New Year; New Opportunities

It’s amazing to look back over the past year and see all that transpired in the time the earth made its journey around the sun. Discovering that I could start and finish a full book in five months was a great confidence booster for me as a writer. Last January I was just starting Michigan & Rookie: Guardians of the Night, and now I have the reward of receiving reader comments, payoff for those long hours at the computer:

“I just finished this most exceptional book. Each and every page captured the heart, soul, and purpose of an amazing police officer and his K9 partner.” Christine S.

“This is the best book I’ve read in a long time…a true story about a courageous man and his K9 partner serving our community and nation.” Roxanne A.

“What a fabulous story for any American to read!” Amanda E.

As I look ahead to 2012 I can only wonder what this year has in store.

ü Possible opportunities to collaborate with Paul LaRoche and continue the Hidden Heritage journey

ü New writing projects

ü Finding agent representation for Seeds of Salton

ü New speaking opportunities

ü More marketing and promotional events with Joaquin Guerrero for Michigan & Rookie

ü Expand my new photography line called Sundance Imagery

Here’s a cool thing that happened the last week of December when I ran an errand with my son to the local Office Max. Upon seeing they were running a one-day special on color enlargements, I hurried home and grabbed my jump-drive. I asked the young gal working in the copy center to make 11x14s of each photo.

As the pictures began printing, the gal said, “Wow, these are really amazing.”

Being a fledgling photographer I was touched by her compliment and said, “Thank you.”

“Do you teach?” she asked, still studying the photos.

I thought, what—am I dressed like a teacher or something? Not knowing what she meant, I said, “Huh?”

“Do you teach photography?”

OH… that’s what she meant!!!

 I told her I’d never even taken a photography class, let alone taught one, and said, “You just made my day!” Turns out she had a Graphic Arts/Photography degree, so that made her comments all the more meaningful. I hope to bring my Sundance Imagery collection to a couple art shows this year and see what kind of interest they generate.

Many of my writer friends have good things happening in 2012 as well:

• Author Julie Saffrin’s new book, BlessBack: Thank Those Who Shaped Your Life is in the galley stage and will be released in March. This is a delightful and possible life-changing book on the impact one can make by reflecting back and thanking someone who influenced their life along the way. www.BlessBack.com

• Author/Speaker Joy DeKok released her new book on Amazon, today as a matter of fact! Your Life a Legacy: Explore and Record the Times of Your Life is full of ideas and information for people who want to turn their lives into written legacies.  www.JoyDeKok.com

• Author/Editor Susanne Lakin is a virtual writing machine these days. She released four books in 2011, and has plans for two more in 2012—so far! Fans of her Gates of Heaven fantasy series can look forward to books #4 The Unraveling of Wentwater and #5 The Crystal Scepter in 2012. You can find all her books at www.cslakin.com  Susanne also has a new blog for writers: www.LiveWriteThrive.com with insight, inspiration and practical advice for writers.

• I’ve also been asked to speak at a wonderful women’s conference coming to Minneapolis, September 21-22, 2012. The Refine Conference—Come as You Are invites women seeking to REFINE their lives emotionally, spiritually, financially, professionally, in health and wellness and in relationships to attend. I’ll be speaking on blended families in one of the breakout “relationship” sessions. Married 22 years to my hubby, along with six kids in the “yours, mine, and ours” categories, it’s my heart’s desire for people to know blended families can and do work.  www.TheRefineConference.com

Looking forward to all the opportunities this year will bring!

Barbara