Well, I’m going to start by saying — wow, 2020 has certainly been a shit show, hasn’t it? But, it’s almost done and it is time to look to the future. Unfortunately, I think that Covid-19 will play a big part of 2021, too. But we’re all adjusting to the new normal and, personally, I think that as annoying as Covid-19 has been, it hasn’t been all bad.

Lessons Learned from Covid-19

I’ve been forced to do things differently than I would have, had COVID not kicked my ass. Some of the things I’ve learned:

• I’m ok spending time by myself. I don’t need to have people around all the time. Yes, I miss going out. I miss hanging out with friends and family whenever I want to. But I’m ok on my own, too. I enjoy reading and writing and journaling. Netflix is pretty awesome. I can fix things on my own when I choose to. Online shopping is fun, but needs to be controlled.
• I can write for a living! Wow — this is likely the biggest thing for me. I’m a WRITER now. Like a real, making a living at it, writer. Ok, I’m not rich. But I’m making it work.
• I can be productive when I try. I’ve written more this year than in any other year in my life, and I’m pretty sure that includes when I was freelancing full time.
• I can maintain relationships long-distance and over the internet. Not only do I have two men in my life that I have maintained relationships with but I can maintain friendships online. And I haven’t died yet.
• I know who I matter to. My relationship with my sister has gotten better (it’s not perfect but definitely better). The people I matter to stay in touch.

I’m a REAL Writer!

Like most writers, I’ve suffered from imposter syndrome. I’ve never felt like a “real” writer because I didn’t do things “right”.

Well, this year, I finally feel like a “real” writer.

Maybe it is because I am writing most days. Maybe it is because I finally wrote a novel (three this year to be exact). Maybe it is because I don’t depend on other sources of income to pay my bills. Maybe it is for a lot of reasons. But feeling like a “real” writer, getting over imposter syndrome (ok, not completely, but getting there) definitely makes a difference in how much I do.

Publishing My First Novel

Wait — didn’t I say I wrote three novels in 2020? Yes, I did. But they were for other people. Not for me. Ghostwriting. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I still did it. 270,000 words since August. For someone else. Still something to be proud of.

But I have yet to publish a novel for me.

As of January 14th though, I will be publishing my first novel, for me. It’s on pre-order on Amazon and you can read the first couple chapters on Medium. Those chapters will be removed on January 14th so grab the pre-order for 99 cents because the price goes up to $2.99 after the pre-order period is over. It’s under my Alicia Stone pen name and it’s a lesbian BDSM polyamory romance.

It’s been a bit of a stretch to get this finished because I’m also writing a novel for a client. But it is getting done!

Medium Publishing

I’m still publishing on Medium but not as often. With the ghostwriting and trying to publish my own novel I have very little time for anything else. I also have 3 social media clients an that part of my business is looking to grow in the next few months. And I’d like to get more organized about publishing to my own social media platforms.

I am way too lazy to link to everything new I’ve written that I haven’t published here but if you want to read some dirty stories or read about sex go and find it here.

That being said, except for the stuff that I publish in publications that I don’t own, I think I am going to start publishing whatever I write here, first. Then I’ll republish it on Medium.

I do love Medium, but let’s be honest, it’s not likely ever going to be my main source of income. So, short stories and sex articles, sure. They can go there. The main source of my work will be in ebooks though. And some paperbacks.

Novel Writing

I have three types of novels I want to write. This year, I am hoping to find the one that will be my main focus. Under Alicia Stone, I write lesbian/BDSM stories. Under Autumn Seave I write M/F steamy romance (and I’m thinking that might turn into reverse harem — I’m going to release a novel in that genre this year. Maybe February). And then I have my real name where I write stuff that is more family friendly. And I hope to do a novel under my real name this coming year, too.

I love writing about sex but I’d really like to see my real name author platform take off. I have a couple of novellas under that name and another planned to finish off the series. But there’s a novel I really need to write, too.

I’d like to settle into one pen name that is my main focus. But we’ll see what happens this year.

Summing It Up

2020 has been a rough year but it hasn’t been the worst year for me. I’m hoping there will not be a year that beats 2019. Saying goodbye to my husband and learning to live without him was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

2021 should be a breeze. I’m just going to tiptoe quietly into the year and try not to make a stink about anything and just do the things I need to do for me.

How was your year?