I don't make new year's resolutions anymore. They nearly always involve something boring and impossible like losing weight and/or getting fit, or not swearing when some moron cuts me off in traffic. Like I said - impossible. But it's probably a good idea to take stock of the previous year's highlights and achievements. We're so often too busy trying to reach the next target to assess how many milestones we've reached in the past and give ourselves a much needed pat on the back. So in the tradition of the Sami's Scribbles Top 5, I've decided to list my top 5 highlights of 2007.

1.    Had my first book published. That has to be number one of course. Born Again Virgin came out as an e-book in May of this year, and it still feels kind of strange to me. I knew nothing about promoting my own work and I've had to give myself a crash course in that. I think I'm a little more prepared for the promotional side of the writing game now, just in time for the print release of BAV, which is scheduled for March this year.
	2.    Wrote my first short story ever and had it published. Fijian Fling was the first short story I've written since they used to make me do it in high school. Not that my high school English teachers would have been impressed with me handing in something like FF all those years ago. Fortunately, Samhain Publishing saw something in it and included it in their Midsummer Night's Steam series. One thing writing a short story taught me a lot about is tightening my writing. Or to paraphrase Elmore Leonard 'leaving out the parts that people skip'. FF is due for print release as part of an anthology with three other authors in May.
3.    Attended the RWA conference in Sydney. Not only did I get a trip away that didn't include deciding whether or not to pack the high chair, I got a chance to meet a great bunch of like minded writing geniuses (or is that genii? There appears to be contention on the Net about this). I had a great time and learnt heaps. I met some great writers like Barbara Hannay, Anne Stuart, Caitlyn Nicholas, Jess Dee, Anne Gracie, Denise Rossetti... the list could go on. And that's not to mention number four...
	4.    Got to meet Jenny Crusie. Yes, I know it's probably cheating separating those two things but it was such an action packed 3 days that I think the distinction is warranted. Her workshops were not only inspirational, thought-provoking and informative, they were also laugh-out-loud funny. I was totally in awe, evidenced by the fact that I actually approached her for an autograph. I haven't asked anyone for an autograph in about 20 years, so that's saying something. I've blogged previously about how witty and urbane I was. Yeah, witty... Welcome to Temptation was great too. Perfect Christmas reading.
5.   I'm surprised to find there's actually a couple of highlights I could pick as number five. I wrote my first longer novel with a mystery sub-plot and managed to get it off to the editor. That's In Charm's Way, but I've already blogged about that so I'll make number five... Had a full manuscript requested by Mills & Boon's London office. It happened so long ago I'd almost forgotten about it (almost, but of course that's not something a writer can forget completely). The full ms of Three's a Family went on its way to London in April 07. I'm hoping I'll hear something either way in the next few months. It's always a thrill to be noticed in the slush pile, and I can only hope they decide my little story about an uptight accountant, the chef who nurtures her and the baby who needs them both finds a home with harlequin. I'll certainly keep you posted.

Well, that's it - at least for writing highlights. This list of course doesn't include life's other great moments, like the first time Princess Two said 'I love you Mummy', or did a poo in the potty. Never thought human excrement would be worth dancing and applause but there you have it. Discovering new authors like Jessica Bird and Jennifer Crusie (yes, I only discovered her this year). And not to mention teaching myself how to set up a blog! Hubby is in charge of the website, but everything to do with this blog is my domain. Never thought I'd be comfortable doing anything tech related, but there's another 2007 acheivement to be proud of.

Now, you go and think about your own achievements. Write them down. It doesn't have to be getting a book published, it could just be finishing a book, or finishing an outline of a book or taking a writing course you've always wanted to take. Just finding the time to read, let alone write, is an accomplishment in itself. Those who participated in the Nano and actually wrote the 50,000 word quota did a lot better than I on that score. You guys definitely ought to be proud of yourselves.

Whatever you do, if you love to write keep doing it, even if you only manage 100 words a day. Every highlight and achievement I've listed above came about because I didn't stop writing, even though there were times (more than I can count) when I came dangerously close to building a bonfire and burning every scrap of work I'd ever done. Now that I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere, I'm infinitely glad I didn't strike that match.

Here's hoping we all have a glorious 2008.

Cheers,

Sami