Best of PBW 2014

It's the last day of the year, when I traditionally sort through the archives to see how things went, what I accomplished (or didn't) and get some ideas on ways in which to improve things with PBW and my writing life.

I don't think I ever officially picked a theme for 2014 (or if I did, I can't find the post), although I did work on finishing a lot of things I'd left undone. I also made my first public appearance as an author and attended my first convention since 2003, and scared the bejesus out of Shiloh Walker by crashing one of her booksignings.

While I had no fun dealing with a cyberattack on the blog this month, the scariest time this year was when my vision began rapidly deteriorating, a fact I kept from nearly everyone until after I had back-to-back eye surgeries. Despite all the stress involved (like the fact that I was completely conscious during operation #2) they not only restored my vision but made it better than it's ever been. I am so grateful to my doc and his crew, my family and friends who looked after me, and for the support from all my online pals. I can assure you I will also be be thankful every time I open my eyes for the rest of my life.

Although there has been plenty more to complain about, I find it very difficult to focus on the negative aspects of my 2014. I saw a wonderful writer and colleague find success on her own terms with a book I absolutely loved. Over the summer I took the road trip of a lifetime with my kid and finally made it all the way to Maine. With my writing I revisited an old favorite and I kept writing in a universe I love. After being unemployed for half the year I found new work opportunities that are interesting and fun.

In the wake of so many heartbreaking losses and tragedies that came along with 2014 I think the writing community needs to remember to be kind to each other, and that everything hurtful, petty and negative can be combatted with laughter and the work. Outside of family and friends those two may be the most important elements in any writer's life.

Here's a look back at what I think were the best posts of 2014:

January: Didn't Got Build, Perfection, You Like Me, You Really Like Me! For £50

February: Argh Ten, Split Seconds, Unlikely Inspiration,

March: Quilt Show Ten, Blast from the Past: Novelworld, Con Ten

April: New Cover Art, Will Write for Kittens, Spark My Story

May: Catching Threads, Floating Comma Hidden SPAM, Dreaming Up Story

June: LJ's Ten, The Art of Journals, By the Book

July: What I Did on My Summer Vacation, Sorry, No Fairy Dust, Blog No-Nos

August: Water? Glass? Both?

September: Job Gen, Crew No-Nos

October: NaNo Ten, Say It Ten, Such a Character

November: NaNoisms Ten, Bonsaing Inspiration, The 29

December: Gift No-Nos, Knock-Off No-Nos, Ten Things I Hate About Your Holiday Story

Welcome 2015. Take it easy on us, will you?