It's been roughly a year since I started really writing in earnest to complete my first book. Last night I put the finishing touches on the manuscript and did a final word count. 74,260. I'm quite pleased with that. Sure, it's not quite the 80k minimum I was aiming for, but I think if I try to add much more, without some advice from an editor, anyway, it would come across as padding.
I've even started a second novel, but I've been able to find inspiration to start a project unrelated to my first, which I'm hopeful will help test me as a writer.
While last year I was still terrified at the thought of becoming a parent, my wife and I are now looking forward to the arrival of our first child in July. It's still hard to get my head around it, but I'm not as scared as I used to be.
So where are you guys now from this time last year? Have you been working on a manuscript that you're proud of? Frustrated with? Have you moved house? Been published?