Glancing Back, Looking Forward to 2023

 A Decade of Change: Me in 2012 and again in 2022

        At the beginning of a new year, it is traditional to take a good, long look over my shoulder at things I both accomplished and survived in prior years. As I have stated in the past, I prefer to shine a spotlight on my books rather than on my personal life, but 2022 has been one event-filled year for me, so I don't mind sharing a few of the bigger moments. 

        My eldest son graduated in June with a Masters of Science in Software Engineering. Big accomplishment! My middle son was accepted into the mechanical engineering major program at his university. He is working hard to pass those difficult classes. My youngest son returned to school to pursue his degree. He is close to finishing. He also proposed to his girlfriend (now fiancée) on the steps of the Nashville Parthenon. How exciting! My father, unfortunately, suffered some health problems this past year including a case of Covid. He has since healed and is regaining his strength with the aid of physical therapy. 

        The biggest change in 2022 was my own. After three years of dating a wonderful man, I married him in August. My new husband is a kind, gentle, supportive, noble, fun-loving person who enjoys reading. Ours was a long-distance relationship (never an easy way to date) but he won me over by reading books to me over the phone. Not only does he read aloud, he does voices! Yes, I fell for a storyteller. Before the wedding, I spent two months packing up my house, then sold it, and finally moved across the country to live in a new city that has proven to be quite friendly. It certainly has been a year of big personal change and positive growth. 

         What about my writing goals? It is hard to believe a decade has gone by since I published my first book, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue. I love that story. It recounts the adventures of a young girl destined to rule a strange but fascinating nation. It was my debut novel as well as a unique learning opportunity. Since then, I have gained a great deal of knowledge about the writing process, and I have grown markedly as a novelist and poet.

         What began as a challenge to compose a single book became the catalyst for an unanticipated love of storytelling. Eena, The Dawn and Rescue was quickly followed by a second book that continued along the same storyline. Then came book three, followed by yet another. It still amazes me how I was able to write an entire six-book saga within a four-year period! Absolutely not my initial goal!

         After completing the Harrowbethian Saga, I branched out to try my hand at comprising original quotes, thoughts, and poetry for every day of the year. Smile Anyway was the result, and it turned out to be a bigger success than expected. The shocking surprise was finding my book quotes reprinted in news articles as well as in various other books. And not just a few! It has been a thrill to see my quotes scroll by on websites, reprinted in an Oxford Philosophy: Being Human course book and in seven different Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and even shared on a tv episode of Alone. What a treat! 

         With the success of Smile Anyway, I went on to write three additional quote/poetry/short-story books for my sons as high school graduation gifts: Making Wishes, Slaying Dragons, and Being Bold. Part of the gift included 50% of the royalties from the sale of every book. Not a bad way to help out struggling college students.

         As much as I love fantasy and science fiction, I have always admired the great novelists, my personal favorite being Victor Hugo. It stood to reason that I would challenge myself to write a stand-alone novel with both dramatic and tragic elements. Dandelions: The Disappearance of Annabelle Fancher was the result of this endeavor. Composing Annabelle's story caused me many tearful moments; her story was not easy to tell. I doubt it can be read with a dry eye or a callous heart. The book was designed to stir up feelings of shock, anger, and dismay for the cruel and unjust situations so often overlooked in society. Writing Dandelions was an emotional trial as much as it was a writing challenge, which is why I wrote a lighthearted tale to accompany the novel. Secrets of a Noble Key Keeper is a short, fun fairy tale all ages will enjoy.

         Last year, I published my thirteenth book, entirely unique from my previous writings. The Tarishe Curse was originally meant to be a simple short story for a friend who loves All Hallows Eve. But as my friend asked questions about what happens next, I was obliged to come up with a new chapter every Halloween. After so many years of adding chapters, one by one, it became apparent that a book was ready and waiting to be completed. The hardest part was devising an ending that wrapped up the whole crazy ordeal! It took some creativity, but it gave me an idea for a backstory about one formidable character in the book. Something to look forward to in the future!

