week: New Year’s Day–Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. The very quotable Mark Twain
Now that we are well and truly onto a new year, are you assessing the past, looking to draw from mistakes and improve, or just taking it one day at a time to see how it plays out?
Stephanie@Fairday's Blog says
I am so excited to have won! My students are going to love Alligators Overhead! Yeah! What a great way to start the year. Congrats to all the other winners too!
Alexa says
Such an interesting post! I’d love to read more posts about history and travel! Those are subjects that are almost always fascinating.
Sorry about your van, Ms. Melissa! Praying it’ll be fixed as well!
Thanks for the book, Ms. Lee! I’m excited to read it! 😀
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbosityreviews.com
Elizabeth Seckman says
You had quite an eventful year!! Let’s hope for even more in 2018!!
Thanks for the shout out. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Elizabeth. I’ll be giving Full Dark the Full Month. I really enjoyed the stories. Loved yours.
Sandra Cox says
You’ve had quite a year, Lee. We always have self doubts don’t we? Just let me say, I’ve read your work and you are an incredible author. Congrats on the anthology.
Wishing you a 2018 filled with much success, happiness, and self-fulfillment.
C. Lee McKenzie says
That’s very kind of you, Sandra. I’ll have think about “incredible” for a while though. I’ve always thought “struggling” was my adjective.
Sandra Cox says
Now, Lee, you’re encroaching on mine if you use struggling. Ha.
C. Lee McKenzie says
🙂 I believe there are a large number of us encroaching upon each other in this category. At least we’re in good company.
Juneta says
Happy New Year. 2017 sounds like a good year for you. Wishing you a joyful and successful 2018. HUGS Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
C. Lee McKenzie says
Same to you, Juneta. So glad we’re connected online. It’s fun to exchange ideas and share posts with you.
Erika Beebe says
Happy New Year 🙂 I do think long breaks help so much. I’ve stepped back a bit from blogging so I can devote more time to my own writing. I’m so sorry Melissa, about your van. I wish folks invested in different options than creating tragedy for others when they need something.
Congratulations on all your writing accomplishments!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m planning some step backs this year. I love blogging, but the time just isn’t there for it if I want to finish some projects. And, yes, Melissa didn’t need the drama of that van theft.
Gary says
Hi Lee, here we go again. Okay WordPress comment section, here is my name, my email address, my website, my favourite flavour of ice cream, my favourite baseball team and whether I prefer tea or coffee! Sheesh!!
You’ve been one busy superstar author and it seems like that will continue. I read about Melissa’s van woes on Farcebook. Nice to see Melissa as the featured author or you must visit site. That’s after going through several hoops to get here. Then again, being your starstruckest fan, I was determined to get here.
Have a wonderfully positive and productive 2018, Lee.
Kind regards,
Penny’s human dad,
Gary
C. Lee McKenzie says
You are super-human dad of Penny the Awesome Internet Star for taking on those hurdles. I’m still wondering what the hell is going on? Did I just write hell? Yes, I did.
I’m going to try and figure out what WordPress is up to. Is there a real person out there that I can talk to? I doubt it. In the meantime, I do not expect you to continue wasting your time to satisfy some internet platform need. We can simply meet on FB and email and chat.
Gary says
It’s okay. Going through a few hurdles to actually leave a comment, is probably some sort of weird exercise. I’ve noticed that WordPress is starting to recognise my name, rank and cereal, sorry, serial number 🙂
Have a good one and thanks for your reply, Lee.
Penny’s human dad,
Gary
ShootingStarsMag says
I’m glad that moving to WordPress was fairly easy for you, and it sounds like you had a really nice year. Hopefully 2018 will be even BETTER. I love reading about writers and writing, but other topics would be really fun too. 🙂
-Lauren
C. Lee McKenzie says
You’re the best, Lauren. Thanks. We’ve hung out together for quite some time now. That’s really very nice. Hope you have a wonderful 2018.
Leslie S. Rose says
Happy New Year! I’d say your 2017 was a WOW! I’m excited to see where your blog is headed in 2018!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Waving, Leslie. Here’s to a wonderful 2018.
Liz A. says
Happy New Year. You got quite a bit accomplished. That’s always a good feeling.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Carrots on a stick, Liz. They keep me writing.
Loni Townsend says
I hope you get your cowgirl boots! And I understand the reluctance of pursuing the reading challenge again. Sometimes, it’s nice to just sit and enjoy a book.
It was great read Melissa’s account of the FULL DARK anthology. I’m glad she got her van back!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Those challenges do change the way you approach reading. I’m glad things turned out for Melissa, too. We just don’t need those kinds of complications in our lives.
Barbara says
It sounds as though 2017 was a good year for you, and 2018 is already shaping up nicely.
I’m also going to take more time away from my blog this year. I tend to get into a mindset where I feel I must do a blog post, and those posts are always the ones I’m unhappy with.
I wish you much happiness in 2018 maybe it will be the year for those cowgirl boots end up in your life and your wardrobe!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Those boots–or the lack thereof–are my one big disappointment. Not that CA doesn’t have boots, but I wanted some from Texas. Another goal for the future.
Enjoy your break. I’ll miss your wonderful posts, but I so understand the need to get away.
Lisa says
Cool post and I especially liked the Mark Twain quote at the end. Thank you so much for having “us” on your author spotlight. The anthology was such a great project to work on, and it was a first for me! Happy New Year!!!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’ve enjoyed the anthology and will post my review soon. My first review of 2018! Have a wonderful new year.
