Yes. Yes it has.

Another one is drawing to a close, and 2018 has been without question, the best I have seen for a long time – which feels a little odd to admit, considering the vast majority of the writing I did this year was finished by the time the calendar flipped to March. Granted, that writing was the completion of my novel Slipwater, but I have still to find that agent and/or publisher who is willing to give me a chance – something that this time last year I was absolutely convinced would no longer be a concern.

But, writing aside, my personal life is in a much more profitable place than it was twelve months ago. I have a better job with better hours and prospects, and a lovely home to go back to when I’m finished… none of which would mean anything if I didn’t have anyone to share my newly acquired happiness with, and I think I’ve got that too.

I have found a girl who makes me very happy – much happier than I ever expected to be. She makes me laugh every day, and is there to give me a hug or hold my hand when I need that as well. And with her children, she has also provided me with the family that I was sure I would never be a part of, and for that I too am grateful.

As I move into 2019, I do so with a smile and the knowledge that no matter what life throws at me, it will always be easier to handle with The Girlfriend© by my side.

I understand and appreciate that life can be expensive, especially at this time of year, but when a store is promoting this discount…

… you know things are tough all over.

My friend Steven was over from Canada for a flying visit last weekend. I’ve known him for half of my life, and the last time I saw him was here, over three and a half years ago. We have not kept in touch as often as we probably should have, but that’s more my fault than it is his. Still, it’s good to know that with some friends you can just fall back into your relationship no matter how long it has been dormant.

Over a lovely Italian meal and some adult beverages we caught each other up on where our lives are currently and – as most friends our age do – spent some time reminiscing about the old times as well. If nothing else, what the conversation did show me, was that I am in a much better place emotionally than I was in 2014, and that can only be a good thing.

Unfortunately I have not made the trip to North Bay to visit him in the near decade since he has been overseas, but with the promise of free accommodation should I ever pitch up on his doorstep, the temptation is always there.

Hope you had a safe trip back, buddy.

My personal life is (finally) great, and after a long time in the wilderness, I have a job that I actually enjoy and that doesn’t expect my soul in return for my payslip every month. The only point of this triangle currently amiss is my writing.

This year started off with promise. I finished Slipwater – a novel I am extremely proud of – and it has been sitting with a number of agents since early February, but since that feeling of accomplishment I have not done much to maintain the momentum. A short story here, a revision or two there, but that’s about it.

Well that stops today.

I received another rejection letter this morning. I’ve been getting them for over half my life now. No big deal: that’s just part of the constant struggle for acceptance… and I don’t only mean acceptance of a particular story, but also the wider definition of every writer’s desire to have his or her words heard, and for them to mean something to someone.

But this rejection is one too many, so I need to pull my fingers out of my ass and put them on the keys again.

You know, obviously I’ll wash them first.