         Another thing I like to do every New Years is compare my starting numbers on social media with any growth. It motivates me to see improvement. Be it slow or small, progress is progress! Increases in followers, book sales, ratings & reviews, internet posts, and/or loyal readers is forward movement toward my goals.  

THEN	NOW
Ten years ago, 8 people considered my writing inspiring enough to call themselves a fan or follower on Goodreads.	Today, 250 people now follow me on Goodreads. Thank you!
Ten years ago, 40 people liked my most popular book quote on Goodreads out of thirty quotes posted at the time.	Today, my most popular quote on Goodreads has 409 likes out of the 1,678 original quotes posted. Wow! I guess I have a lot to say.
Ten years ago, I started with 3 Twitter followers.	Today, I have 2,295. Thank you too!
Six years ago, my author website had 13,552 visits.	Today, my author website has had 27,232 visits (and counting.) Nice!
Six years ago, 441 people followed my Facebook author page.	Today, 921 people follow my Facebook author page.
Six years ago, 397 followed my Instagram.	Today, 596 follow my Instagram page.
Six years ago, 41 followed me on Tumblr.	Today, 124 follow me on Tumbler. Slow and steady progress.

 

     As I have said many times, I am indeed grateful for my readers and supporters. Thank you for purchasing my books. Thank you for leaving kind reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and other websites where my books are sold; it helps more than you know. Thank you for telling friends and acquaintances about my written works. I am grateful to live in a day and place where I have the privilege of educational opportunities, writing opportunities, and self-publishing opportunities. What a magnificent blessing! No matter how slow or fast the progress, I am accomplishing my goals, and that makes me happy.

Happy New Year 2023! 

I am looking forward to greater accomplishments.

Oh, and if you feel so inclined, follow me on my social sites:

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The Journey Continues in 2022

     Can you believe nine years have passed since I published my very first book, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue ? It was a dream come true that took two years of initial writing, then editing, followed by a cover illustration, and finally work with a publisher. I was elated the day I held the first printed copy in my hands. I was an actual published author! 

     Soon after, I turned to social media sites to introduce myself and my book to the world. It was great fun gaining new followers little by little over time. Since then, I have received messages and emails from readers about my stories and quotes, not to mention questions from fellow authors about their works in progress. This journey still continues, and it is an exciting one.

     Many quotes from my written works have been posted on memes and media sites for people to enjoy. Some of my quotes have been reprinted in various books including multiple versions of Chicken Soup for the Soul and in an Oxford Philosophy: Being Human course book. One quote was used in a Revlon ad magazine campaign, and another was televised on an opening scene of the tv program, Alone, on the History channel. That was a thrill!

     At the end of each year, I like to look back and compare my starting numbers with present-day numbers such as likes and followers from various places. Progress, even a little, is encouraging. I have learned to appreciate the steady increase in sales, online posts, and loyal readers. So here goes another year of reflection...

Nine years ago, 40 people liked my most popular book quote on Goodreads out of about thirty quotes posted at the time. 

Five years ago, my most popular quote reached 237 likes (out of 977 posted.)  

Today, my most popular quote on Goodreads has 393 likes out of 1,667 quotes posted there. I love it!

Nine years ago, 8 people considered my writing inspiring enough to call themselves a fan or follower on Goodreads. 

Five years ago, the number reached 149. 

Today, 240 people follow me as fans on Goodreads. Thank you!

Nine years ago, I started with 3 followers on Twitter. 

Five years ago, that number increased to 887. 

Today, I have 2,337 Twitter followers. Thank you again!

Five years ago, 13,552 visits were made to my author website. 

Today, my author website has had 20,660 visits (and counting.) Yay!

Five years ago, 441 people followed my Facebook author page, 397 followed me on Instagram, and 41 followed me on Tumblr. 

