As a writer, this year brought a lot of hard work, fun, and unexpected happy experiences in many places. Reflecting back, I learned that the people you met years ago can re-surface and bring opportunities into your life that you could have never planned for. The wonderful Campbell sisters at the Farm at Weathers Creek who hosted a writing workshop I attended as a student in 2009 contacted me to host the first-ever Write Naked Workshop on their farm. One of Triangle Writers‘ members who used to be in my critique group years ago designed a logo for one of my clients earlier this year, and now I’m hiring him to design my next book cover!
Yup, this guy.
On a personal level, a guy whose locker was two doors down from mine when we were 14 resurfaced last year. We went to the same college a decade ago, yet our lives took different directions. (As can be expected of engineers and writers.) He resigned from his job in New York a few months ago and moved here to North Carolina where we are currently under contract on a house! I’ll say it again: People you met years ago can re-surface and bring opportunities into your life that you could have never planned for!
January – I joined Twitter! Follow me @writenaked.
February – I joined the American Society of Journalists & Authors. Attend their annual conference in April and I will see you there. Follow #ASJA2014 on Twitter for more scoop.
March – One of my poems was chosen to be displayed around Winston-Salem’s Arts District through the Poetry in Plain Sight program.
April – Attended my first ASJA conference in New York. Read my breakdown of the writer conference here.
May – Celebrated my 3-Year Anniversary of giving notice to the 9-to-5 by sharing my resignation letter.
June – Broke a lot of first-time-evers with a writing workshop at the Farm at Weathers Creek. This was the first workshop inspired by my Write Naked blog, it was the first 2-day overnight workshop I taught, and the first time I instructed while sitting in a rocking chair on a porch!
July – Got approved by ASJA to come to their headquarters in Times Square and present a live webcast on blogging and SEO.
August – Summer is a slow season? Not for this freelancer. I had one of my busiest weeks ever meeting with a screenwriter, conducting interviews for a client’s testimonials webpage, juggling appointments and my vomiting dog, all of which caused me to miss a press conference AND the 2-year anniversary of Write Naked!
September – Started Spanish lessons to re-fresh my language skills so that I can offer Spanish SEO to clients in the New Year.
October – Found myself falling back into the 9-to-5 when my boyfriend and I moved in together.
November – Showed a client how important SEO content is for their website after they cut their budget. Watch web traffic drop.
December – Chose a fantastic designer to create the cover of my next book. Yes, that’s right. I plan to publish it later next year. Title, jacket copy, and all the scoop will be shared soon!
Remember what I learned last year as a writer?
What an eventful year! I know you’re proud – and should be. May 2014 be even better.
-Bill Stroupe
Thanks, Bill! Wish you the best, too!
Awesome!!!
Thanks!
We met at your conference in the ASJA HQ in Times Sq. Your example inspires me!
How’s your Spanish coming along? If you need any tips I can help – living in South America for nearly 20 years has taught me a lot!
Yes, I remember you! Thanks for checking about my Spanish lessons. They are going well. 🙂 I actually just got new workbooks today! Tips are always welcome. It seems conversations help the most since I need to think quick. Flash cards have been the best for memorizing new terms. Half of my learning has been digital. I’ve gotten some great apps that not only help me visually remember words, but they also speak them so I can learn the correct pronunciations. Hope you’re enjoying your holidays!
I learned Spanish while still living in the States, and have since learned a few more languages. I think you can apply the same rules for writing to languages – positive attitude, perseverance and hard work…which you already know a lot about!