2018: My List of Accomplishments by Leanne Dyck

I began 2018 with two goals in mind. I wanted the right publisher to find me and I wanted to finish writing my middle-grade novel. I've made progress but... Still, as the last days of 2018 fly by, I'm smiling.

Here's why...

My list of 2018 accomplishments

Writing...

for children...

In 2018, I wrote 17 stories for children--including picture books, a board book, an early reader book and a chapter book for a total of 53 picture book manuscripts.

I'm currently working on 4 picture book manuscripts.

for adults...

In 2018, I worked on 4 short story collections and 5 short novels

In total, including my YA novel, I have 63 manuscripts waiting for the right publisher.

Networking...

As of today, there are 24,000 members in my online community

(Linked In, Facebook, Google +, Twitter)

Blogging...

As of today, this blog has received 330,000 page views

Most popular posts...

Wanderlust (438 page views)
Inspired by an online writing prompt

Moving to an Island (310 page views)
Inspired by my move to a small island

Making Writing Pay (256 page views)
Inspired by my change of attitude--from caring for children in daycare centres to my work as a writer.

This month...

This blog has been added to the Top 100 Canadian Book Blogger list. (In 2019, I plan to visit most--if not all--of the blogs listed. I invite you to too.)

Happy New Year!! 

Thank you for your continued support. Looking forward to sharing

2019 with you. (And there's lots to look forward to like short stories, book reviews and--at least one--guest post.)

Something like this...is what I was aiming for, but...

Knitting Project Update...

A Writer's Journey (short story) by Leanne Dyck

When did you decide to be an author? What has your author journey been like? This short story was inspired by my answer to those questions...

"On Mayne Island" photo by ldyck

A Writer's Journey

Once upon a time (on October 10, 2010, to be exact), a woman packed a pen and some paper and set out on a journey. She had heard about the hill throughout her life. She'd thought about it... Others had encouraged her to climb... But she'd put excuse after excuse in her way. She'd been too scared to even try. But that day, she shoved her fear out of the way and jumped over her excuses. 

The sun was warm on her back. The chill fall breeze was invigorating. From the base of the hill, it was hard to tell its height. She didn't know how long it would take her. But she put one foot in front of the other and started to climb.

Day after day, week after week, she climbed. Sometimes she felt lonely. But the woman wasn't alone.

Others called, "Hey, do you need help?" and gave her a walking stick, more paper, a pen.

Others cheered, "Keep climbing!"

Others silently watched her climb, and she felt their support.

Month after month, year after year, she climbed. Sometimes she tripped.

"You're going to hurt yourself," people called from the grass beside the path. "That's why I stopped climbing. It's way too hard." 

Those people looked a lot more fit than she was. The woman's legs were too short. Her lungs were too small. What made her think that she could succeed when others had failed? Was it really worth all the effort? How much longer would it take? How high was the hill? The grass looked so soft. Her pack felt so heavy. She bent her knee. She rested, but...

"Don't stop! "Don't stop!" one voice called, and then another. Soon a chorus encouraged her on. "Keep going. You can do it. We believe in you."


Those voices... That support... They carried her. And that's how the woman is still climbing.

"On Mayne Island" photo by ldyck

Writing: The Right Foot Forward by Leanne Dyck

"Night sky" ldyck

Oh, 2018, I have big plans for you. I want you to be the year the right publisher chooses me.

But what if they don't?

No, I can't think like that. There's no point. I can't control another's actions...chooses. I can only keep clicking my pen, keep tapping away on my keyboard. I can only continue to believe in my ability to keep dancing--write, revise, submit. Keep trusting. Keep believing.

You will be an amazing year.

"In Byron's arms" ldyck