I love this time of year . . . I really do!  And even after a slow beginning, I'm finally in the full swing of it.  

But I'm looking forward to the end of this year and making a splash in the new one!

So what's have I accomplished this year?

1.  I queried an agent.  She wasn't interested in my PB because she's not taking many new ones on . . . but she wanted me to query again on my YA  (YEA!)

2.  I had an AMAZING time at the SCBWI conference in LA this year!  I met some great people, expanded my contact horizon and had a TON of fun!

3.  I have a number of articles out (fiction, poems and non-fiction) that have been out for about 6 months (or more).  I need to contact Hopscotch again about my non-fiction piece, but my fiction piece and poems were sent to Spider and Babybug, and I know the wait time is at least 6 months just to get a first read . . . so we'll see . . . 

4. Although one of my PBs was rejected by Candlewick in October, I have another that I sent to Walker & Co.  Last I read they have a 20 wk wait time.  I'm already at 11 . . . and counting.

5.  BUT, the most important thing that's happened to me was . . . . I HAD A PIECE ACCEPTED!  In September I heard from Boys Quest about my non-fiction piece about a New York Giant who played from 1901-1908.  Now, the article won't be published until 2012, but you know what?

I DON'T CARE . . . I'M GOING TO BE PUBLISHED!!!!

Now, onto more recent developments . . . 

After I sent off my PB's to Candlewick and Walker, I stopped all work on my PBs.  I have 3 fairly strong manuscripts, so I'm taking a break.  

I went back to working on my one YA novel about October and it's been a struggle.  The book itself hasn't been a problem, my problem has been time.  I know a large portion of it has to do with the season and everything else that goes with it . . . but there's more to it this year.

My kids are getting older and thus they have more going on.  On top of that, I started a PT job . . . at Starbucks.  Ironically the same one that I've been talking about for months as my "usual spot" where I write.  

So my time is now at a premium! 

However, I'm working towards correcting my priorities.  That obviously includes my dedication to finishing my first YA and then pursuing not only my other YA projects, but also working on my PBs.

In the meantime . . . I'll keep plugging away . . . 

That's all I can do.