Natalie Aguirre says
Love the title of your new book. Be sure to remember me for shouting out about it in Follower News when it releases. Sounds like you’ve accomplished a lot and have a good plan for next year. Happy New Year!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thank you so much for the offer to give this newest one a shout out. You’re always very generous. Here’s to another wonderful year when we can share our love of books together, Natalie.
Natalie Aguirre says
Any time. One of my goals is to see how I can help my writer friends more this year, Lee.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You’ve always done so much! More is going to amazing.
Melissa says
Thanks again for hosting me, Lee, and thanks to everyone for your kind comments. It has been quite a year! Here’s to a better one in 2018.
Lee, you and I have the same goal – getting some cowgirl boots. I live in Houston, though, so I have no excuse. LOL
Hilary says
Hi Lee and Melissa – sounds like a lot has been going on … congratulations to you both – but how awful about the van. I do hope it’s fixable … take care to you and your families and here’s to a productive 2018 – cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Hilary,
Hope 2018 finds you out and about doing interesting and exciting things that you can blog about. Here’s to staying connected yet another year.
Hilary says
Thanks Lee … I shall be in connectivity mode through 2018 … I’m sure of that – all the best to you down the coastline … happy year ahead – H
HR Sinclair says
I’m loving the title: Some Very Messy Medieval Magic
Wow Melissa, you had some year. I hope the van can be fixed, and without costing too much.
Happy New Year to everyone!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m glad you like the title. I was having fits trying to figure out what to call this one. I finally just plunked this down and it stuck. I was surprised when the publisher liked it. I thought they’d make me change it. That’s happened before.
Melissa’s story is shocking. She really didn’t need her van to be stolen, the used in a robber? She has to have a much better year ahead. I hope so.
Happy New Year, HR.
Stephanie@Fairday's Blog says
At the start of the new year I do like to take stock and think about the past year. I try to set goals for myself when it comes to blogging/reading/writing- but I don’t set goals in all areas of my life. Basically I try to look at what I have accomplished, and what I would realistically like to see happen in the new year.
Sounds like you have set some great goals for yourself and you accomplished a lot in 2017! Bravo! Here is to a happy and healthy 2018!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Taking stock is good. I forget what’s happened and I like seeing it down so I can say, “Hey, You actually did a few things!”
Don’t forget to give me your snail mail, so I can send you the book for your students.
Happy New Year, Stephanie.
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Your blog is always interesting. You do so many different things on it, and looks like 2018 will be even more exciting.
And thank you, thank you for the awesome prize. A great way to start the year. I emailed my address and hope it’s to your current one. Couldn’t find it on your link, so used one I had.
Happy New Year! Looking forward to more great posts.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Beverly. I think I’m not good at sticking with one theme, so my marketing talent is quite limited. However, if I tried to do it differently I know I’d fail. I’ll be sending you your Instant Book. I think you’ll like the idea. Happy New Year. See you a lot in 2018.
Pat Hatt says
Just keep on keeping on at our sea, no magic day comes to be. Sure great to reflect though and onward you can go. Breaks make it all the better when you come back. Or just getting posts done and then relaxing away as the schedule on out haha
C. Lee McKenzie says
Breaks! Yes. I’m greedy. I want more, so thanks for this comment. If the cats say it’s okay, then it is.
Vanessa Morgan says
Happy New Year!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Same to you, Vanessa. Hope to see you here this year.
Elephants Child says
Hooray for a year with rather a lot of achievements. Hooray for a year to start again.
I don’t do the resolution thing. Or even much looking back. I muddle along. It has worked for quite a number of years and I am a firm believer in not fixing the unbroken.
Thank you so much for featuring writers. This reader is very grateful.
A very Happy New Year to you and yours.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Loved those images on your blog…well, I always do, but today when I visited, they were spectacular. Thanks so much for letting me enjoy what you enjoy.
As to those resolutions, I’m in agreement. I have a couple of plans, but beyond that, no way am I committing to a year of something I know I can’t possible follow through on.
Writers are my love. They are incredible, so I will continue to feature them. They work hard. They might never make it big, but they give their craft their all.
Have a great 2018!
Annalisa Crawford says
There are some fantastic literary achievements in your list, congrats on all of them!
Full Dark is a great book, some cracking stories in it 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I agree. And Full Dark will be the first book I review this year. Happy New Year, Annalisa.
Jemi Fraser says
You had a very successful year! It’s always a smart plan to look back at all the good things – they’re always there even when they’re a bit hidden at the time.
I hope Melissa’s van is fixable! That’s so frustrating!!
Wishing you all the very best for 2018 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Jemi,
I couldn’t believe that van story. What a pain and how frustrating for someone already carrying a full load. Melissa’s a champ!
I hope you have a wonderful 2018.
Thomas Anderson says
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
Happy New Year to you, dear friend!
I can sense the satisfaction you feel for having accomplished so much in 2017. Congratulations are in order. I appreciate your decision to include a wider range of topics on your blog in the coming year for people like me who are not officially part of the writing community. I found your 2017 posts about travel and history interesting and educational.
I enjoyed reading Melissa Maygrove’s account of putting together the Full Dark anthology. As I told you I used to work in television news, a medium in which insane deadlines were a daily challenge. Like you I am happy to work at my own pace at this stage of the game. At the same time I applaud those who thrive and excel under pressure.
I am delighted to learn that I won the tote bag, Cheryl. Surely my granddaughter will appreciate receiving it for her birthday. However the link you provided did not work and therefore I was unable to leave my snail mail address. That being the case, would you please email me so that I can send you my address?
My email: [email protected]
Thank you very much, C-Lee. I wish you a safe, happy and prosperous 2018, dear friend!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Happy New Year and thank you so much for hanging in with me and my more writerly blog. Let’s see what I can cook up this year to interest you.