Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

What a Year! 2012 in Review

I don't have the words to explain this past year. Pictures will have to do. It went from this: 


                                                                                        to this:                                           
  














And this:

Go here to find out what the heck I'm referring to.


And it went from this:




To this:



For the full story go here.

And I decided to do more blogging here and here and here than here.

As far as social media goes, I am now doing a whole lot more with 

and with    but nothing at all with

nor do I intend to, unless it changes enough to attract me.

2012 was my year to figure it all out and 2013 is my year to JUST DO IT.

Which means doing more of this:


And that's my year in review, past, present and future. What about you, my blogging friends? Any insights from 2012 and plans for 2013?



36 comments:

  1. Oh heck, you're not looking in this direction for insight, surely? As for plans - well, I'm currently in Bangkok, heading north tomorrow and then to Laos - will that do for now?

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    1. Happy traveling, Jo! I need to read your book to see how you do it.

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  2. Your 2012 was fantastic, Karen! May your 2013 continue along the same path. :)

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  3. Oh wow!! You have your own cookie company!! How utterly yummy and scrummy!! Yay!! All the best with your 2013,KarenG! You are so amazing!!! Take care
    x

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  4. Love your year in review in pictures - and I totally agree about Google Plus!

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    1. Sheila, Yes, it's a social media graveyard. Sad though, it could've been much better, not sure what went wrong.

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  5. I love the look of those cookies. My goodness, girl, you have accomplished a great amount this past year. I am going to roam by the Bay and see what the tide brings in. Happy New Year - now; I have to go here n here n here to see all the rest of your year. Cheers

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    1. SaucyKod, If anyone really does follow all those links I'll be really surprised LOL. Walking along the Bay sounds wonderful!

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  6. Wow, what a great year you had! Mine was the worst year of my life, so there is no other way to go but up. Happy New Year!

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    1. Marguerite, So sorry to hear that. As I've roamed around the Internet I've seen a lot of similar sentiment about 2012. I can't say it was fabulous for me, in many ways it was extremely difficult, but of course condensed to a little post, it looks pretty great haha.
      I do hope that 2013 brings you all you wish for, dear Marguerite.

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  7. I like the visuals!
    Does this mean that your cookie business is BIG time now?

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    1. Alex, No and I'm sure it never will be, simply because my goal in life is not to be a baker. See my comment below :)

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  8. Very sweet!
    I, too, am a cookie devotee.

    Just *please* don't abandon the writing/editing/publishing gem you have nurtured and built. {My first small publisher walked away from children's books to tend to the much more lucrative business of whiskey pubs, so I'm a bit scarred.}

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    1. Mirka, That absolutely WILL NOT happen. Writing and editing is my first love. The cookie business is something we do as a nice counterbalance to the mental intensity of publishing. Actually WiDo was more lucrative in 2012 than our cookie business, but we continue to make cookies because of that agreeable counterbalance. They work extremely well together. Sorry to alarm you!

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  9. A busy year for you! I've got another little one coming any day now, so that'll be my big focus in 2013 (as well as shifting my now-four-year-old into some organized activities). Writing-wise, hmm...I'd like to write 2 new MG stories and continue improving. 2012 felt like a year of stretching in different directions, both writing-wise and personally. I'm hoping to feel a little more settled by the end of 2013. Oh, and I think I'm finally going to just cancel my Facebook account~ too much guilty over not updating it EVER :)

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  10. Jess,

    "2012 felt like a year of stretching in different directions, both writing-wise and personally. I'm hoping to feel a little more settled by the end of 2013."

    Exactly how I felt!!! I like how you put it. And congratulations on your new arrival, very exciting! If you get any writing done at all I applaud you.

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  11. Karen, my word you have been a busy bee this year (sorry last year! - error due entirely to me wanting to hibernate during this dreadful spell of weather we are having across the pond - the wettest on record with floods everywhere. The ducks had a fantastic Christmas, if everything else was swimming for their lives.

    I am sorry to report that, with the excepting of our daughter's wedding in August, 2012 was not particularly kind to us, with the re-occurrence and spreading of my wife's breast cancer. I explain it all on my Christmas post, but the good news is that she is responding well to chemo and has just had her 5th from a course of 6.

    Let's hope 2013 is much kinder.

    Wishing you a very healthy, prosperous, happy and truly inspirational one from a writing viewpoint, with best sellers coming out of your ears.

