2019 Wrap Up
Can you believe we’re at the end of 2019?
This year was pretty, um, challenging for me, so I’m glad to be moving on to 2020! But before I do that, I wanted to give you a rundown of everything that’s happened this year. I’m sure even I will be surprised as I go through it!
January
In January of this year, I finished the first draft of my second novel, The Prophecy of the Codex! (I plan to release this to the world in 2020!) I didn’t hit my goal of finishing the editing in 2019, but I have some lofty editing (and writing) goals for the first half of 2020! I appreciate all the positive vibes sent my way.
February
The next month, I started a brand new novel in a completely new genre. (Well, paranormal romance still has the supernatural aspect, I guess.) It’s on hold for a bit — probably until I finish the Codex series — but I definitely have to get it written and released to the world. It’s too fun not to!
My debut novel, The Secret of the Codex, also was ranked #1 on Maverick Moses’ list of favorite books of 2018! I was so honored.
March
In March, I announced my first email newsletter! I mostly kept it up for the rest of 2019, though I missed a month here and there. Here’s to a more consistent 2020!
Plus, I started offering book editing services!
April
April brought more than showers. I announced that I was joining YouTube (AKA #authortube) and released my first video! I also started the first book in my Codex YA spinoff series — I’ve still got at least a year until I start seriously working on this one, but it was so fun getting some ideas out of my head and onto the computer screen!
Consequently, this was also the month I first ended up in the ER. But I also got glasses — just the small beginning of the big transformation that took place in my life in 2019.
And I also read my favorite book of 2019 in April: Off the Record by Taylor Danae Colbert. It was AWESOME, people.
May
Ah, May. The month I did like 3000 events at work (not literally, of course), went to Motor City Comic Con, and ended up in the ER again. My body was really telling me to slow down, wasn’t it? I am known for being stubborn… I also learned the lesson that the things that matter in life are 1. connecting with those you love 2. following your dreams and 3. maintaining your health. Nothing else really matters.
June
In June, I focused on healing. I got right back on the diet I started as soon as I got home from the hospital in April (and had to suspend for the May hospital visit), and it helped, but I started to learn that while health definitely does START with food, it’s not the whole picture. July was coming, after all.
July
In July, my system gave up. Like, GAVE. UP. I was barely functioning. Fortunately, it happened just as I was starting a full two weeks off of work, and I had my first appointment with a holistic doctor scheduled for a few days later. Timing is everything, folks. And the timing of my body’s giving up and me finding the doctor I did — when I did — was absolutely perfect.
I also ran a Kindle Countdown for The Secret of the Codex, and it did really well! It was a really fun experience.
And just for fun, near the end of July (because I was off work), I wrote. Like actually worked on the third book in the Codex series. I finally started the book and added 8,000 words — it was life-giving, people. Seriously.
Moral of the story:
Do what you were put on this earth to do. (click to tweet)
A lesson I’m still learning.
August
In August, I launched my Patreon page! It’s not super active yet, but I have plans for a relaunch in 2020. It was too much for me to take on last year, but this year I’m going in with a plan. Stay tuned!
I also celebrated my one-year anniversary of my debut novel being revealed to the world! Still one of the best experiences of my life. AND I announced that it would be getting a makeover!
September
In September, on Labor Day, I wrote and published a mini-ebook as a bonus gift for my email subscribers. It’s all about the questions to ask (and the answers you’re looking for) when choosing an editor for your book. I love how it turned out! If you’d like a copy, just sign up here.
I also got to participate in my first YouTube livestream to help Maverick celebrate his book launch! It was such an amazing experience and so fun!
A talented friend on Instagram, Shancurty Ignacio, also drew Kayla! It was so incredible to see her on paper!
October
October was when I joined Taylor Danae Colbert in a Release Day Takeover, also a first for me! I announced that I was planning an Instagram for Authors course and got amazing feedback. I also relaunched my website with Squarespace (and the invaluable help of my husband, Andrew, who incidentally does Squarespace web design).
I also got to hold the updated version of The Secret of the Codex in my hands in October. #authorgoals
November
November marked the relaunch for The Secret of the Codex! And, also, I QUIT MY DAY JOB!! Yes, I became a full-time entrepreneur. It’s been crazy and I’m still working out the details, but it’s been so good.
AND I put the Instagram for Authors (<— find out more at that link!) course up for presale, wrote this blog post about Thanksgiving with fruits of the spirit mantras, and my health really improved.
December
December saw the launch of the Instagram for Authors course, a decrease in my health (the holidays are legit stressful), and the rise of planning Melissa. *insert angels singing* I bought The Content Planner and have been planning like crazy. And discovering (slowly) that I love it!
What a year! There have definitely been a lot of high points, but I’m honestly happy it’s behind me. And yet…I learned so much, grew exponentially, and became the person that I needed to be so I could become the person I want to be. Hard things have a way of doing that, don’t they?
Here’s to an amazing 2020! 🥂 Happy New Year!
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