I can’t believe the year is nearly over! 2017 has been a year where I’ve had a lot of amazing opportunities to refocus, plan. I spent much of the second half of 2017 waiting on big news about a few different projects, one didn’t work out, and one did – and I think the universe works in mysterious ways because as I sit here on new years eve I’m so relieved to not be working on the project that didn’t come together, and I learned an important lesson about how I divide my time, and that at this point I only want to devote myself to projects that I’m passionately in love with. I know this sounds obvious, but it’s been a new lesson for me. The project that did come together? Ohhh I can’t wait to tell you about it — 2018 is going to be GAYMAZING!
In December I did a lot of writing about everything from barking dogs, why dogs have tails, and experimental cancer treatments for dogs on Dogster.com I also wrote about how to keep your puppy safe during Christmas for PawCulture. I also had the opportunity to write a new article for INTO Magazine (are you reading them? They are doing awesome things for LGBTQ publishing) “On “Coco,” “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” and Chosen Family At The Holidays” + a gay pet holiday gift guide for Curve!
My puppy Sirius turned 1 year old! I can’t believe this little baby bear is so big! 2017 has definitely been a year for continuing to explore new dog sports. This year Charlotte earned her Advanced Trick Dog Title, and her L1 Parkour Title, and Sirius earned her Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced Trick dog titles with DMWYD and Advanced Trick title with the AKC, as well as her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) which is a beginning obedience title, that has been a goal of mine to earn with a dog since I was a teenager. We’ve also been training in babay-safe Agility, and in Rally Obedience!
In 2017 I wrote a lot on big projects and articles, and experimental things (much of which I documented in my ‘weekly writing updates’ on social media). I read 65 books (which I reviewed on goodreads), and made a lot of really exciting plans for the kind of literary work I want to be doing moving forward. In 2017 I connected with amazing readers all over the world, I got the chance to meet with students from Georgetown on an alternative spring break to NYC exploring issues of LGBTQ youth homelessness, share Lost Boi with students at Utica College, speak on a panel at AWP’s annual conference in DC, and delivered the Keynote at the EDGY conference in Los Angeles this fall. Want to hear why I say you shouldn’t trust anyone over 30? Even me? Check out the full keynote here:
It’s hard to believe that 2018 is almost here – I’m going to start the year with going back to school for the first time in a decade. I start my MFA program the first week of January with a 10 day residency. I’m excited and terrified, and I’m sure I’ll be posting all about my journey on facebook/twitter! friend me to follow along!
17 of my Favorite things/ things i’m most proud of from 2017
1. baby Sirius joining our family
2. a Little Queermas Carol being a LAMMY finalist (even though i lost)
3. applying to Grad school and getting accepted!!
4. earning 6 titles with Charlotte & Sirius in a few different dog sports
17. a really big exciting thing coming together for 2018 that I can’t talk about yet
+ an extra thing from 2017 – getting my ‘my little pony’ tattoo!