2016 in Review

I have come to that time of year where I look back at my goals for 2016 and consider how the year lined up.

The short answer is that I planned to release 4-5 new novels, rerelease More Than a Tiara, and release the last 3 Farm Fresh Romances in audio. I hinted at a Secret Project (now revealed) and promised to keep blogging weekly here (I missed twice, I think) and monthly at Inspy Romance (yes!), send a monthly newsletter (I sent 11), and release one nonfiction book (hahaha).

The only thing that was a complete bust (for probably the fourth year running) was the nonfiction book. I have ideas! I have material partially written! But whenever I hit ‘publish’ on a fiction project, I move to the next one. Somehow the nonfiction just keeps getting pushed down the line. I have one week to decide if I’ll even put it on my 2017 goals or admit defeat! LOL

In 2016, I wrote about 300,000 words of fiction and released about 135,000 words. You may wonder why the big difference! Of the last three projects I’ve completed this fall, the two Garden Grown Romances for Arcadia Valley Romance (aka Secret Project) are scheduled to release in 2017. Treasure in Clay‘s release is unknown, but I’m guessing 2018.

Written in 2016: Secrets of Sunbeams (55,000), Butterflies on Breezes (55,000), Other Than a Halo (45,000), Sow in Love (30,000), Treasure in Clay (60,000), and Sprouts of Love (55,000)

Published in 2016: Berry on Top (80,000), Secrets of Sunbeams (55,000), Butterflies on Breezes (55,000), and Other Than a Halo (45,000)

Due to circumstances outside of my control, Berry on Top has not yet released in audio. It’s very close, though, and should be out in January. However, the audio of Secrets of Sunbeams released in October, so there are still three new audiobooks this year!

Generally speaking, 2016 has been a better year for me healthwise. My husband and I took two vacations, one to Florida in June for my sisters’ reunion, and a road trip through the Pacific Northwest in October. We also enjoyed camping in our area, including a few weekends with the grandgirls. Even though I had huge goals in the writing department, I tried very hard to keep focused on family when it was family time! I also participated in a ladies Bible study through the fall at our church.

Stay tuned for next week, when I’ll post my goals for 2016!

I’ve been posting my annual goals to my blog for quite a few years, if you’d like to have a look. Before 2009, my reporting was a bit haphazard, so after poking around for a while, I decided “back then” wasn’t relevant! Still, if it would amuse you, here’s the list:

2015 goals | 2015 in review
2014 goals | 2014 in review
2013 goals | 2013 in review
2012 goals | 2012 in review
2011 goals | 2011 in review
2010 goals | 2010 in review
2009 goals | 2009 in review