New Year = Change...in a Good Way

Happy 2009! Like the other girls,I'm not one to make resolutions. When my husband and I were first married I used to make him write down five things he wanted to accomplish in the new year. I would then take both of our lists and tuck them away until the end of the year. On New Year's Day I would take out our lists and read them, anxious to see if we accomplished what we had hoped we would.It was a fun exercise, but we seldom succeeded at any of the goals we had set. So over the years I have abandoned that ritual and instead adopted the practice of "wait and see." I have no idea what this year will be like for me, so I'll just wait and see what happens.
Already this year has gotten off to an interesting start. Two weeks prior to Christmas I got a weird email from my editor requesting a time for him to call me.I knew in my gut that something wasn't right. It was one of those moments where your intuition tells you to prepare for the worst, despite your heart telling you to be hopeful. Well my intuition was right. My middle grade novel was in limbo. Due to the financial hit the publishing industry has taken as of late, my publishing house has had to cut their publishing lists in half. As a result my book has been put on the back burner until 2010.
I was suddenly faced with two options: Hold out and wait until 2010 for the book to possibly be published if the economy improves, or take the book back and shop it around. I discussed it with my agent and we decided to take the book back. If it doesn't get published, then that is a chance I'm willing to take. I was actually surprised at how well I handled it. I must be getting used to disappointment.
On the up side I have a new project I'm in the middle of. In addition to my book writing, I'm also a freelance journalist. I recently pitched an idea to my editor at the Toronto Sun newspaper (Sun Media) and she accepted the pitch. Starting on Monday I will be living the rest of the year like a 1950's housewife, right down to the hair, clothes and makeup (and everything in between). I will be writing about it in a monthly column and blog for Sun Media (the first one ran on Dec. 28th, you can check out the link here)
I have been madly researching everything to do with the Fifties and buying circle skirts and wiggle dresses online. That has helped to keep my mind of my book situation. I'll keep you all posted about any developments that popped up and I hope you'll check out my article whenever you get the chance. In the meantime, I look forward to reading each of my "novel girls" debut books. Seeing their books come out and witnessing their joy in the whole experience, helps to reaffirm why I stick this.