Like many others, I can’t help but look back on 2016 and look forward on 2017. I think it’s beginning to be a blog tradition for me, anyway.
2016 was a crazy year for me. Crazy fast and crazy amazing. And I can’t wait for what this next one brings!
It started off with a trip to Japan:
…Which I won’t be forgetting any time soon. We arrived just in time for the cherry blossoms (sakura). I guess I didn’t realize how quickly they peak and begin to die: in the beginning of our trip, the sakura in Tokyo were at peak (like above in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden). We then spent a week traveling to Gotemba, Kyoto and Osaka. By the time we came back to Tokyo, the sakura were gone or dropping petals. The timing was amazing!
I was more than a little inspired by Japan, and have begun to learn more of the language, as we are planning a second trip in 2017! The inspiration reached even further, and might be finding some influence over my next book series, which is currently brewing.
Once we returned, I had to buckle down and finish up A Rift Between Cities.

Lots of things (including our trip) stole time from my writing schedule, but I managed to complete it in time! Seeing the trilogy finished was an incredible part of the year.
Turns out I couldn’t say goodbye to Sylvia, however.
In 2017, look for a short story prequel following Sylvia’s adventures before the war.
The new series I’m working on is in the world-building stages, which I have learned is probably my favorite part of writing. I’m tentatively planning a 4 or 5 book series, which I can’t wait to share with you!
In 2017, I’ll also be selling and signing my books in the Artist’s Colony at Connecticon!
Despite a lot of negativity and bad things that happened in 2016, I don’t mind saying that I had a great year. The New Year gives us a chance to turn the page on the old, and start blank: