It's time for another weekly celebration with Vikki at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author. Thanks as always to Vikki for hosting this hop!
First off, I'm celebrating that I had a truly wonderful Christmas this week filled with lots of laughter and fun with some of the people I love most in this world. What else can you ask for, right? I hope that all of you who celebrate Christmas also had a fantastic holiday.
Vikki suggested that for this last hop of 2013 we look back and celebrate the whole year, and I thought that was a great idea.
To me, 2013 will always be about the two books I had published! If someone had told me a few years back that by the end of December, 2013 I would have two books out in the world I would have asked them what kind of drugs they were taking. It just goes to show you never really know what can happen when you take a chance and try a new path.
Which leads me to the start of that path, this blog. December 31 will be my third anniversary of blogging and I can honestly say that taking that step that day in 2010 has been one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. When looking back at 2013 it's a thrill to realize that I've made tons of new friends out here in blog land (while still cherishing the old ones) in spite of the fact that I've been at this now for three years.
So I'm celebrating this amazing community that I am so proud and grateful to be part of and that has enriched my life in ways I never could have imagined back in 2010 when I hit "publish" for the first time.
Thanks to all of you and I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year. Here's to a wonderful 2014 for all of us.
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Starting a blog changed my life forever. I never envisioned any of this - not the success of my books, the IWSG, the friends I've made. The journey has been amazing.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you, too!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely high points to celebrate! Happy New Year :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you, too, Julie!
ReplyDeleteWhen you get a chance, you might want to check out my Thursday post…. :)
This is such a heart-warming post. It's wonderful to hear that you had a great Christmas and I share your sentiments about the blogging world. I've learned so much and made many friends. It's certainly a blessing to be involved in this community =)
ReplyDeleteIt was an epic year all around. Super post!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on have two books out! Best wishes for a fabulous 2014.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, in a few weeks it will be my one year blog anniversary…its been a blast! I've met amazing people, like you, and with your encouraging words I also became published. What a feeling, huh?
ReplyDelete2013 was really great for you, congrats on your achievements. Now, go and have a new wonderful year! :)
@Alex, I never could have envisioned all this either. And I really have the A-Z challenge to thank for a lot of it, that first challenge totally changed my blogging experience forever.
ReplyDelete@Shelly, thanks and Happy New Year to you, HB, SPAL, and all your family.
@Laura, thanks!
@Madeline, oh, I will! You have me curious now. :D
@Emilyann, it really is, I totally agree.
@Huntress, it was! :)
@Elizabeth, thank you!
@Kate, I did, still can't really believe it.
@SK, oh, it seems like you have been blogging for much longer! So glad we bumped into each other. :)
So happy you had a lovely Christmas, Julie! You've accomplished so much this year. I'll bet next year will be even more sensational for you!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a wonderful year in publishing. May 2014 see more of your work in print.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
@Deanie, oh, that would be nice, thanks!
ReplyDelete@Nana, I hope so, thank you!
@Gina, thanks and same to you. :)
OMGosh, it's amazing what the year has wrought. Two published books for you Julie, Congrats!! It's been a whirlwind year and hope next year is stupendous!
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful year of celebration for you. Congratulations on all you have accomplished. And all the Best Wishes for continued success in 2014. Happy New Year.
Inge
You had a great year Julie! All the reason to celebrate big.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful year it's been for you! Congratulations on all your success. Wishing you all the best in 2014. ☺
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post! Congratulations on a such a successful year, and now wishing triple the success in 2014!
ReplyDelete@Cathy, we've both had lots to celebrate this year! I hope next year is stupendous for both of us. :)
ReplyDelete@Inge, thanks so much, and Happy New Year to you and Pasha too. :)
@Sheena-kay, definitely, you have to celebrate when you can. Thanks so much.
@Dana, thanks!
@Yolanda, that would be nice, I hope so!! Same to you for the year ahead. :)
Glad to hear you had a fantastic Christmas! Having two books published in a single year is so, so impressive. And it's your third blogging anniversary, too? Congrats! Hope you have just as many exciting things to celebrate in 2014! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had such a great Christmas, and congratulations on your amazing 2013! I'm always amazed, when I think back to the day I started my blog, how much I've achieved too. You really never think such a tiny little decision can make such a huge change! Have a very happy 2014, I'm looking forward to many more books from you (and just about to buy your latest with my Christmas money!)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on both your books, Julie, and Happy 2014!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on an awesome year!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree about blogging, I know I wouldn't be where I am if I hadn't started either. This community is just so fantastic!
