At the end of every year, I write a reflection post about where I’m at, not just in my writing life, but also in my personal life and how it all correlates.
I’m officially calling 2024 the Year of Revision.
In my writing life, I signed with my agent in January and revised three novels for her. We went out on sub with all three! I also completed three R&Rs for editors and tried out for an IP project for the first time. It was a lot of revision. Hopefully all of my hard work will result in something fabulous, but publishing is tough and unpredictable. All I can do is focus on writing the best books I can.
When I look back on what I loved about my writing life this past year, it’s the time I spent with my critique partners eating pancakes. It was meeting Julie Soto at her launch event at Under the Cover. It was attending LitUP and meeting my agency siblings, Randy Ribay and Ellen Oh. I even met some of my author heroes, including Holly Black, Ruta Sepetys, and more. We all grabbed ice cream and BBQ together afterward, and it meant so much to me.
Spending time with good people who love writing and reading books is peak vibes.
Most unpredictable of all was the moment my toddler found my first published novel. It has a photo of me on the back, and she recognized me. When she realized I’m an author, she said WOW.
I want to harness that WOW magic in 2025.
In my personal life, I left my job at the library, not knowing what was in my future, and started working at Writers House as a contractor after interning there. I finally visited New York City, the place I always dreamed about but was always out of reach. I got to grab lunch with my publishing mentors. With their help and guidance, I got the opportunity to interview with Penguin Random House, which is where I now work in Art Rights and Permissions. I specifically work with audiobooks and large print adult titles. It’s been such an incredible dream. I could’ve never predicted it at the beginning of the year. I’ve learned so much at PRH, and I look forward to what I’ll learn next year. (I really appreciated experiencing Summer Fridays for the first time. I also participated in PRH’s wellness program, which allows us to take wellness activities. When I took a look at their list and spotted sailing lessons, I decided why the hell not. I’m now a certified small boat sailor. Cheers to small, unexpected adventures.)
Aside from career changes, my husband took us to Hawaii for our third wedding anniversary. It was the honeymoon we never got to take, and it was beautiful. Even better? Our toddler continues to grow and thrive. I love watching her personality develop and shine.
Beyond motherhood and publishing and working, I finally made it a point to carve out time that had nothing to do with any of it. I found myself reconnecting with Nancy Drew games, which has been really good for my mental health. The fandom is so positive and fun, I’m really grateful for the space. I’m currently playing Labyrinth of Lies.
That said, there’s been hard times, too. As I type this, my 14-year-old cat Bogart’s health is going downhill, fast. I don’t think he has a few more weeks with us. I never expected him to leave us so soon. But I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about that yet.
Anyway, last year, I wanted to call 2024 my dream year. In some ways, it was. In some ways, it wasn’t. When I look at my personal life and writing life, I see one thread. Revision. A revision of my career. A revision of my agent. I revised three books. I completed three more revisions for editors. And ultimately, there will be more revision of how I’m going to balance it all next year.
In 2025, I don’t know what’s in store for me. I think I’m done guessing or wishing. All I’m going to do is focus on what I can control, day-by-day, and hope for the best.
I’ve been at this for a long time, and I don’t have any plans on giving up…even if my road requires more revisions.
What was your year like? How does that shape your goals for next year?
~SAT
Want to see what’s happened throughout my years of blogging?
- 2023: A Whirlwind Year
- 2022: My Complete Year
- 2021: The Year of Dramatic, Unfinished Change
- 2020: The Strangest Writing Year (Hopefully?)
- 2019 reflective: 2020 Author Goals
- Setting 2018 Writing Goals
- 2017 Wasn’t My Writing Year
- 2016: Dear Writers, 2017 can be your year!
Discover more from Shannon A. Thompson
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This was the year I set out to finish my first juvenile novel in a while. And I did! Then I decided I should divide it into two parts to make it fit the middle grade audience better. I published the first part and the second one is ready for its final revision early next year.
But! I also worked and pushed hard during the election, only to see the voters choose a man — any man, no matter how vile — over the best qualified woman candidate. Now our country is going to go through some things.
It’s really thrown me off my stride. The hopeful, cozy fantasy I wrote no longer seems to fit the times. I’ve had to pause and recalibrate, and I’m not sure what my next writing project will even be.
Congratulations on finishing your novel! I am with you on the feelings about the election. My energy has been so low since then. If it’s worth any encouragement, many readers will be reaching for cozy escapist fantasy books for comfort. ❤
~SAT