I think here’s where I’m supposed to write something meaningful about the year we’re leaving behind. But honestly, what is there to say that you haven’t read somewhere else? That this year was a MESS? That it was hard to create in the face of what’s happened in this country, in this world? You know all that already. We’re all tired. Let’s just get this done and get to midnight already and take a NAP.

Hang on for a minute while I get some more wine.

Okay.

(Questions pulled from here, with the years changed and some questions omitted, and a thank you to Alexandra Bracken’s blog post here for the idea!)

Words written: about 100k, on two projects (revisions on Wildergirls and drafting a new project)

Books read: I have NO idea, but I’m fine with that

What one event, big or small, are you going to tell your grandchildren about?

I sold my first book! I’ve been dreaming about this (whether or not I admitted it to myself) since I was five years old and I still cannot believe that there will be a book out there with my name on it. People will hold it in their hands. CAN U BELIEVE

If you had to describe your 2017 in 3 words, what would they be?

Productive, gutting, gritty.

What new things did you discover about yourself?

That I can produce a lot more, more quickly, than I thought I could. At the beginning of 2017 I thought I could only hit about 1,000 words a day, but by the end I had pushed myself and figured out that if I want to, and if I keep focused, I can double that. I’m hoping to keep pushing myself in years to come.

What was your favorite place that you visited in 2017?

Middlebury, Vermont is always a favorite. I got to spend some time there at the beginning of this year to write Wildergirls, and practically lived at Sama’s (which now goes by another name, I think?) every day while finishing that draft.

Who was your number one go-to person that you could always rely on?

Lol hi Mom

Which new skills did you learn?

I mentioned this above, but I learned to increase my output, so I guess I’d say that my new skills are writing at least 2,000 words a day and moving more quickly through the drafting process. It’s my least favorite part of the writing process and I’m really pleased to be learning to move through it more efficiently.

Which mental block(s) did you overcome?

Phone calls aren’t terrible! I mean, yes, they are, but I can make them a bit easier now than I could before, and I think that’s down to calling my Senators and Congresspeople more this year than I ever have before.

What book or movie or TV show affected your life in a profound way?

The Last Jedi (movie)
Bojack Horseman (TV)
Every Heart a Doorway (book)

What little things did you most enjoy during your day-to-day life?

Making those prepackaged Starbucks Peppermint Mochas. Playing with my dog in the park by our house. Seeing half price movies with my mom.

What was your most common mental state this year (e.g. excited, curious, stressed)?

IMPATIENT. This was a year of waiting, and I know that it will continue to be a common thread in my life, but this was the year I had to learn to deal with it.

What purchase turned out to be the best decision ever?

Um, which one of my thousand lipstick purchases should I put here? Wait – I have it. Bless Sephora Flash shipping.

What did you think about more than anything else?

That orange-faced nightmare child and all of that bullshit.

What new habits did you cultivate?

I stopped biting my nails, which I’ve been trying to do pretty much since I was born.

2018

What do you want the overarching theme for your 2018 to be?

WORK.

What do you want to see, discover, explore?

I want to go on another solo trip. My last real solo trip/vacation was a trip to Brighton in 2016 and I loved it so, so much. Maybe to Canada, to Lake Louise, or back to England to visit my grad school fam.

Who do you want to spend more time with in 2018?

My grad school fam, and my best friend from my hometown, who I talk with regularly but almost never get to see.

Which personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen?

Discipline.

What do you want your everyday life to be like?

More cooking! More friends! More routine!

Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of?

Wake up earlier. Keep drinking water and not soda. Keep growing my nails. COOK.

What do you want to achieve career-wise?

Sell more bookz.