Tuesday 3 January 2012

My 2011

So what happened to me writing and health wise in 2011? Here is my story.

Writing: I had published several letters in magazines. I sold 3 copies in all of Rosie (one at Save Library Day and 2 at another library event). I did a book reading at the Save Library Day. I did another event talking about writing what you know for magazines. I discovered Writers' Guide to Epublishing website and made lots of online friends, and put my name down to be involved in writing stories for their anthologies in 2013. After reading their site and columns by the Grumpy Bookman in Writing Magazine, I decided to start self-epubbing my own works. This turned out be The Railway Angel, the first in a series of teen angels. I am currently working on the second one. I have had a romance story accepted by a new digital publisher run by a friend and fellow romance author. The first in a series to start this spring. And lastly I made a connection with a local man who organises storytelling for a local library and its events, and might be involved with that this year. So will be shortly working on little ones, middle-grade, teen, and adult msss.

Health: 2011 was the year for being diagnosed. In the March I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, which came as a relief to both my mum and me. Mum cos she had thought there was something not quite right with me and me cos it explained how I was at work with people, esp the students. Then in August I was also diagnosed with Mayer-Rokitansky syndrome. It is something that happens with a gene within 5 weeks of being conceived and the gene causes organs and tissues not develop properly if at all. It amazed us as it explains all the major health issues that I have, and we didn't realise they could be connected. Now we know. With all this knowledge I then decided to stop looking for a job as I felt that no one would understand me and my problems. I decided to apply for early retirement due to ill health. This is still ongoing (begun in September 2011) and causing me great anxiety. We shall see what happens but I am not giving up without a fight. My writing is giving me strength as I build up my indie author writing.

3 comments:

Nell Dixon said...

I'm glad you finally have an answer for the cause of your health issues. Sometimes even if the news isn't what you want to hear it helps just knowing. Fingers crossed that this will be a brilliant year for you - you work so hard you deserve success.

Talli Roland said...

Sounds like it was a very eventful year, Julie. I'm glad you have some answers now in regards to your health, and good luck with your writing!

Lesley Cookman said...

Julie, I think those diagnoses are incredibly positive - you know what's happening and I think you're quite right to go down the early retirement route. I do wish you luck with that. And congratulations (as I've said elsewhere) on having the series commissioned. Brilliant news.The best of luck for 2012. x