Randoms by Rach

2016

There is a lot of talk of resolutions at this time of year, and that is understandable. A new year can be a new beginning. 2017 can be the year my life changes, the year I win the lottery, the year I fall apart completely. Who knows? What I do know is I am not as apprehensive as usual for this time of year. Don't get me wrong. I'm not all, "Bring on 2017. This is my year!" No. But I am feeling like 2016 wasn't all bad. In terms of writing and WDC, it's been incredible. 2016 is the first year—whole year—I've gone through without truly wishing I was dead at some point. That's some achievement, right? I'm okay with being alive. I'm enjoying vast portions of being alive. That's new. I like it (although, I'm cautious not to like it too much, or it will be taken away.)

I don't know. It's been a funny old year. So many talented, beloved people taken from us far too young. From David Bowie, to Alan Rickman; Prince to George Michael; Victoria Wood to Caroline Aherne; and now Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. And these are naming only a few. The ones who shocked me the most. It feels like we will be missing a lot of talent, as we saunter into 2017. I only hope the losses take a rest now. Leave us to grieve those who are gone. Give us some space. But, you know what? Sometimes the most effective way to grieve is to remember them when they were most alive. Watch Star Wars, or Singing In The Rain. Listen to some Wham!, or solo George, play some Prince. Appreciate their talent. Lose yourself in their talent. This clip I'm attaching is of Victoria Wood, singing "The Ballad of Barry & Freda." I think, maybe, it's a British sense of humour and may not translate very well. But I think it's hilarious, and this is how I want to remember her:






So, WDC . . . well. I looked back over my blog at the end of last year. I had many plans, many things I wanted to explore further. And guess what? Pretty much all of them, I didn't. I've realised that it doesn't matter how many plans you make, life almost always has other ideas. My plans for this year include focussing more on autobiographical pieces; working on my memoirs. It feels odd to say that. I mean, my life is pretty uneventful really. But I feel like I'm ready to tell my story now. Even if no one else ever reads it. It's been simmering under my skin for a long time now. I've always been too frightened to open myself up to the memories, but I've written a few pieces this year that have totally opened myself up. And I've survived. More than that; I've felt good about it. Eventually. These are some of the pieces to which I'm referring: "PTSD & Me" , "21st July 1988" , "Behind Closed Doors"  and "To cancer" . Each of these won first place in their respective contests. The feeling of validation brought me to tears each time. So I think that's something to focus on in 2017.

This year, I was honoured to be nominated for six Quill Awards. I won Best Drama/Emotional for my Poetry folder, and I won an Honourable Mention for my poem, "Royal Wootton Bassett" . A Quill Award . . . me! Seriously?! I cannot describe how good that felt.

Two more fantastic honours happened this year. At the end of October, I discovered I have been chosen to join the Future Rising Stars Programme. Again, I couldn't believe how lucky I am. It's such a great opportunity for growth and developing my writing. It's pushing me to write in ways I've never before considered. And the other future stars are a massively talented bunch. It's great to be alongside them in this programme. I have to mention, at this point, the wonderful Hannah ♫♥♫ who is my sponsor in Rising Stars. She has been a great friend over this year, and the best mentor a person could ask for. Love ya, Hannah!

The other honour (and, oh my gosh, what an honour!) was being promoted to preferred author. Yes, that's right! I'm yellow. I had a smile on my face for about a week after I found this out. I hadn't thought it was important to me before. But when it happened, I discovered it really, really mattered. Fantastic! Such a confidence boost.

All through this year, I've been active in Paper Doll Gang, Newbies Academy Group, and WDC Power Reviewers. It's hard to fit everything in sometimes, especially now I'm in the Rising Stars Programme, but I'm doing my best. I love being a captain in Power Reviewers. Reading other people's reviews, and crediting them, is something I enjoy immensely. It also gives me tips on things to improve in my own writing and reviews, so it's educational, as well. I love leading the Special Occasions Forum also. It's the friendliest, most welcoming, supportive forum ever. I love how people stand behind each other. It's great.

I've been running the Verdant Poetry Contest since June. I wanted my own contest for this year, and now I have it. Okay, it's not a contest that I created, but I it's been transferred to me, and judging it is brilliant. It means I get to read more poetry, and that's something I never tire of.

So, I guess I should think of my plans for next year. Write, write, write. It's how you get better. I must listen to others, and learn from their advice. I have done this a lot, and I feel like I've learned a lot.

This is an idea I stole from Shaye . I have a list of all the different WDC genres, and I aim to review in as many of them as possible. Starting tomorrow. It could be very interesting. Or it could not happen. Who knows? We'll see.

Well, I think that's me for 2016. I hope you all have a happy and healthy new year, with lots of writing included!

I'm a little embarrassed to do this but, what the heck? Here is some ABBA:




Rachel