31 Dec Here We Go! Happy New Year!

Here we are at the end of another challenging year. But somehow, we made it. I’m not sure I like the “new normal,” but we don’t have much choice.

When my friends had books releasing in 2020 and couldn’t do much in-person publicity, I felt so bad for them. I was determined to help publicize their wonderful creations while thinking how lucky I was that my newest book wasn’t coming out until April 2021…you know, when the pandemic would be over. Ha! What’s the expression? Man plans, and God laughs? Talk about counting those chickens before they’re hatched! Yep, a pandemic release is tough. But just as I hopefully helped others on their journey, the wonderful kidlit family tweeted and talked, posted and publicized, and generally boosted me up when A FLOOD OF KINDNESS was released. I am grateful for that!

I am no Pollyanna. If truth be told, I don’t always look at the bright side, and I am a champion worrier. Yes, it’s been a tough few years, but some good things happened despite or even because of the pandemic. Here are a few.

1. Vaccines! No political comments, please. I believe in them, and I am incredibly grateful for them.
2. Ok, we’re all Zoomed out, but this year, my local critique group was able to add an outstanding new member even though she lives in a different state. And we can meet in our pajamas if we want! So yes, I’m thankful for Zoom, which has brought so many people together, including “The Friday Morning Write Club.”
3. I had a fantastic book launch with illustrator supreme, Blythe Russo. Thank you, Brazos Bookstore! I wanted an in-person launch, but Blythe wouldn’t have been able to join me, so…lemonade!
4. I sold my first PB biography to Kar-Ben Publishing at the beginning of the year, and I got to meet publisher/ editor Joni Sussman in real life! (We wore masks :))
5. Critique Buddies! I’m ALWAYS grateful for them, but even more this year! Whether we are in a group together or exchange manuscripts, I am thankful for each person.
6. I couldn’t do any marketing at all without my marketing groups,#PictureBookScribblers and #2021WordBirds.
7. It’s a lot of screen time, but my online writing groups were there when I needed them. Thank you, Caldecoots, Moonie’s Critique Haven,12×12 Picture Book Challenge, Courage to Create, and more.
8. Although we didn’t get to take planned trips for my 70^th birthday or our 50^th wedding anniversary, our kids and grandkids surrounded us in grand style outside. (No pics of the grandkids, but trust me, they’re pretty adorable. And I’m still planning to go on that anniversary trip… someday!)
9. I am super thankful for friends and family who stayed connected even when it was difficult. That includes both online and IRL friends. Local friends came up with safe ways to meet, and I’m so grateful for that. Also, two groups of online like-minded women added so much to this pandemic life.
10. While we may not have been able to gather in our usual way, our weather allows us to gather outside pretty much all year round. (When it’s not oppressively hot or flooding)
11. BONUS: As always, I’m grateful to my supportive hubs, who is my greatest cheerleader when it comes to my writing…pandemic or not.

Having said all this, my cynical side is bracing for another challenging year. But I’ll try to remember that we can find surprises and beauty anywhere. Like the flower in this picture, we’re strong.

My friends and family have escaped these few years relatively unscathed. I feel terrible for those who didn’t, and I think about the front-line workers who have to deal with this virus every day. I hope we can all work together to make their jobs easier.

Stay well, and I hope that I’ll see some of you SAFELY and IN PERSON in 2022.

Happy New Year!

Ellen