a salute to 2012: it’s been a good year
As this year comes to a close, I’d like to thank each and every one of you who have visited this blog and contributed to the conversations over the past 3+ years. The posts you have found here have come from my heart, my head, and my experiences. They have also come from selected insightful individuals who have offered guest posts on a myriad of topics — primarily related to the writing and publishing industry as this blog focuses on the challenges and triumphs in the life of a professional writer.
It is interesting to learn that the most popular post on this blog was the post in which we shared books that have impacted our lives. I cited the “Princess and the Goblin,” published by J.B. Lippincott Company in 1913, written by George Macdonald and simplified by Elizabeth Lewis as the book that most impacted by life as it was the book that my father read to me as a child. Many of you shared fascinating books that have impacted your lives.
the “Princess and the Goblin” is probably the book that most impacted my life.
The second most popular post in the life of this blog was a recent post about a blogging conference I attended in Winnipeg. It was great learning from successful bloggers and being able to share the tips with you here. Thanks to those of you who added tips of your own. And the third most popular post we’ve had has been on the subject of friendship. I’ve posted about friendship a dozen times on the blog as it is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. I’m glad it resonates with you as well, as slowly we have built a community here and I like to think that we are all becoming friends (if we aren’t already.)
Overall, I’d classify 2012 as a very good year. My husband’s health has been stable, the weather in our neck of the woods has been good (until winter hit, but that’s another story!) and I’ve continued the research for my chocolate travel book and have met many of you in the process.
Here’s hoping that 2013 will bring many good things and many more friendships to us all.
How has 2012 been for you? Has it been a year that you would like to remember … or forget?
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Freelancing is a tough business. I suggest you join a local writers’ association, and take some courses to see what opportunities are available in your area.
Thanks a lot for your blog and I would like to say that for me 2012 was bittersweet. I really hope that 2013 for you turns out to be as well as 2012 turned out and for me I hope this year turns out to be better than 2012.
Hey Just like yours, 2012 as a Good year for me too. Thank you for sharing this awesome article with us.
A new member reading your blog i will Continue.The new year start good so far.
Best wishes for the new year Doreen. You’re awesome!
I might be a tad bit late but, what the heck. Happy New Year Doreen!
It’s never too late to join the discussion. Stay tuned! A new post will be uploaded today.
I love the Princess and the Goblin too. My best friend lent me the book and eventually gave me the same copy to keep because I loved it so much. By the by, the book that has been most influential in my life is the Catcher in the Rye. It changed my perspective in life and how I see people.
I haven’t read “Catcher in the Rye” but it’s a great choice. You should add it to the discussion at https://chocolatour.net/book-of-a-lifetime/ and tell us what it is about the book that touched you so deeply. Thanks!
hey I jus pass through your blog, found very interesting, I would love to read about Princes and Goblin, anyhow thank you so much and best of luck.. btw belated Happy New year 🙂
Happy new year to you Doreen. I love your site, I’m sure to stay for this year too. Thanks for sharing what you can with us.
Thx so much, Emilia. Glad you’re enjoying the blog. Happy NY to you as well.
Happy New Year Doreen, it’s nice to know you had a great 2012. You’re definitely going have a ball this year.
Thx, Kristine. I know you’ve been reading my chocolate travel blog as well, so I hope you’re right that 2013 will be a great year. I’m certainly working hard to make it so!
It’s been a good year indeed and I’m definitely looking forward to a better year this 2013.
Salute indeed! Let’s make 2013 the best year the next year better than that. Happy new year to you!
2012 has definitely been a good year despite all the tradgedies that have happened. Let’s just hope for a happier 2013
I’ve read the Princess and the Goblin too! It was definitely a good read, it’s good to know that someone else likes it too. Happy new year dear!
Thanks, Joy. Nice to have you joining us. Happy New Year to you as well.
Doreen — thanks for the many interesting posts over the past year. I’m not surprised that a post about books that impacted our lives topped the list. Maybe we’re a self-selected group who follow you — we’re book lovers and I say thank heaven! Social media is great but it will never replace curling up with a good book and being unable to put it down. More than once I’ve finished a book as the sun started to peek in in my window.
Thanks so much for your comment, Jeannette, and for being a follower of this blog.
Thank goodness for book lovers like you! We authors would be nowhere without you.
I hope 2013 is good to you and I look forward to hearing your views on future posts. Cheers!
There are so many reasons to look forward to 2013! As an eternal optimist, a new year presents new beginnings as well as the opportunity to continue past successes. Let’s hope there are as many reasons to celebrate this year as there were last year! All the best to you – lots of chocolate and lots of travel, an unbeatable combo : ))
Thanks for your comment, Krystyna. Always great to hear from you.
Somehow, this eternal optimist is not feeling the glow today, but hopefully, that will soon pass. Winter is a tough one for me.
All the best to you for 2013.
Hi Doreen.
Your post has made me feel thankful for 2012. And i’m smiling over all the good moments i had last year, i could even feel the cool breeze i had felt on my face in Jan 2012, The host by Stephanie Meyer – i had fallen in love with this book again and again.
I wish in the end of 2013 we’ll salute it again.
Thanks for your comment, Jenna. I’m glad my post inspired you. And that you had a great 2012.
I hope you’ll join us here again. It’s a nice place to be!
2012 brought big changes in my life. We spent our first year with my girlfriend. I planned out my next venture and acted on it. I also resigned from job that lasted for more than 2 years. I’m hoping for great opportunities in 2013.
Interesting that 2012 was a year of transition for you, Connor. Keep us posted as to how you’re doing and good luck with your new venture.
I always love this time of year as a time for deepest reflection and refocus. 2012 brought tremendous challenge and growth with many new opportunities for practicing faith and healing towards improved health and relationships.
I continue to transform myself and protect myself while confronting imposed obstacles and those who are ill-willed. I am also becoming better at releasing my own self-imposed obstacles. Today I feel stronger than ever as a woman, as a mother, as an entrepreneur and as a teacher. I’m making space for improved health this year, so that I can continue to collaborate and create prosperity and partnerships that motivate and drive my brightest vision.
To those who revealed themselves as part of my challenges or as one of my awesome supporters, I truly thank you and I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year in 2013.
Thanks for your comment, Dawn.
Yes, life can indeed present unwelcome challenges that take us off track for awhile. Wishing you continued success in 2013.
Glad to hear you had a good year, Doreen! The bloggers conference sounded wonderful – something I would love to do.
Personally, 2012 was difficult, as my father became much more fragile, then he got sick and died. My family, however, has been quite supportive. My husband and kids are marvelous, as are many of my cousins.
Business-wise, it was a good year – I continued with my regular clients and added some new, exciting ones.
Hi Leora and thanks for your comment.
Yes, the holidays just aren’t the same without those we love. I lost my Dad (quite a few years ago) right before Christmas and it was difficult for our family at Christmas-time for a few years after that. Glad you have a good supportive net around you. You can all hold one another up.
All the best in 2013!
This is a great concept for a post and , like Jeri i thought it was very interesting that your most popular was about books that impacted our lives. Actually I received the Princess and the Goblin as a Class Prize when I was in junior school & I still have it! It’s one of the first ‘real’ books I remember reading.
2012 has been a mixed year for me as my partner had thyroid cancer. But she got through 2 surgeries and thankfully didn’t need any radiation therapy.
But I will also have strong memories of this year being my first year of blogging and making good online friends like yourself Doreen. For that I am also very thankful .
I’m feeling very positive about the upcoming year. Who knows -maybe next year I might have a novel published. Happy New Year!
Thanks for your comment, A.K. Yes, it’s been wonderful forging online friendships. and what I’ve found to be tremendous, is turing some of those online friendships into real in-person friendships. I’ve met with at least 2 people whom I’ve encountered online — one a fellow chocolate lover and blogger. The other, an author who is working on a book similar to mine, but covering champagne houses. Both gals have become good friends of mine.
Glad to hear your partner is doing better. Here’s hoping 2013 will bring her better health.
Good luck with your writing. It’s been great helping one another stay on-track with our goals. All the best in 2013!
I find that coming to the end of this year, it has been an odd year for me. I am moving forward in new and different ways and it may just end up being something I have wanted for a very long time.
I look forward to what 2013 will bring.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
Hi Jon and thanks for your comment.
Yes, sometimes we go thru a transitional year in which major changes or happenings transform our reality or vision. Good luck in making it work for you and all the best in 2013.
I’m fascinated that your top post was books that have impacted a person’s life. I’ve been thinking of using that very topic for guest posts to my blog in the coming year. Looking forward to your posts in the new year!
Thanks for your comment, Jeri, and for your support throughout the year.
Yes, it’s really cool to look back through our top posts and see which ones most engaged our readers. The posts on favourite books was by far my most popular, netting nearly 100 comments!
Wishing you all the best in 2013.
What a lovely and thoughtful post. I enjoyed hearing about your most popular posts. It really is interesting what people seek out. For me, 2012 has been a year of decision and discovery. More on that in an upcoming post…:). I have also gained new friends, such as you, in the process. All in all 2012 has been more then I had expected with some surprises thrown in here and there. Happy New Year my friend. You are greatly appreciated. :)))
Thanks so much, Susan, for your friendship and for being a great blogging compadre. It’s been fun supporting one another.
I still have to read your book! I hope it’s been getting some good reviews. All the best for 2013. 🙂
It has indeed been a good year. The best part for me has been meeting all the wonderful bloggers, like yourself. 🙂 Here’s to 2013 being even better!
Thanks, Cheryl! I’ve loved getting to know you, and having you visit the blog. The BHB group has been such a wonderful resource. Happy New Year to you!
I liked 2012. I liked all those nice even numbers, particularly my birthday falling on 12/24/12. 2013 has that ominous number in it…luckily, I’m not superstitious. Funny that we went through all that end of the world hoopla in a nice even, safe year rather than during the “bewitched” year of 2013. 😉
Blessings to you and yours.
Hi Linda. We share yet another thing: the love of even numbers! I, too, love even numbers. And wow … having a birthday on Christmas Eve with those magic numbers! I hope it was a good one for you!
I don’t have a problem with the number 13. Am looking forward to 2013 with great anticipation as hopefully … Chocolatour will be released in April/May. So looking forward to that day!
Happy New Year to you and thanks for being a great part of this community. 🙂
I am thankful that my father (84) has found a place to live that he likes and is closer to me – geographically – so I can be there if/when he needs me. We are lucky to live in Canada, which is probably one of the safest countries in the world. I am blessed with family and good friends, especially those who I’ve found through my connections with other writers like you, Doreen. I am equally blessed to be doing what I love most – writing and learning every single day.
May 2013 bring everyone peace, happiness and prosperity.
Thanks so much for your comment, Suzanne, for sharing many times as a commenter on this blog (as well as the chocolate blog), for being a great travel companion, and a wonderful friend. I look forward to sharing more of life’s experiences with you in 2013.
hi, Best wishes for the new year Doreen. You’re awesome!
Thanks so much, Suzanne, for referring to me as a “blogger extraordinaire!” This blog wouldn’t exist without the community we have formed here and that includes you as being one of my favourite readers and commenters. Wishing you all the best in 2013, and growing interest in your own blog.