@Heather, thanks so much, that would definitely be nice. :)
ReplyDelete@Annalisa, oh, thanks, I hope you will like it. I will always be so grateful I started this blog, no doubt.
@Marcy, thanks, you too!
@Rachel, it really is. Thanks so much.
I'm glad you started your blog, too. Otherwise, we have never met.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing you've accomplished so much in 3 years. You should be proud of yourself!
ReplyDeleteI'm wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2014!
I agree with Lexa! I've also been at this for 3 years, and I've enjoyed watching you bloom! Congrats on all of your success, Julie! I loved Polar Night, and hope to read The Ghosts of Aquinnah before your first sequel is published! Wishing you a very happy, and well-rested (like that's going to happen) New Year!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Congratulations on a great year, Julie! This online community is really something.
ReplyDeleteI hope 2014 will be just as amazing for you.
ReplyDelete@Susan, aww, thank you for saying that, I feel the same.
ReplyDelete@Lexa, same to you, thank you!
@Julie, thank you so much, you are the best. Happy New Year to you and your family!
@Milo, it is! Thanks so much.
@Vanessa, thank you, here's to a great 2014 for you too.
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteYou have much joyous celebration. A wonderful Christmas and the publication of your two books.
And now I note that the final day of the year will be your third anniversary of blogging. Like you, I embrace this amazing sharing, caring community.
A very upbeat, positive posting, dear friend.
All the very best to you and your loved ones in 2014.
Gary :)
Congrats on your two published books and three years blogging! What a ride and a happy 2013 to you - and look forward to what 2014 may bring!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on having two books published this year. That's a big accomplishment. Hope you have a Happy New Year and a great year.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great community. I'd not be where I am without you. Thank you for all of the wonderful things you've done to help me out.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all success in 2014 and I can't wait for your next book. :)
@Gary, aww, thank you and I'm looking forward to another year with you and Penny. :)
ReplyDelete@Vikki, thanks so much!
@Natalie, thank you and same to you. :)
@Mary, I'm so glad we met back during my first year of blogging! Thanks for all your support and friendship!
Happy New Year, Julie! I completely agree with you about blogging. So glad I started mine, and got to know you through blogging. :)
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy, healthy and successful year ahead, Julie!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteI nominated you for a blogging award. Please stop by www.dhdunne.blogspot.com to find out more. Happy New Year and congratulations.
Happy New Year Julie!! And highfive for publishing 2 books!!
ReplyDeleteYay! Happy New Year, Julie. It's amazing how quickly these things change, eh? A single year and the entire world is a different place. =) Here's to the 2013ers!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on two books! What a great way to end one year and begin another. Happy 2014!
ReplyDelete@Cecilia, aww, thanks, I'm so glad too.
ReplyDelete@Carole, thanks and same to you!
@Deanie, oh, that's so nice of you, thanks!
@Pk, thanks for the high five!
@Crystal, hear, hear! :D
@Bethie, thank you! Happy 2014 to you as well. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Julie! It's going to be a fantastic year. :)
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful new year... here's to us all having an even better year.
ReplyDelete@Christine, I think so too, for all of us! :)
ReplyDelete@Tanja, thanks so much and same to you.
Yep, I don't think I'd be where I am today if I hadn't started blogging.
ReplyDeleteMmm... we started around the same time, didn't we? :-)
I also believe blogging was the best move I made too. I have gotten so much support and info from fellow bloggers...I'd have been lost without it.
ReplyDeleteMerry 2014 Julie!
If I hadn't started blogging, then I would NEVER have pursued "serious" writing, or the possibility of publication.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 3rd blog-o-versary AND publishing 2 BOOKS! What an achievement!
Wishing you a happy, peaceful and productive 2014, Julie!
Writer In Transit
Happy New year, Julie.
ReplyDeleteI just want to echo everything you said in this post, especially about about blogging. I have no doubt in my mind that I would not have started taking my writing seriously without the blogging community behind me. They are an awesome bunch.
Here's to a successful 2014!