Celebrate the Small Things… and the Big Things!

A sold-out first print run and discovering that The Blood She Betrayed has been shortlisted in the top ten books in the Australian Romance Readers Awards (spec fic category) … What a terrific start to 2014!

Those who subscribe to my website know my blogs have been scrappy during the past few months while I was on my physical author tour. If you haven’t been following me on Facebook, I will post more photos from the  tour in the cSmall News Articles Photo 1oming weeks but I wanted to start 2014 with the Celebrate the Small Things blog hop, thanks to fellow fantasy author TF Walsh.

2013 was the year of my debut novel so almost every week was a celebration for me as I experienced many new “firsts” for my novel – first edits, first draft cover, first book launch, first radio interview, first fan mail. Many of these moments may have seemed small but, for me, they were BIG moments of delight.

Now, as I batten down the hatches for another chaos-filled literary year – my second as a published author – I am comforted by the many things I am grateful for:

  1. A fabulous clan of loving and supportive friends and family (including one slightly crumpled husband and one slightly jealous cat) who have always celebrated my achievements with me, but also been there to lend me a shoulder to cry on during the tough times
  2. An imagination that helps colour my days and create vivid plots and characters – I’m working on The Ghost She Killed (Heart Hunters Book II) this week
  3. A debut novel that has gained fabulous reviews, sold out on its first print run (the warehouse is empty) and attracted a surprise shortlisting in a national reading award – and was also nominated for the Aurealis
  4. Peers and mentors whom I greatly respect who generously give of their time so that I may grow. Thank you. Always.
  5. The magic of seeing youngsters and newbies toss off their training wheels and set sail on their own glorious adventures of a lifetime.
  6. An amazing world of beauty, entertainment and creativity that I can enjoy when I am tired or sad – or just to celebrate living
  7. A room to call my own – my combined bedroom/office – where I can write wonderful stories at my desk without the disruptions of living out of suitcases and laptop bags, as was the status during my author tour. I am back home and I am happy. #Bliss

What are you Celebrate the small thingscelebrating this week?

This post is part of VikLit‘s blog hop, Celebrate the Small Things. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is follow the link and put your name on the Mr.Linky list, and then be sure to post every Friday about something you’re grateful  for that week.  It can be about writing or family or school or general life.

To read fellow author TF Walsh’s Celebrate the Small Things blog, go here. While you’re at it, check out her mesmerising debut novel, Cloaked in Fur.

16 thoughts on “Celebrate the Small Things… and the Big Things!

  • January 12, 2014 at 8:25 am
    Permalink

    What a lovely list of celebrations! Thank you for joining in.

    Reply
    • January 12, 2014 at 8:49 am
      Permalink

      Viklit, thank you so much for starting this Blog Hop. It was the perfect way to start 2014 and I truly believe that being grateful for even the small things brings us a happy heart <3

      Reply
  • January 12, 2014 at 11:15 am
    Permalink

    You have so many wonderful things to celebrate… huge congrats, and here’s to an even better 2014 for us;)

    Reply
    • January 12, 2014 at 11:46 pm
      Permalink

      I’m drinking a very fine coffee to that wish, T. Happy 2014 and continue writing beautifully! x

      Reply
  • January 26, 2014 at 7:56 am
    Permalink

    That’s wonderful news. Congratulations! You sure have a lot to be grateful for, and I love your list. Have a great week! (And thanks for the shout-out to Tania; she’s my CP and Cloaked in Fur is awesome!)

    Reply
    • February 1, 2014 at 11:15 pm
      Permalink

      My pleasure, Lexa. TF Walsh is gorgeous and brilliant, and Cloaked in Fur is fabulous so I’ll have to welcome you into my circle now, too, and check out your books. Have a magical week! Cher <3 (PS: And I'm secretly jealous of how organised Tania is with her writing and blogging - even if it doesn't feel that way to her - she's incredibly professional and committed - and kind)

      Reply
  • February 1, 2014 at 1:52 pm
    Permalink

    Hello, Cheryse, nice to meet you. I love the cover of your book, and sounds amazing. So nice to have a room to call your own.

    Reply
    • February 1, 2014 at 11:12 pm
      Permalink

      It is, isn’t it, Cathrina? And what a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for dropping over to my blog and celebrating the small things with me. If you’d like to read the first 12 chapters of The Blood She Betrayed for free, you can check out the link HERE

      Reply
  • February 8, 2014 at 1:01 am
    Permalink

    My favorite thing on your list is imagination. Wonderful things to have, and I’m also grateful for all the people who appreciate them! (Down with unimaginative sticks in the mud!)

    Reply
    • February 14, 2014 at 4:14 pm
      Permalink

      Imagination is fabulous, Jennifer, and endless 🙂

      Reply
  • February 17, 2014 at 2:30 pm
    Permalink

    Hi, congrats on your achievements. I will have to check out your books.

    Reply
    • April 30, 2014 at 10:52 pm
      Permalink

      My apologies, Mary. This comment got lost in my spam folder – no idea why. Thanks for visiting and I look forward to visiting you and your blog. Have a magical year of creativity – and keep celebrating All Things.

      Reply
  • March 1, 2014 at 2:01 am
    Permalink

    Sounds great! To have an imagination is a wonderful thing.

    Found you through VikLit.

    Reply
    • April 30, 2014 at 10:46 pm
      Permalink

      It sounds like you know all about wonderful imaginations, Shelly. Thanks for visiting and hopefully I’ll be back to regular Celebrate the Small Things blogs soon. Have a lovely week.

      Reply
  • March 16, 2014 at 6:05 pm
    Permalink

    Much to celebrate indeed! Congratulations on the success of your novel, and may you have another successful year writing. Good to have a room of your own 🙂

    Reply
    • April 30, 2014 at 10:44 pm
      Permalink

      Thanks, Sharon, and I apologise for my late reply. Wishing you all the best with your own journey and I’ll be looking you are online.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *