Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Goal revisited: One Year Later

Do you remember this post?? I had some goals to read before I turned 30. Here they are:

1. Lose 15-20 pounds. I'd like to start my 30's off on a good note. I dont think I could handle a double whammy.
2. Edit current MS and write another book
3. Find a part time job
4. Take the kids to Disney and pay CASH (why I listed #3!)
5. Crack down on our budget so we can save for retirement. If we actually have retirement money, I might look forward to it a little more!
6. Start an IRA for myself and contribute the maximum amount
7. do something totally wild and crazy (by my standards)
8. Create an author website.
9. Find friends who GET me. No fluff. I want the down and dirty, what you see is what you get kinda friends.
10. Make a long-term plan for my life that I can be excited about.

So, one year later, here is the update.

1. SOMEWHAT DONE: I lost the 15-20 Overall, I lost about 30 pounds. Unfortunately, I'm only 10 pounds less than when I wrote last years post. :o/ But, I guess 10 pounds is 10 pounds, right?
2. DONE: Edited current MS and wrote another book entitled Lucky for Her.
3. DONE: Found a part time job. I'm now a freelance editor and work from home. Money isn't half bad.
4. SOMEWHAT DONE: Took the kids to Disney. Unfortunately, we didn't pay cash. Grrr.
5. BUSTED: Did not crack down on budget.
6. BUSTED: Did not start an IRA, nor did I contribute the maximum amount.
7. BUSTED: Did not do something wild and crazy. Oh well. I might not have lived to see 30 if I had.
8. DONE: I now have an author website: www.stephanietaylorauthor.com
9. DONE: Found a friend who gets me. She's wonderful!
10. DONE: Made a long term plan for my life and career and I'm definitely excited. I'm hoping to have more details soon!

So I completed 7 out of my 10 goals. On top of that, one of my personal goals was to get one book published before I was 30. I'm happy to report that as of yesterday, I signed my THIRD contract for one of my books. Still won't be able to find me on the shelf in Barnes and Noble, but that's another goal for another year. ;o) Overall, I can say I'm happy entering my 30s. I'll need to think about my goals for the following year and do another post soon. In the meantime, pray I make it to Sunday, which is my actual birthday.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

It's been forever...

...I know. I've had so much going on, it's unreal. Since I last posted, Punky turned four, Chicken turned three and Cupcake turned two. Such a crazy amount of love I have for my children! Every day is such a blessing with them.

I'm also happy to announce I've finally been published. My first book, Doubting Thomas, is available under my pen name, Stephanie Taylor now from Eternal Press. You can order it here. It will be available in print on Amazon in a week or so. My second book, Tinsel Town, is due to be released from Lyrical Press on November 11th, 2010. It's a christmas story about an actor and actress who hate each other forced to spend the holidays together. It's one of my favorite books I've ever written!

I'll also be holding a book signing at the Madison Street Festival in Madison, Alabama on October 2nd. If you live nearby, please come by and see me!

I also work for Vintage Reflections Publishing now as an editor. It's a wonderful company and I've made so many friends through the authors I've edited. I feel like I work in an alternate reality most of the time under Stephanie Taylor. I have a fan page on facebook and a twitter account under STaylorAuthor.

Not many people can say they've accomplished all of their dreams before they turned thirty, but I have. It's an amazing accomplishment and while I feel the need to be proud of myself sometimes, it's been a humbling experience. The day my book released, August 7, 2010, Hubby and I came home from celebrating and I looked up to the night sky to say a prayer of thanks. Low and behold, a shooting star streaked across the sky. Nothing like that little reminder to whisper in my ear that I'm still not the one in control. Having three beautiful children and two books coming out wasn't just MY doing. God gave me my children, and he gave me my talents. To Him, I'll be eternally grateful!