...when we reflect on the past year and talk about all the wonderful things we hope to do next year. So here goes but don't worry: I won't be making any new year resolutions, apart from the one to eat less and exercise more but then I make that one every morning.
So how was 2011? Those of you who follow my blog (thank you, thank you) will know that it started at a very low point for me. In 2010 I was in hospital twice and over Christmas my lovely, lovely dad's health deteriorated and he passed away in January. Talk about being kicked when I was already down. Anyway, the first past of the year was spent crawling my way back up to the light, which was not a lot of fun but at last I feel I have finally got there, thanks to my GP and support from friends and family. One of the side-effects of my depression was that I could no longer write with any sense of pleasure or competence. So I decided not to try for several months. Eventually I slowly, slowly picked up the threads of my latest manuscript and plodded on, limping at first, until by October I was moving again. I am now on the final edits and hope to have it ready for submission by February. I am a slow writer by nature but the progress on this particular manuscript has been glacial. (Note to any editor or agent who may happen to be reading this--hollow laugh--I do not normally work this slowly.)
Any highs? Of course. The York Writers Conference was great although I was not on top form and you do need stamina for such events. It was nevertheless fabulous to meet up with friends and meet so many new and lovely people including, and in no particular order: Jane Smith, Nicola Morgan, Joanna Cannon, Sarah Callejo, Alison Morton, Emma Darwin and the fearsomely fantastic Carole Blake. (Apologies if I've missed anyone out. York University was heaving with writers and writerly people and I'm hopeless with names.)
As seen in a recent post here, I have been dismayed by the number of writers who have chosen to rush into self-publishing their work on Kindle. I won't go through it all again. I may be a dinosaur but I have always resisted joining any club that will accept anyone. I am worried about the state of book buying, selling and writing at the moment but I am enough of an optimist to believe it's not all going down the pan.
So, not exactly a vintage year. But I survived. And I'm writing again so I end the year on a positive note and am looking forward to 2012 and the formidable challenge of finding an agent and publisher. I'll keep you posted.
Happy New Year!
SALLY ZIGMOND
- Sally Zigmond
- I'm Sally Zigmond, writer of short stories and now a novel, HOPE AGAINST HOPE, described as a 'rich slice of Yorkshire Victoriana.' This is where I witter on about all things literary--and occasionally have a rant.
Glad to hear you are getting back to normal and able to look ahead to a promising future. You'd better find that agent and publisher. Both me and my mum are looking forward to a follow-up to Hope Against Hope!
ReplyDeleteSending you all my good wishes for a better year, Sally, and success with finding an agent and publisher. x
ReplyDeleteLifting my glass to you Sally. Well done for bringing yourself back from a dark place. May 2012 exceed your expectations in every way. Hugs x
ReplyDeleteThings can only get better, Sally - All the best for 2012
ReplyDeleteLovely strong post. Good luck with the revisions and I look forward to reading more of your blog in 2012. Ciao Catherine
ReplyDeletewell done, lovely Sally. It was so awful seeing you seem so low at the beginning of the year and I'm delighted that you've reached a very different place since then. Apart from your loveliness, I also admire your standards and enormous integrity. Stick in there and don't ever compromise on those, not that I can imagine you ever would. All the best for 2012 xxx
ReplyDeleteSally, I wish you a good 2012. Bless you for your honesty, guts and wisdom. vxx
ReplyDeleteGlad that things seems to be much more positive at the start of 2012. I hope this year is all that you wish it to be.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck and Good Health in 2012, Sally.
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to meet you at York in March after tweeting in the previous months. I particularly enjoyed our chat one breakfast over great eggs and rubbish coffee.
ReplyDeleteYour blogs have not only guidance and insight, but hard common-sense. If it means anything, you're one of my Google reader subscriptions - I don't have many.
All the very best for 2012 and good luck agent and publisher hunting.
Here's hoping 2012 is a better year, Sally. You deserve it. It wasn't good watching a friend seem so low. Good luck with the search for an agent. I have you to thank for mine, and I will always remember that.
ReplyDeleteMy cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
ReplyDeleteGood Health