Mundie Moms

Sunday, February 28, 2010

A Year of Change: Happy B-day Mundie Moms!

Happy Birthday Mundie Moms! I haven't known any of you for anywhere near a year, but you're all so friendly and welcoming time doesn't seem to matter.

This year we've all seen lots of changes: some horrible (like the recent tragedies in Haiti and Chile) and some beautiful (the ways people pull together in the face of tragedy). From my view, life is all about change (says the chick writing werewolves). Mundie Moms has changed a great deal in even the short time I've been prowling the site. And I definitely like what I see. And today (it being a freshly full moon and all) I figured I'd rattle on about just that.

Change.

And werewolves.

No, I lie. We'll save werewolves for later. ;-) Just had to tease wolf fans. Anyhow...

A debut author, during the past year I landed an agent, a trilogy contract and wrote three and a half books, so I *think* I've learned a bunch about change. And I like to share what I've learned.

First: Change is exciting! I went from writing a short serial of 13 to Life through Textnovel.com to building a much longer novel. It was like slapping flesh on bones. The story grew by leaps and bounds. Subplots were added and characters subtracted.

Then, when I sent my book to my editor, my revisions required some nips and tucks (and a bit of facial reconstruction, thinking about it). I learned that change isn’t always easy and it takes time to adjust. But change is easier when you have help. Instead of doing everything myself, there was suddenly a team of people involved. I had to keep in touch with people and could actually bounce thoughts around with new people.

Heck, I even changed my name (well, my pseudonym) a couple times. It was all very Goldilocks.

Finally: change can be frightening. I’m not necessarily a social creature. Don’t get me wrong—I could *observe* our species for hours in absolute fascination. But I'm still getting used to the mingling and social side of the industry. Still I got involved in groups (like RWA and Class of 2k10) to better my understanding of the industry, improve my writing, and prepare me for my book's launch.

Which brings me to now. Change can be very rewarding. Now, instead of feeling out-of-sorts and behind the learning curve, I'm getting to mentor an author through one of my RWA chapters, I’m seeing my novel launch in June (and you all at Mundie Moms are letting me—me—talk about writing in your forum!).

We’ve all seen changes this year. Have you given thought to how far you’ve come in the space of 365 short days?

From where I started just a year ago to where I am now, I can say with certainty: CHANGE IS GOOD. I expect you all can say the same thing about Mundie Moms’ change and growth, too!

Now, because it’s rude to come to a birthday party without a gift (and I’m *generally* very well-behaved) I’ve got something here to give away to one of you.

What you need to do: Comment about a change you’ve seen or that you’ve made that bettered a situation somehow.

What one of you will get: You’ll get a super-shiny 13 to Life pin, a handy-dandy unlined journal, a postcard and a limited edition glossy mini poster that I’ll gladly sign with the special message of your choice.

So show some love for Mundie Moms and for the good changes we make and see in life and leave a comment!

Here’s to many more years of wonderfully exciting change and growth for Mundie Moms!

~Shannon

Mundane Monday Give Away Winner



Thank you to everyone who entered to win our fun give away. Thank you to Heather @ Fire&Ice photo for the MI necklace and Anastasia Hopcus for the signed bookmark.
Congratulations to our winner- JenHow!!


Be sure you enter our other amazing give aways by Michelle Zink, Saundra Mitchell, Myra McEntire, Sarah Rees Brennan and Shannon Delaney.

You can find those links on our side bar and under the label, Mundie Moms Birthday Bash.

Labels