This last year was a rollercoaster ride of emotions for me. From a really wonderful, supportive relationship, to finding out my mother had cancer, to Clarion West, then unemployment and finally, a job. Obviously my mother’s condition is probably the most significant thing to have happened last year. She tried radiation and chemo, neither of which worked. But it’s a new year and a new treatment (a pill this time) and we’re keeping our fingers crossed.

Last year, however, was a great year for writing. While my first publication appeared in 2007, I continued on with Altered Fluid in 2008, attended Clarion West (more on that later) and sold my second story. But more than that, I felt that my writing improved. That my understanding of my writing and writing in general became deeper in a way I had been craving. Last year I wrote what I consider to be some of my best stories, certainly some of my favorite.  And I feel a momentum carrying me into the opening of 2009.

Of course Clarion West was one of the biggest events of the year, if not of my life. If you know anyone who has been to one of these workshops, you’ve heard all about them, I’m sure. But 6 weeks of intensive writing – talking about it, dreaming about it, and doing it, and little else – was amazing. The teachers were amazing. The people who run the workshop are amazing. And as if the writing experience wasn’t good enough, I made friends there that I hope, and expect, will last a lifetime.

All that remains is for me to say something about my current relationship. I don’t talk a lot about personal things here, aside from my mother I suppose, but I just want to acknowledge how supportive and wonderful Allyson has been in my life this past year. I don’t know if I would have made it through, sometimes, without her.

Here’s to the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009.