Reflecting Back on 2009

Looks to be the theme for most blog posts today. :-) For those of you that know me pretty well, you know that 2009 was a huge year for me on many fronts. I don't think I could tackle everything here or if I would even want to. So, I figure I'll just hit some of the highlights and downlights when it comes to the writing and homeschooling end of things.

The first half of the year for homeschooling was not good. With a huge upset in my personal life and a lot going on in my writing life, the homeschooling was for the most part put on the back burner. Not that you'd hear any complaints from Big Daughter, LOL, in fact, she's asked a lot during the last half why can't she do what we did in the beginning of the year. :-) Anyway, a big thank you to Time4Learning which at least kept her on track academically while mommy was way too focused on other things. The second half has been better (depending on your viewpoint). I found this super cool curriculum called Moving Beyond the Page. Can I say how much I LUV this curriculum!! Only problem is Big Daughter isn't quite as thrilled with it as I am, but we slog along.

In looking back on the writing front and furthering myself as a professional, LOL, a lot happened this year. I think because it was in the summer of 2008 I made a commitment to myself to really pursue becoming a working novelist. Through 2009, I've been figuring out what works for me and what doesn't. In case, you're new on the writing front or not a writer, there are a whole bunch of people and strings of advice that tell you what you have to do to be successful. Needless to say, they are not always right. So, here are the highlights from the world of writing in 2009.

• Had several articles on horse schools reprinted in magazines.
• Horse Schools 4 was planned to be released, but then my publisher gave me the green light to create an online version of Horse Schools along with saying they wouldn't be releasing Horse Schools 4 in print.
• Started said subject of HorseSchoolsOnline.com. Lots of learning curve on this one. Thankfully have had help from several knowledgeable people. Looking forward to it debuting in 2010.
• Finished up my Institute of Children's Literature Novel Course. 
• Entered several writing contests which was a huge stretch for me and pretty good practice for sending out to agents and editors.
  
• Entered many online pitch contests. This has been an interesting experience. Pitched a WIP in one and had the editor request to see the full. Lesson learned, never pitch a WIP unless you like stress (even if said editor said it was okay to pitch WIPs). LOL Still working on that one to send into editor. 
• Submitted novel written in ICL Novel course to agents. It has been making the rounds. Gotten form rejections and a few encouraging personal rejections. The personal rejections have been the ones that have kept me going, because I know it doesn't suck or they wouldn't have bothered with the personal reject. 
• Registered my first screenplay with the Writers Guild of America.
• Earned my PRO status with Romance Writers of America. PRO status within the RWA means that you have finished a manuscript and submitted it to an editor or agent. 
• Started this blog and my sister blog http://horseschools.blogspot.com
• Signed up for my first critique partner

So, that's the list of highlights for me. What about you? Did you get closer to your dream in 2009? I believe I did. I completed several goals and got a lot closer to my dream.