Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve! I’m excited because tomorrow is the day I *might* finish the first draft of my novel (maybe), or I might come *very* close, and I still feel good about where I’m at, even if I’m a little behind schedule. And, even better, since we abstained from celebrating Christmas this year, I am giving E some New Year’s presents tomorrow, and I love giving people I love presents! I’m looking forward to 2010, the start of a whole new decade, and I’m hoping for another ten years together with E (at least!).

Tomorrow is the end of the year, one of the biggest years of my life. In 2009, I stopped ghostwriting for good in order to focus on my own fiction, my first novel came out, I got an incredible agent, I got a new book deal at a dream publisher, I did my first book signing (and my second), I connected with some incredibly inspiring writers, my novel got reviewed and I didn’t die from it, I put my writing first and made a big career leap, I got into what I’ve heard is one of the best artist colonies in the country, I lost 10 pounds (though I think I’ve just gained it back), and I fell more in love with my other half, which I didn’t even know was possible. There was bad, too, but I’m not dwelling. I’m grateful for every single thing that was given to me in 2009, and be assured I will be working hard to make the most of every opportunity.

As for 2010, I do have quite a few resolutions. One of which I publicly said on Verla’s, which is: to go into a bookstore unannounced and offer to sign stock, something I tried to do more than a few times and then lost courage and walked out without introducing myself—even though I’d promised some important people I’d do it. I tried, honestly. I don’t know why it scares me so much.

So… precisely because it scares me so much, I am going to make myself do it in 2010. I want 2010 to be the year I challenge myself and force myself out of my comfort zone, in the hopes of becoming a stronger writer and author and person because of it. (If you work at a New York City bookstore and want me to come face my fear there, e-mail me: nova [at] novaren.com!)

Signing stock in a bookstore is just one resolution of many. I’ll keep the others to myself. Happy New Year, everyone!