Whenever I use phrases such as “this year” or “last year,” I tend to confuse at least a few people. For most a new year begins in January, but for me it begins in September. It’s a leftover result from over a dozen years as a teacher and before that, over a dozen years as a student. While I’m no longer in the classroom, I do have school age children, so I fear I will never leave behind operating in school years rather than calendar years.

My boys went back to school this morning and I started my third year as a full-time writer. The past two years have been exciting, discouraging, enlightening, humbling, invigorating…this is a business with extreme highs and even lower lows.

Last year at this time, I had a plan complete with color-coded spreadsheets and a goal of releasing six books in 2017. My sixth book of 2017 and the tenth in my career (Trust in Me) is set to release in October. Woohoo! In fact, I might even manage to release a seventh book in 2017—the fourth and final book in my Legacy Series. That would make eleven books in two and half years. Not too shabby.

This year, aside from finishing the aforementioned Redemption, I have nothing on my schedule. No calendar, no color-coded spreadsheets, no goals…nothing, nada, zilch, zero.

It’s simultaneously terrifying and freeing.

Since I’ve been a published author (two and half years now), I’ve learned the true meaning of the quip “best laid plans” and the value of being able to roll with the punches. I can’t begin to tell you how hard this has been for me—uncertainty is my worst nightmare.

Yet as I begin this year, I find myself waiting for the punches so I can roll with them. Let’s just hope I can give as good as I get.