A writer’s life isn’t centered on one big moment, but a
collection of little moments, a series of small accomplishments, and a lifetime
of gathering tiny achievements.
Sometimes in our quest to reach greatness, we squander the moment to
enjoy those minor accomplishments.
Most often we are known by a particular accomplishment, be
it our best-selling book, a certain interview, or a reference by a famous
celebrity or celebrated peer. Sometimes
we even receive recognition through awards, nominations or branded with a title
of achievement. However, those are rare,
if even incidental, occasions. If truth
be known, we often miss the moments of our greatest achievements being too
focused on the next goal.
With the end of 2012 around the corner, I decided to write
up a new resume in an effort to be prepared should new opportunities present
themselves in the New Year. After I
added the last line, the latest achievement, my recent nomination for a GAYA
(Georgia Author of the Year Award), I sat back in my office chair flabbergasted,
awed and a bit over-whelmed at all I had accomplished this year. It didn’t ‘feel’ like a great year, but it
was my most productive.
I’ve chased my dreams, first for my college education, then
for my family, then for my business career, and now for my writing. I’ve put myself through school, worked my way
up the corporate ladder, raised a family, started my own company from the
ground, and now I’m chasing my passion, my dream, and fulfilling what I believe
I was created and called to do. I’ve
accomplished much, and I’m only just beginning.
However, those previous accomplishments were more recognizable, and
measurable, usually by a big bonus, a certificate of achievement, a milestone
such as a graduation, a wedding or a funeral.
With my writing career, the achievements aren’t as noticeable. The moments are subtle and come in tiny
morsels. Often times I’m so busy working
on the next project, I miss the celebration of the achievement of the previous
one, because that achievement isn’t instant, but something that grows as time
passes, and are combined with other achievements – like a snowball.
2012 has been a GREAT year for me as an author. I can’t even imagine what’s in store for me
for 2013, because my imagination is bigger than me and my snowball of success
is only bound to get bigger. While I don’t
care for accolades, pats on the back, or have a desire to be recognized and
remembered, I have no false humility when it comes to bragging about my
hard-earned achievements. I worked hard
for each and every one of them, and plan to work even harder for the ones yet to
come. I desire the same for each and
every one of you chasing your own dreams.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
My 2012 Writing Achievements:
·
Published Milledgeville Misfit in January with
Vabella Publishing
·
Re-Released The Blood of Cain as 2nd
Edition in May with Vabella Publishing
·
Published The Arcainians in September with
Vabella Publishing
·
Wrote the rough draft for Survival – Book #1 –
Second Chance Series
·
Won NaNoWriMo 2012 – write 50,000+ novel
in less than 30-days
·
Scheduled and attended over (30) thirty author
events, book-signings, festivals & libraries
·
Had (5) five newspaper and/or magazine articles
featuring me or my books (Times-Georgian, Southern Spice, Union
Recorder, Douglas County Sentinel, Ghost Voices Magazine and West
Georgia Living Magazine)
·
Became a Contributing Writer/Book Reviewer for West
Georgia Living Magazine (already had (3) three reviews published)
·
Have had over 12,000 hits/readers of The
Whimsical World of T.L. Gray since January, +100 followers, etc.
·
Hosted (3) three Goodreads.com give-a-ways,
and connected with many of my favorite authors (Michael J. Sullivan, R.T.
Kaelin, Mark Lawrence, Anthony Ryan, E.L. James, Julie Kagawa, Patrick
Rothfuss, Frank Allan Rogers, etc)
·
Maintained (5) five blogs, (3) three websites (vabella.com,
tlgray.net, thebloodofcain.com), and countless social media venues
·
Edited (6) six novels (three mine), created (2) two book trailers, created (3) three book
covers and Tutored (2) two up & coming authors at T.L. Gray, LLC
·
Active member of the CCWC (Carrollton Creative Writer’s
Club), facilitating, attending and participating in many of the club
events, including MeccaFest ‘12
·
Written more than (50) fifty blog posts/reviews
(like this one) on my various blogs, featured in (3) three blog
interviews/give-a-way by bloggers, and reviewed by many more
·
Invited to be a contributing author for the Triumph
Over Tragedy anthology with over 30 (many award-winning & some my
favorite) authors
·
Nominated for GAYA (Georgia Author of the Year
Awards) for Milledgeville Misfit and The Arcainians for 2013
·
Invited as an honored guest and panelist for the
2013
Georgia Literary Festival
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