Sunday 20 December 2015

My Writing Year 2015


Today I am going to be looking back at all the lovely things that have happened in 2015 (excluding general story sales or publications).

January - The year started as usual with teacakes and goal setting with writing chum, Tracy Fells. I joined the RNA New Writers' Scheme and author Ben Adams wrote a guest  post.

February - Met Karen Aldous in London for a celebrity make-over with daughter Gemma as a prize win.

March - A fanfare to celebrate the Publication and Launch party for story collection The Last Rose. As part of my bog tour I was guest on these  blogs The Write Romantics, Anne Harvey, Write Minds Write Place, Karen Aldous, Ben Adams, Never too Late to Write.

April - My first serial, Charlotte's War, was published in The People's Friend. I had an article published in Writing Magazine on writing serials. Patsy Collins and Samantha Tonge were blog guests. Went to the Riot Jive Weekend on Hayling Island.

May - Had a wonderful holiday to Vengen in Switzerland and a weekend at Corfe Castle. Alison May was my blog guest. I am guest on A Woman's Wisdom blog.

June - Had three lovely guests on my blog: Julie Shackman, Malcolm Welshman and The People's Friend Fiction editor, Shirley Blair talking about writing serials for the magazine.

July - I attended my first RNA Writers' Conference in London. Deirdre Palmer was my blog guest and I had a lovely boating holiday on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

August - Entered the #PitchCB contest and had two agents 'favourite' my novel pitch. Had a story in The People's Friend Annual 2016. Merryn Allingham was my blog guest. I was asked to be competition judge for the SWWJ John Walter Salver award.

September - Had my second serial, Life at Babcock published in The People's Friend magazine. I was interviewed by Doug McPherson for his article on breaking into serials in Writers' Forum. Writing chum Tracy Fells and I joined forces to discuss writing buddies in Lyn Hackles' 'Novel Ideas' column in writing Magazine. I was featured author on the Writing and Wellness blog. Had a weekend in Bordeaux with my girlfriends. Went on a wonderful research trip to Skopelos and Alonissos and finally finished my novel.

October - Sold my 100th story to The People's Friend. Samantha Tonge and Julia Gibbs were guests on my blog.

November - Went to the RNA Winter Party in London. Patsy Collins and Leonora Frances were my blog guests. I was guest on Elaina James' and Susanna Bavin's blogs. Had my novel back from my RNA NWS reader.

December - I was special guest at the SWWJ Christmas tea in London, along with Sir Tim Rice, where I awarded the prizes for the story competition. Had four Christmas stories published in magazines. I was guest on Rachel Brimble's  blog.

Now I'm off to have a sherry and a mince pie so all that's left is to wish all you lovely readers a very Happy Christmas and thank you all for supporting my blog through another year!

39 comments:

  1. What a wonderfully busy year. Congratulations on all your successes. May 2016 continue to be a good one for you, hopefully seeing the publication of your first novel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would certainly be nice. Hope 2016 is a good one for you too x

      Delete
  2. Happy Christmas, Wendy and well done on such a productive year. May your success continue in 2016.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a fantastic and successful year you've had Wendy. Well deserved!! Wish you a lovely Christmas and continued success in 2016. Thank you for running such a lovely blog and for sharing your experiences. A bigger thank you for all your support. Cheers!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very welcome, Nicola and all the very best to you too.

      Delete
  4. Congratulations on a fantastic year, Wendy! Hope you have a lovely Christmas and best wishes for more success in 2016 x

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's lovely to read about your success, Wendy. Here's to even more in 2016. Have a lovely Christmas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ... and to you, Natalie. Thanks for your lovely company at the conference.

      Delete
  6. An eventful and fabulous year Wendy! So much work and success. Fond memories of your gorgeous makeover and the lovely walk along the canal at conference. Can't wait to hear more great news in 2016. Have a woonderful Christmas! Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, how I loved my makeover, Karen. It seems ages ago now but at leaast I got to have 'cheekbones' for one day!

      Delete
  7. An eventful and fabulous year Wendy! So much work and success. Fond memories of your gorgeous makeover and the lovely walk along the canal at conference. Can't wait to hear more great news in 2016. Have a woonderful Christmas! Xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good luck for 2016 and fingers crossed for 'agent news'. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll keep you posted, Elaine. Thanks for being so welcoming at the conference :)

      Delete
  9. A great year, and I'm sure there's a lot more to follow in 2016.

    Have a lovely Christmas and New Year. :-)x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Many congratulations for this well-deserved wonderful year, Wendy. I have really enjoyed reading all your blog posts. Long may your success continue and I'm looking forward to more fabulous news of your stories and your novel in the New Year. Have a very happy Christmas! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really glad you've enjoyed my blog, Joanna... and thanks for your support this year.

      Delete
  11. Blimey, what a terrific year, Wendy. Did you really squeeze all that in! Think you deserve a few days off (that's all mind you) before we meet to set new goals. Now where's my sherry xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm enjoying a writing-free week, Tracy. See you for teacakes and goal setting in the new year x

      Delete
  12. Gosh, what an incredible year. You make it look so easy - a snap of your fingers and het presto. another story sale, but I know really you have put in lots of work to make your year such a success. Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Carol. I think that everyone would be surprised at how much they'd acjieved in a year if they actually wrote it down. Happy Chistmas.

      Delete
  13. A good year for you, Wendy. I hope 2016 is even better.

    Happy Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ... and to you, Patsy. Hope to see you again in 2016.

      Delete
  14. What a super year, Wendy :-) Happy Christmas and have a great 2016 xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas too, Teresa (and to the furry ones).

      Delete
  15. What a year you've had. Every best wish to you and yours for the festive season.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a successful New Year, Wendy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Keith. A Merry Christmas to you too.

      Delete
  17. Wow, what a year you've had, Wendy and I have a feeling 2016 is going to be even better..! I've enjoyed sharing your 'journey', so keep up the good work and enjoy your well-earned rest over Christmas!
    Helen x

    ReplyDelete
  18. A fantastic year, Wendy, and you deserve all your mega success too! Wishing you and yours and happy, peaceful Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Happy Christmas and all the best for 2016.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow what a year Wendy but what hard work has gone into all these achievements.
    Congratulations, thank you for all your blog posts, have a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and happy 2016 xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very welcome, Sue. Thanks for being so supportive of my blog.

      Delete