2011 - A Year in Review

[fredbassett]

*waves a paw* Happy New Year, folks!

2011 was an odd year. Healthwise it was nowhere near as good as I'd hoped. I slid back into depression-related problems, including a very unwelcome return to the acute anxiety states I've suffered from in the past. It appears very likely that menopause has been the trigger for a lot of this, and it was meant higher dose anti-depressants again and a return to CBT therapy, which I hope will be helpful. I also haven't been as active physically as I'd hoped, but I'm aiming to try to change that this year.

On the plus side I've seen a lot of my fandom friends for meet ups and had a great time with bigtitch, lukadreaming and kerry_louise staying with Mr FB and I in France for a week in July.

It's been a better year than I expected on the writing front. I had a big dip in the middle of the year but then in August decided to hvae a big push to at least equal my word count for 2010 (in round figures 257,000). I never thought I'd do it as it meant 30K a month for the rest of the year, but to my surprise I did make it, and another 13K on top. That took my total for the year to 270,000. In rough figures (Because my ability to use a calculator sucks!) that turned out to be around 94,000 on my Stephen/Ryan, Lester/Lyle ongoing series, 157,000 on other Primeval stuff, 7,000 of drabbles and around 9,000 words of original fic.

One goal that didn't get met was finishing the ongoing Silk and Steel series being co-authored with my darling Evil Twin, munchkinofdoom. After a longer than expected hiatus, we were well stuck into the final plot ARC in August/early September, with nearly 18K in the bag, but this came to an abrupt halt when Munchkin had a fall and shatterered her hip. I'm very much hoping that when she's finally home and back in the swing of things, this year will see S&S finally finished.

I'm not setting goals this year, other than to say I'm still enjoying my writing and although occasionally I do find it hard, it's also my best escape from other problems and when it's working well I feel great about it. I think I will attempt to keep up the primeval100 drabbles again, and it would be nice to write more original fic as well.

Comments

[define-serenity.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year ♥!

[fredbassett]

And the same to you!

[freddiejoey.livejournal.com]

Hope 2012 is really lovely for you. You're an inspiration woman.

[fredbassett]

That's very sweet of you :)

2011 was definitely brightened by meeting you!

[kerry-louise.livejournal.com]

France was awesome *g*

You're word count this year was fantastic! You did really well, especially in December, overshooting your target so much! *is a proud puppy*

And whadda ya mean you're not setting goals? How am I to know what to nag you... um... I mean, gently nudge and encourage you... towards accomplishing!

[fredbassett]

I was really surprised by December's productivity, especially as I had some nasty anxiety attacks in the month.

I'll do some goal related negotiation with you, pups. *g*

Like getting you do to the P100s weekly! And finishing CK.

[nietie.livejournal.com]

Hugs. I hate menopause.

Your wordcount is awesome!

Hoping you feel better in 2012 and that we have more wonderful Denial meetups and plays.

[fredbassett]

Thanks. It does suck, that's for sure.

I'm certainly hoping for a better 2012.

[reggietate.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year! *hugs*

Given the difficulties you've had, your word count is bloody impressive, and I think you should feel very proud of it :-)

And I like your new icon!

[fredbassett]

Thanks. I was surprised by how well it came together in the last quarter of the year.

I made the icon to go with my new header. I'm rather fond of it.

[freddiejoey.livejournal.com]

Oh and your banner is just absolute awesomeness. Inspired my girls to try some AotB ones. They're not really pleased with the results but it's their first go.

[fredbassett]

I was really pleased with the way this worked. Especially considering it was my very first attempt at a graphic.

[deinonychus-1.livejournal.com]

great total, well done! Especially considering all the problems and stuff.

Happy new year!

[fredbassett]

And to you!

Writing has definitely been a good escape. The anxiety problems have made things had at times, but thankfully it hasn't stopped me writing and posting.

[thelibraniniquity]

That's an amazing set of totals for last year, and I hope this year perks up for you healthwise :)

And of course Happy New Year!

[fredbassett]

Thank you!

