Happy New Year! It’s been a busy month. From radio shows and appearances to snowshoeing in Yellowstone National Park, I’ve been winding up, or down depending on the day, to close myself off from the world for the next three months and finish “The Penny.” Only a few more pages from the last journal need to be typed and a final trip to D.C. should close the book on the draft. I would like to thank the National Writers Series in Traverse City, Michigan for including me in their first annual Author Expo. Everything else they do is always successful, so it was no surprise to be a part of this event and have crowds flowing throughout the day. For me personally, it was heartwarming and confirming to hear the other writers talk of their lives, their weaknesses and exude their strengths. When you live in a world of what-ifs and a world of “I hope they like what I do” while you’re attempting to craft the next great novel, life can seem a tad bit experimental. But in this New Year, I will become the writer I wish to be, and I have all of you to thank for that. I live in the greatest community and am surrounded by the greatest supportive fans anyone could ask for. The new bottle of scotch is ready (thanks to Chandler at Chandler’s A Restaurant), the laptop is charged, and snow has gifted me a winter blanket of warmth allowing me to cocoon with thoughts. Happy New Year to all.