    Oh! and I have not forgotten about the humourous cookbook idea which I shall resurrect when I am 'full of beans' (baked ones dashed with a few decapitated eggs LOL).

    Hugs (if I may) ~ Eddie

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  12. Thank you Karen for your very warm and valued comment - much appreciated.

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  13. Years ago watching Oprah (I watched chat shows during the summer when I was a teenager) I heard the phrase "Learning from joy."

    2012 was my year to learn from joy. I feel utterly blessed.

    2013 is the year I outdo myself. I'm getting my second book out, writing my third, and seeing my daughters through their first year on this Earth.

    Bring it!

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  14. You have had a craaaazy busy year! Like all of us. It seems like 2012 was the year to GEAUX, yes? And now I can't wait to see what 2013 holds!

    Cookies... mmmm... :d

    Here's to a super new year! *hugs* <3

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  15. Karen, I'm in great envy of your clean desk. I keep promising to clean mine but something always comes up and the clutter grows deeper! Happy New Year!

    Monti
    Mary Montague Sikes

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    1. Monti, I was confused by your clean desk comment, since I don't even work at a desk (I'm a curl up on the sofa or bed kind of writer), and then I realized you referred to the photo-- which just so you don't feel bad I'll clarify. It is not my desk but my dining room table!

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  16. Hi Karen - gosh lots going on in your life - I'll be joining with you for some of it ... and holding onto your coat-tails ...

    I'm decluttering as much as I can ... and have new projects as well as the blog etc .. I'd love an organised 2013 - that's my early goal ..

    Now - I need a cooikie!! Sounds like 2013 will be much fun for you ... and here's to lots of success - cheers Hilary

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  17. You've accomplished so much. It's a real pleasure to know you and call you a friend. Even if I am now craving a chocolate chip cookie :)

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    1. Carol, Haha, flattery will get you everywhere. Here, have a cookie!

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  18. A very happy New Year to you and all your family also, from me and Jen, dear friend!

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  19. A very happy New Year to you and all your family also, from me and Jen, dear friend!

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  20. Having had a rather sickly year, I learned that at my age the most important thing is to stay healthy. Of course to not fall down is also important. I don't make plans any longer. I just wake up, put a smile on my face (to prevent feeling sad or depressed), eat breakfast, and walk my dogs for an hour. That usually sets me up for a good day and I highly recommend it. If no dogs are around, a friend or hubby or partner will do just fine. Have a wonderful, happy new year, Karen. and thanks for all the good advice and things you so generously give out throughout the year.

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  21. That is AWESOME! I love the pictures. You've had such a great year!

    This year, I'm going to finish querying my dystopian and finish my other book. ;)

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  22. Karen, you've been busy! Looks like 2012 was a great year:). May you have an awesome 2013! I hope to do more with social networking this year. too;).

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  23. Homemade cookies are always a good idea.

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  24. Hi Karen! Long time no see!
    You have certainly gone through some changes in the past couple of years. Congrats to you on that. Hey, I had no idea about the cookies! I'm back to blogging and I'll be catching up here soon. Hope you had a nice holiday season.

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  25. I like that--a year to figure it all out... For 2013, you're the Nike girl--Just do it!!!

    Happy writing,
    Monti

    P.S. I would love to be a guest talking about my lost time with Night Watch...Thank you.

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    1. Monti, Just email me about your guest post. My email is on the sidebar below my profile. I'd love to have you!

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  26. Loved the presentation, Karen! Also, your new header is beautiful.

    2012 whirled by in a cloud of dust. Once it settled I felt like not very much was accomplished. I wrote very little. Blogged even less, and was stranded away from my home for nearly half the year, working on a design project that seemed to never end.

    BUT for 2013, I am focused. Staying put in Chicago. I have sent out seven query letters this week for my second novel. Critiqued a blogger friends' novel, and have finished a third of the edit on my first novel.

    I finished putting Christmas away today and tomorrow back to editing. I have plans to work again on my Film Noir Novella sometime this week between queries, and editing. I am also considering entering the ABNA contest for the fourth year in a row. I am also back to blogging and feeling one with our community again. I have missed so much last year.

    So like you, Karen, I plan to just DO IT!!!

    Wishing you ALL the BEST for 2013!

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    1. Michael, not sure how I missed this comment but I must say ROCK ON! Wonderful writing goals for 2013, Michael, and knowing you I'm sure you will meet if not exceed them.

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