Today, 918 people follow my Facebook author page, 562 follow my Instagram page, and 208 follow me on Tumbler. 

     Slow and steady progress. I am grateful for it.

     From my first book published in April of 2012, eleven others have followed: a six-book series titled the Harrowbethian Saga; Dandelions, a novel accompanied by a short fairytale; and four motivational books that give readers an original quote/poem/story for every day of the year. Book thirteen will soon follow, a Hallows Eve werewolf adventure titled The Tarishe Curse. I have to say, this is my dream coming true, and I am grateful for every step forward.

    

     I want to add a big THANK YOU to all who have supported me in my writing endeavors. Thanks for purchasing my books, thanks for sharing my books with others, and thanks for leaving kind comments and reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and other websites where my books are sold. It really helps! 

     2021 was a difficult year in personal ways, and I did not get as much writing done as I had hoped. 2022, however, is a fresh chance to make new goals and put pen to paper. I suppose you could say... 

This year, I survived.

Next year, I will thrive! 

Happy New Year, all,

and best of luck on your own personal 2022 goals!

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8 Truths About Change

       Last month I decided to take more time from my busy schedule and devote it to working on certain things I want to improve in my personal life. How is it going, you ask? Slower than I had hoped and yet I do see real progress being made. While concentrating more intently this past month on purposeful change, I have learned a few valuable lessons. Isn't that how it usually goes? I thought I would share these truths; you may find them helpful and enlightening:

1) The worst day is always the first day. Changing a habit or instigating something new is toughest at the start. Through repetition, however, new habits grow. They are strengthened with familiarity.

2) Friends make everything easier. If you want to succeed at a challenge, involve your friends. They have an amazing capacity to lighten physical, emotional, and mental burdens by simply being there.

3) Know what your objective is. Anything that does not contribute to that objective is unnecessary―let those things go.

4) Patience is not only a virtue, it is power, it is influence, it is the richest soil for personal growth.

5) Success is the result of moving forward. Concentrate on that fact, regardless of how slow or fast, how poorly or well things seem to be going. If you are moving forward, you are succeeding.

6) Believing in yourself is enough, but it sure is nice when another's kind words of encouragement kiss your ear. There is genuine strength in verbal expressions of support.

7) Laughing at yourself does more to heal the heart and mind than any medicine. Discouragement and despair cower under a good dose of laughter.

8) It is okay to alter your original plans. To try means to learn. To learn means to grow. To grow means to change.

       I plan to keep at it this month and the next, and the next, and so forth. Time is a critical part of the equation when it comes to change and improvement. Wish me luck on my goals. Best of luck on your own personal goals as well. Remember, never give up!

Looking Back

   Six years ago, I published my first book. I'll admit, holding that smooth paperback copy in my hands, thumbing through the printed pages, was a thrilling experience. I could hardly keep from smiling knowing that every word comprised my own original story. 

     At that same time, I introduced myself on social media. I felt a burst of excitement with every new follower, and I learned to appreciate the slow and steady increase in book sales and internet posts and interviews and every other small event that helped me as a poet and novelist.  

Sometimes it is fun to look back and see how far you've come. Today, on the brink of a new year, it seems like the perfect time for such personal reflection. So here goes.

Six years ago, 40 people "liked" my most popular book quote on Goodreads. Two years ago that number reached 237 "likes." Today, my most popular book quote on Goodreads has 310 "likes."

Six years ago, 8 people considered my writing good enough to call themselves a fan or follower on Goodreads. Two years ago, the number reached 149. Today, 206 people follow me on Goodreads.

Six years ago, I started out with 3 followers on Twitter. Two years ago, that number increased to 887. Today, 1849 people follow me on Twitter.

Other accomplishments include 13,552 visits people have made to my author website, 441 followers on my Facebook author page, 397 followers on my Instagram page, and 122 followers on my Tumblr page. 

From that first book published in April of 2012, nine others have followed. 

