2014 was a growth year for me personally and certainly as a writer. I released three books in 2014, which to me is a big freaking deal! Better Than Chance came out in January & Better Than Friends was released in June. Better Than Friends unbelievably went to #1 on Amazon’s LGBT Fiction list and hung around the spot for a respectable stint. It was such a rush knowing people really responded to the characters in the Better Than series. Of course it was a little daunting to begin a new one when The Right Words was released a couple weeks ago, but so far, so good. 🙂 I also attended my first writers’ workshop with Dreamspinner Press and my first ever Gay Rom Lit Con in October. Both were fantastic experiences and because they were personal firsts, they were special. They represent a beginning of sorts. I met authors whose books I’ve read and loved and yeah… it’s kinda like meeting a rockstar for the avid reader! Super cool.
On a personal front, I came out as an MM writer to my teenagers just as their oldest brother came out to them. I think my news surprised them more than that their brother was gay but nonetheless the occasion provided a moment of truth and an opportunity to show support as a family. My husband and I walked in our first Pride Parade with our son in San Francisco this past June. I thought it would be awkward for him, but I miscalculated that as a family we’d all grown and were not only ready to show support for a community we are now part of via our son, but eager as well. I swear I thought my husband was going to wrestle the gigantic rainbow flag so he could carry it for a while. 🙂 I wasn’t sure how our son would feel about our being there. He’s twenty and vacillates between thinking we’re reasonably cool to just… not. But he appreciated it. It was a chance to show support and solidarity as a parent and as a human. I’m a proud mother of a wonderful gay man who deserves the same rights and respect as my other two straight kids. I could go on, but I’ll save it for 2015 because for all the wonderful strides that were made from a marriage equality standpoint in the US in 2014, there is still a long way to go. It gives me hope as a parent but I’m not naive. There are a lot of amazing people in the world, but unfortunately there are also many who harbor outdated ideals and use religion as a shield. It will take time and effort. But I’m encouraged. As a mother, as an author, as a human.
As far as goals for the New Year are concerned… I have a few, but I’m pretty sure 2015 will be another growing year. Every time I sit at my computer to work, I learn a little more about the discipline it takes to be a “real” author. It’s not easy, folks. But nothing worth doing is easy! Hell, having teenagers isn’t easy, but seeing the incredible adults they’re becoming makes me more proud than I can ever say. They make me want to be better than good (pun intended). 🙂 A better parent, a better author, a better human.
Thank you all for your support in 2014! I’ve met some wonderful people online (& in person). Your kind words and encouragement make a difference. Thank you for supporting the MM genre and loving it as much as I do! I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2015.
Happy Reading!
Lane xo
