Rachel’s Random Resources

2020 has begun with a great deal of destruction, loss and anxiety for us in Australia. I will write more  about this, but I also need to take it on board – it’s part of me now.

And I can still do bits and pieces – like this list of twenty positive actions.

This week, I’m looking over my shoulder, gathering strength for the times ahead.

Last year, 2019, was pivotal for me in many ways:

• I had two books published
  • The Stars in the Night 
  • The Ruined Land: Chronicles of the Pale #3
  • Thanks to Odyssey Books for the thrill and the sterling support
• I had two launch parties
• I revamped my website a little
  • Thanks to Natalie at Words on a Page
• I joined the reviewing team at Aurealis magazine
  • Thanks to reviews editor extraordinary Eugen Bacon
• I attended my first Supernova
  • Thanks to author Lachlan Walter for sharing a table!
• I started an author instagram page
  • @ Clare Rhoden Author
• I joined a few writer-focused groups on Facebook
  • the #WritingCommunity is wonderfully supportive
• I read 89 novels (yep, 119% of my target 75 LOL)
• and I sent all four of my published novels on blog tours
  • Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources

I could say that 2019 is the year that convinced me that I am writer. So that was quite affirming, as well as a huge relief! Looks like I can sort of do this thing I’ve always longed to do.

Middle Child Reads

Some of you know that I ‘suffer’ from Middle Child Syndrome. I’m not the eldest, or the youngest; I’m not the prettiest, or the most artistic; I’m not the most talented sportsperson, or the most charming bloke. Each one of those titles belongs to one of my six siblings. Three older, three younger. (Search Middle Child Memes – they’re hilarious!)

Your classic middle child, so they say, craves the attention that is lavished on their older and younger sibs. Mid kids are said to be overachievers as they try desperately to be noticed. I could call 2019 the year of overachievement.

But I won’t. I’d rather say that my defining characteristic is that  I’m the reader – reading is my superpower – and now I feel I can confidently say

I’m the writer!

Oooh, that felt good.

Thank you so much for your support and interest in 2019. Next week I’d better get my head properly around 2020.