I am grateful to all who have supported me as a poet and author. Thank you for purchasing my books. Thank you for leaving kind comments and reviews at Amazon, Goodreads, and other sites where books are sold. Thank you for telling your friends and acquaintences about my works. 

2019 promises to be a good year for writing. Slowly but steadily, I am moving closer to my goal of finding real success as a poet and novelist. Sometimes it is consoling to look back and clearly see that.

Happy New Year, all!


You can follow me on the following social sites:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RichelleEGoodrich/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/REGoodrich

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/richellegoodrich/

Author Website – https://www.richellegoodrich.com

Author Blog - https://regoodrichnews.blogspot.com/

LibraryThing - https://www.librarything.com/profile/REGoodrich

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/regoodrich/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/regoodrich/

Tumblr - http://regoodrich.tumblr.com/

Google+ - https://plus.google.com/u/0/105426719345785938668

Goodreads Profile - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5082833.Richelle_E_Goodrich

Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Richelle-E.-Goodrich/e/B008A6A5W4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vu00_tkin_p1_i9

Five P's for Positive Progress

     At the close of this year, I’ve been contemplating what to write about, going over those things I accomplished and those things I failed to see through during the previous 365 days. I was fortunate to publish two books in 2017: Slaying Dragons―a book of poetry, quotes, and short stories―and Eena, The Two Sisters from my epic fantasy series, The Harrowbethian Saga. My oldest son return from a mission where he served in Tokyo, Japan, and I helped him settle into a dorm room at a state University. I sent my second son to New Zealand where he is currently serving a mission. I worked as a committee chairman for my youngest son’s Boy Scout troop, and I also helped him to prepare for a performance in the local high school musical. I wrote a little poetry and penned a few words of wisdom, but overall I was unable to spend as much time writing as I hoped. There were goals and resolutions on my "to-do" list that were not accomplished.

     Pondering why I was able to see some goals through to the end while others I either partway finished or completely set aside, I came up with what I call the Five P's for Positive Progress. Catchy title, huh? Let's take a look at each one.

1) Priority: The goals I set as top priorities were the ones I saw through to the end. I learned that whatever moved to the forefront of my to-do list was accomplished. Things not considered a priority were neglected.

2) Planning: I have found this to be a huge determiner in accomplishing any goal―planning what, when, where, and how I intend to carry out each step. Writing down the reasons why I want to attain a certain goal motivates me to work at it. Neglecting to plan frequently results in failed attempts.


3) Partitions: My goals were more likely to be achieved when partitioned into small tasks that could be done in short stretches of time. Five or ten-minute tasks I fit into my schedule while time-consuming projects often took a back seat. The impressive thing was watching those five-minute efforts add up to big accomplishments.


4) Preference: The truth is, preferable activities tend to find a way into my daily routine. Goals that I find enjoyable I am willing to sacrifice for, be it a lunch hour or a little sleep. I can get by on five hours of sleep if it means reading a few more chapters in a book I love.


5) Profitable: There is motivation in profit, be it monetary or other benefits. When small accomplishments toward a larger goal result in pleasant rewards, it simply encourages more success toward achieving the end goal.


     This new year I once again made personal resolutions. I want to edit and publish book V and book VI in the Harrowbethian Saga before 2018 comes to a close. My son has challenged me to reach a running goal, one he set for himself as well. I also hope to work on writing more poetry with the intent of putting together a book of my best poems. The Five P's for Positive Progress will help me attain these goals. I know that I have to make them a priority and plan how I intend to accomplish each goal. That plan must include partitioning the whole into small tasks that can fit into my busy schedule. Lastly, I need to make the work both enjoyable and rewarding in order to motivate myself. It is doable!
I hope that these suggestions give you something to ponder as you set your New Year's resolutions. Good luck and Happy New Year! Happy reading too!

"If I must start somewhere, right here and now is the best place imaginable." 

— Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes

I Hope for Change

It's the beginning of a new year, a time of transition and rewinding to begin again.  For me it is a time of reflection on personal accomplishments and disappointments, goals met and those still in progress.  

I hope for change and betterment in this year.  For self-improvement and a gain in learning and wisdom.  I have set goals and outlined a plan, expecting my efforts will produce desired results.  

I hope to create wondrous new works and to see my talents blossom.  I am excited to see what I can do.  

I hope to mirror those virtues I admire in my friends — traits I esteem of value to myself and mankind.  I vow to utilize to a greater extent kindness, patience, humility, decency, and integrity.  

And as I take it upon myself to engage in personal improvement, knowing I will find success to some degree, I hope all who share this earth will chose to do likewise, that our world as a whole may reap the benefits of honed talents, more wisdom, and warmed hearts towards all.  

I do wish the world a cheerful and highly-productive new year.

Gratitude is Medicine

My New Year's Eve was the worst ever.
I felt like the crud under cow herder's shoes, having cried my fair share of tears the past few days. My husband was seriously hurt in a car accident―a wreck that kept him in the hospital for five days, me at his side.  It was wrong; it was just wrong.  For crying in the night, he's the seasoned emergency responder who saves other people in car wrecks!

Life is so not fair. I have been repeating these words as if the fact were some profound epiphany.  This whole thing sucks lemons.  And so for New Year's Eve, all I could think about was how awful, how dreadful 2015 was destined to be.

It seems traditionally we bring in every new year with eager optimism, making grand goals, having great expectations that excite us to action from day one.  We stand at the threshold, hopeful.  But this year, day one kindled no such hope or excitement for me, only a bleak sigh at the unavoidable uphill climb ahead.

It's easy to stew in a pot of "woe is me"―a salty stock made from my own tears.  Nearly lost his life. Stapled and stitched together, his mobility hampered by injury. Bedrest, the doctors say. No work. An active guy forced to stop and wait for bones and flesh to heal.

What a dismal way to start off the new year.  Life is so not fair.

January 1st, the sun rose as always. My spirits did not. I got up and went about helping my husband to carefully rise and strap on a sturdy back brace. Pain killers are administered every four hours; it hurts otherwise. He paused to thank me for my help, for my aid and assistance throughout the past hard week. This John Wayne of a man thanked me with tears in his eyes. I felt a warm ray of sunlight in my chest at his expression of gratitude, and I too was grateful. I was grateful to hear him say those words to me; he does not say them often.

I was affected by feelings of gratitude amid tragedy. The idea made me contemplate how we have things in this situation to be grateful for:

• Survival.  A rear-end collision at 50-60 mph managed to crumple his truck like an aluminum can, but my husband survived.
• No one was in the truck with him―no child crushed in the back seat.
• His injuries, though painful and timely to heal, are expected to mend.  He was nearly killed, but not.  He was nearly paralyzed, but not.
• A great many friends and family have reached out to support us.  They have stopped by for unexpected visits at the hospital and at home, offered words of encouragement over the phone, posted kind sentiments on Facebook, brought meals to us, offered assistance at any time of the day, held us firmly with hugs, whispered earnest prayers―all of it a heartwarming reminder that friends make every bit of difference in life.
• We have learned that laughter is a better painkiller than any narcotic.
• At the hospital, I crossed paths with many a stranger who proved to me that kindness and compassion are still strong in the world.  I also realized that misfortune is a shared truth; everyone has an emotional, true story to tell.

Ironic that I should learn to greater appreciate my own quote:

"Gratitude is medicine for a heart devastated by tragedy.  If you can only be thankful for the blue sky, then do so." — Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway: Quotes, Verse, & Grumblings for Every Day of the Year

My eyes still sting with tears, and weariness lingers in my bones, but I have decided that a year beginning with an uphill challenge has the potential to reap more rewards than I first thought.  Perhaps 2015 will be a year of improved health, closer friendships, greater wisdom... and a new truck.