2024 wrap-up

Because it's that time of year

Wow.

Almost at the end of 2024 and so it's time for the annual wrap up - I say that, but I genuinely don't know if I did one last year. Was I even really here? I have no idea. I mean, it's debatable as to whether I was really here this whole damn year.

So, let's get into it.

2024 is the hardest year I've had in a really long time. It was so hard. I went into it with one chronic condition and I'm leaving it with three. I've spent more time than ever before on alert for friends and family members who were actively trying to take themselves out of this world, including two incredibly intense months in my own home. More intense than the 18 or so intense months that came before that. Things are MUCH better on that front now, thankfully! But I think I'm still recovering. Still working through my trauma - and finally saw the Dr and got a referral for some counselling of my own, which will hopefully happen earlyish in the new year.

I started the year feeling like finally it was going to be the year of Cassie, but damn if that didn't fall apart quickly. For several reasons - I have had terrible boundaries. My situation required a lot of extra energy output. More trauma. Lots of hypervigilance. I hit the worst burnout I've possibly ever had, and that's after being in burnout already and feeling like I was on the path to recovery - dammit!

And yet...

My family and friends are all still alive. I had a bunch of wins, which I have to thank Instagram for telling me about. They sent me a wrap up thing with all the highlights and it made me realize that despite it all, I did pretty well!

So, let's go over those things, focus on the good and not dwell on the bad.

I published two new books - Courting Gemini came out in May and basically did nothing. I think it earned out its costs, but not much more than that. I was already burnt out by then and didn't feel like the book was everything I wanted it to be, which made it hard for me to promote. And also made me sad, because the idea was epic, and I love my characters.

On the other hand, In the Spirit released this month and I felt SO buzzy about that! I actually shared some snippets and posted about it in places, and it's doing really well. I put this down to Iris Beaglehole's devoted readers - I'm grateful they are taking a chance on a book that has me as co-writer, and it's been really delightful to see that some people are reading all the way through and then going on to pick up another one of my books. One that basically hasn't sold a copy in years!

It was also a highlight to get that book out at all. I first published it Dec 1st 2014, and while I loved the original Kotahi Bay series, it was my debut and I have become a much better writer, and felt like that series deserved so much more. Iris suggested we rewrite it together and that has been an absolutely magical experience. Literally. I can't wait to get stuck into book two in the new year.

I had some great teaching opportunities - my second time at Kāpiti Writers’ Retreat where I taught worldbuilding and had the most amazing class, as well as the NZSA Roadshow in Manawatu with a lovely group of people. It was an almost surreal experience because I had a migraine and relied on the kindness of others to get through.

I also did a couple of panels at the Auckland Writers Festival for the first time, and that was so great! I loved the experience.

And, I had a solo writer talk at our local library for an event as well, which was a first for me.

I got asked to be the featured writer for takahē, a literary mag here in NZ. I was really surprised because I don't necessarily write what I'd have assumed they wanted, but they assured me they wanted me. I really enjoyed writing fog/fugue for them and was thrilled to find out that they had nominated my story as one of their six nominations for the Pushcart Prize.

I also got asked if I'd submit a microfiction to a bilingual anthology, and I threw something at that, not expecting it to get in - but the editor loved it, and so next year I'll have my first story published in both English and in Te Reo Māori.

Sloane and I finalized and published Death in the Mouth Vol 2 - which is even more gorgeous than the first one!

My Canadian bestie/co-writer Dee came all the way here to Aotearoa NZ and we hung out!!! I met Sara, and we all had the loveliest time together. It was soul filling in the best way.

I took my kids to their first ever protest, which was amazing. Such a fantastic turnout that I think really made the kids feel like there are things you can do to let our government know we aren't okay about the things they are doing.

I learned a lot about myself, about the way I work, about the things that are important to me and help me function, and I'm taking more time than ever to rest and be alone. (Hello 3am starts!), and I'm leaving 2024 in better physical health than I started, which feels really good. Harlow and I are going to have to extend our walks, because we both need a little more, and I love that so much.

Oh, and as of this date - 23rd of Dec - I've read 335 books this year, which is awesome!

I finally feel like I'm coming out of burnout, and despite telling myself that I'm going to take a break this month, I've been working on goals and plans for the future - and a lot of reading, but still, I want to get started, am chomping at the bit, and have to keep reminding myself that I'm not working right now. I'm resting and reading as many of my physical TBR as I can. I’m still recovering. Still making up for so much burnout and will need to keep doing so for the foreseeable future.

Right. That's an extremely long wrap up! If you made it all the way to the end, I'd love to know some of the highlights of your year if you want to share.

OH! I almost forgot - I launched Chronically Burnt Out (but hopeful)!!! How could I forget? I guess it just feels like an extension of me rather than something new, but it’s been a huge help to me. I hope it’s made you think, or smile, or grow.

Let's make 2025 shiny.