And happy new year to you! Your fic has definitely brightened my year.

[hemulenofdoom.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year!

2012 HAS to be better than 2011, which was The Worst. (For one thing, we never did meet up with Our Mutual Friend ... let's do it this year!)

[fredbassett]

Yes, we must definitely do that! It's a date.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

I hope this next year will be much better for you.

[fredbassett]

Thanks, I hope so too :)

I hope it's a good year for you as well.

[telperion-15.livejournal.com]

*cheers your total* That's a fantastic amount, in light of mid-year dips and other issues!

And here's hoping that Munchkin continues to improve well too! :)

[fredbassett]

Thanks :)

Yes, I hope so too. It's been such a long haul for her. 4 months away from home now.

[jaynedoll.livejournal.com]

I think that's a bloody impressive word count by any standard but esp if you've been having health problems & you have other day-to-day stuff to deal with.

We shall definitely have to try & sort out meeting up sometime.

[fredbassett]

Yes, we definitely must. Thanks for all your support this year. It's meant a lot to me.

[capn-mactastic.livejournal.com]

Hope you have a better 2012, and accomplish everything you want to do ♥

[fredbassett]

Thanks, hon :)

I hope you have a great year too.

[byrons-brain.livejournal.com]

::cuddles you tight:: I hope 2012 is a healthier year for you...

[fredbassett]

*snuggles back* Thanks, hon :)

[cordeliadelayne]

That's an excellent word count considering how much you've had going on!

[fredbassett]

Thanks. Doing anything against a backdrop of huge anxiety and self-doubt has been hard, but folks have been massively encouraging and it really has helped. Fic is still a big refuge for me.

[fififolle]

I love your new header and gorgeous icon. I think you'll find that making stuff like that is a great escape too. It is horrible to think that you're having such a hard time physically when you are such an awesome person *hugs you*

Your wordcount is fabulous, I don't think I'll ever make that, but one day it would be nice! When I grow up I want to be you *g*

[fredbassett]

*snuggles you*

You are too knind!

I have decided that I need more lists this year. I always said that with a long enough list I'd be able to rule the world!

[purplecat]

*hugs*

Happy New Year. I hope 2012 is a better one for you healthwise. One of the things I'd like to do is start up with the ficisforfun prompts again as well.

[fredbassett]

And to you!

I would be very behind that as an idea.

I might aim for one per month, but more substantial than a drabble.

I also want to get back to one of my unfinished novels.

[libra-traveller.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year! I too am hoping 2012 is much better, for all my friends and my family and myself as well. It's been neat to see how much you've been writing. Inspired me to keep writing as well. This year is going to be the year I finish one of my novel stories. I'm determined! Best wishes.

[fredbassett]

How lovely to hear from you!

I'll be behind you all the way on that aim :)

[msb66.livejournal.com]

A very Happy New Year to you!

Fantastic word count and just keep going, I say!! I really do hope that the health issues improve though and that 2012 is brighter.

[fredbassett]

And to you!

Thank you, I will. I always tend to get a bit despondent rather than bouyed up by new beginnings, which is a bit odd, but I am trying very hard to focus on poistive not negatives this year.

[kristen-mara.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad that you ended up writing so much - it certainly can be an escape and make the writer (and reader) feel great!

Looking forward to what you produce this year and hopefully in 2013 or 2014 I can come over for a Denial catch up. That might be one of my long-term 'save up' goals.

And let's hope that 2012 is much better health wise.

[fredbassett]

It would be wonderful to meet you!!

Thanks for all your kind words and support during the year.

[eriah211.livejournal.com]

I hope you will feel better this new year, dear. *hugs*

Your wordcount is so impressive I can't stare directly at it *hides in shame* But I did stare at your new header and icon. Lovely! Very lively coloring, you are doing great with your new graphic skills ^_^

[fredbassett]

The colouring, background all came from teh cap I did of the big man made anomly in s5 and I built all the smaller boxes out of that.

Thank you, I am so in awe fo your skills!!