Farewell 2020. Skidaddle. Shoo. Git. Goodbye.

It's the last day of 2020. I'm not sorry to see it go. 

I do realize that rolling over into a new year is not going to make 2020 issues go away. That's unrealistic, of course. But in my mindset, I can start making a difference.

I worried a bit this past year, was even fearful, at times. I'll admit, there were days I was depressed. I've not seen my children and grandchildren since Christmas last year. My dad seems to be on a slow decline. I had a few medical blips that required attention. I'm now taking three pills a day rather than one. (Not counting vitamins and supplements.)

On the plus side, I retired after working 40 years in education--20 in public schools and 20 in non-profit work. Starting in April, I became a full-time author. Again. I've started/stopped the full-time author train several times over the course of my life.

So, in 2020, I actually wrote more words, and released more works, than in many years. I feel good about that. I reorganized my home office to be more "writerly" than "day job-y." I've rebranded two series. Rewrote some of those books. And figured out some marketing strategies that are actually working for me. 

While in November of 2020 my book sales were at an all-time low. Yet, as this month's financials close, I'll see my most profitable month (December 2020) for the past three years. 

Who says this business is predictable? No one.

But I can't complain. I'll end 2020 on a high note, writing income wise, and that's a good thing, too.

I'm feeling pretty good about where I sit right now in my author world. It's not only the one good month that makes me feel that way. I've taken the past six weeks off from writing to knuckle down and focus on my author business. 

• My business plan is written.
• My first quarter writing/release plan is written on my whiteboard--the entire year is mapped out.
• My first quarter content calendar is in process, to be completed tomorrow.
• My website is updated, rebranded, (complete with new landing page) and integrated with my ecommerce bookstore.
• My newsletter automation system is updated.
• My new backlist marketing strategy is in place and running.

I'm sure there are smaller tasks I could also talk about but I'll spare you. Suffice to say, I've been busy, and I feel ready.

Meanwhile, I'll start writing again on January 4, 2021, and I'm looking forward to it! The past is the past--the future has no guarantees--but focusing on one day at a time can't be a bad plan.