Hi, everyone. As we come up on the end of the year, I thought I would take a look back at 2018.
My most popular post this year was Been a Long Time Since I Rocked and Rolled, wherein I talk about the architects of modern rock music. I was fortunate enough to see Jerry Lee Lewis perform twice this year, once at Viva Las Vegas and once in our local area. You all know what a big part music plays in my life and in my books, so no great shock that I was thinking about how we’re losing these heroes.
I attended two author conferences: Writers for New Orleans, and InDScribe. I met some wonderful authors, took great courses, and made new friends. In other words, I branched out for the good of my career. I had a really good time, despite some trepidation. I toward introversion, like so many authors, so being on panels in front of, and with, total strangers was a big stretch — and it paid off.
I also did an escape room in New Orleans, which was a brand new and splendid experience. You learn a great deal about teamwork, even when you fail to escape (as our group did). Laughter and good fun were had nevertheless.
I joined Romance Writers of America, as well as three individual chapters (From The Heart, Silicon Valley Romance Writers, and Hearts Through History). Once again, I found myself making new friends and getting some great education. The Silicon Valley chapter membership saw me doing a book signing at a major book store for the first time!
I read 154 books, ranging across genres and subject matter. I plan to read 100 in 2019, and if I exceed the challenge again that will be great.
I wrote a lot … and found that my original project just didn’t work out as I’d planned. However, it wasn’t all bad. I pulled the best parts out and created the Pocketful of Stories series, three of which have been released. If you want the first one, Last Stop: Storyville, for free, you can join my mailing list here.
One of the tales from that original project, “Ghosts of Tupelo,” came in 4th in the Word Weavers competition, and was one of the selections for the Dark Visions anthology.
I am currently working on a new novel, featuring Harmon Boudreaux (you may remember him from Bayou Fire) getting a second chance at love. Of course, nothing is going smoothly for Harmon and Hope, but that’s half the fun!
Finally, I continued to face health challenges due to Hashimoto’s disease and the complications that autoimmune disease brings to the table. I know that things could be a lot worse, and I’m grateful for every day that I have. I’m also grateful to every one of my readers and fans/friends. Those of us who tell stories are always thankful for those who listen.
Dark Visions is now available as an audiobook. Kasi Hollowell has given voice to 34 tales, including my award-winning work, “Ghosts of Tupelo.”
Sharon E. Cathcart 