Spending the last several weeks on social media would have you believe 2016 was one giant dumpster fire. Big parts of it were, sure. There’s a lot of justifiable fear and worry churning in many of us as we lumber into 2017. This week’s celebrity deaths are just the capstone. I’m crushed by the loss of Carrie Fisher, who I respected immensely for her honesty, her mental health advocacy, and generally being a badass who gave no fucks what you or the patriarchy thought of her.
However, 2016 wasn’t all bad. Really.
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Albus Dumbledore (J.K. Rowling)
We’re going to get Dumbledore up in here, and look for the good so that we can try to move forward. Here are three things that didn’t suck in 2016:
1. For me it was the year I sold my first book, Borrowed Souls, which I desperately hope you’ll pre-order because I seriously can’t wait for you to read it in 2017. We need to talk about the Soul Charmer and Callie and Derek and soul magic and why’d he punch that guy and mobsters and consequences and magic.
This was one of those dream-maker moments, and I won’t let the crappy shift at the end of 2016 steal it from me.
2. I also went to Italy with my husband. Italy, y’all. They had freshly made gluten-free pasta everywhere and the wine. THE WINE. It was picturesque and had fascinating history and captivating architecture and my Italian is still lacking, but I can request to train tickets like a mofo.
Cheers from a wine tasting in Lucca, Italy
3. There were book conventions like NOLA StoryCon (pics below!) and RT Booklover’s Convention where I was able to gush about all my favorite reads without getting the side-eye. I got to hug my Internet friends IRL, and meet my favorite authors. I’ll be back at both those events in 2017 as an author, and at Coastal Magic in February. Get tickets: Coastal Magic, RT Convention, NOLA StoryCon.
Sometimes it helps to focus on the little bits of good, especially as we all hope for potential good in 2017. Hope can be found in even the darkest of places…
Tell me one good thing that happened to you in 2016. Everyone who comments will be entered to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card to start 2017 off with stellar fiction (or, IDK, batteries, it’s your gift card).
Details: To enter the contest, leave your comment on this post before 11:59 p.m. CST Dec. 31, 2016. (Yes, you have until the end of 2016.) If you’re reading this post on Amazon or Goodreads, please click over to Chelsea’s official blog to comment! One winner will be selected randomly to win, and will be contacted at the email address provided with the comment.
People get murdered in my books. They also make out. Not necessarily in that order. Up next: PROM HOUSE (May 2021, Underlined) She/her. Rep’d by Naomi Davis at Bookends Literary. 
2016 I adopted Minerva after 8 months of fostering (I think she knew she was home). I also bought my home that I have been renting for 10 years. I also really got a direction and clarity in what I want in life 🙂
Yep some really bad stuff happened and 2017 to whatever is scary but I am going to look for the light. I am also gonna fight. So I figure it is going to be what I make it 🙂
That’s exactly my philosophy. We fight, and soldier on.
You had a stellar personal 2016. Your home became completely yours, and it became the forever home for Minerva. Just perfect!
I launched my editing business, and am an official LLC and business owner. I also paid off my credit card debt!
Laura = Badass. Serious congratulations on both counts.
I got a puppy. Met new wonderful people who have turned into fabulous friends. Embarking on many adventures that are tethered to dreams that I’m following as fearlessly as possible.
Puppies are the best. Following dreams? Fabulous friends? Even better.
Can’t wait to see what 2017 brings you!
War Machine Marketing got a huge write up on http://www.forbes.com
Hell yes! You’re doing such cool things at War Machine—someday I’m getting a custom action figure, it will happen—and it’s rad to see places like Forbes recognizing it!
I finally talked to a professional about social anxiety and am in the process of overcoming it once and for all! Life is so much better when I am not constantly worrying!! Lots of bad stuff has happened this year in general but that is the best thing I did all year, and changed my life too of course… 🙂 Also just preordered your book! Can’t wait to read it.
That is HUGE! Congratulations.
I was offered a full time position at my part time job and I almost graduated. (LOL) I finally got to met Kresley Cole and Kevin Hearne! And I got to see you again (NOLA Story Con).
You’re almost there with the graduation. 🙂 And yay for full-time gig.
(Always love seeing you!)
My two awesome things that happened in 2016 are
–UK trip (with the Harry Potter studio tour!)
–Seeing “Shuffle Along” on Broadway
I’m still cycling through rage-fear-despair when thinking about 2017 and beyond, but I’m ready to stand tall and fight.
HP studio tour?! Jealous!
One good thing! It is so hard to pick just one, so I will not try!
First, for me, of foremost importance is that I am still employed and able to support my family in a job that I enjoy doing.
Second, I have many new (to me) good books. OK, many of them are waiting to be read, but I am saving them for future need of escapism, because we all need to take time, back away from social media, online, even RL friends, and just curl up on our beds or in chairs and read with whatever book or device works for us.
Three: Two kitties! Need I say more? The kitties are ones I share with my husband and daughter, but they are there with purrs and meows and headbutts and insistent demands to be petted (when I don’t want to is when I generally need to, I find!).
Four is all of the online friends I’ve made, or at least the people I follow, even if I do not know them well, because their Twitters usually have some pearls of wisdom, or they are humorous, or they express some feeling I may have and don’t feel adequately able to express.
Anyway, those are just some of the bright spots/important things that have happened during this year.
All good things, Jane! …and those kitties sound adorable.
This year I got engaged and took a trip to the uk
That’s fantastic. Congratulations!
2016 hasn’t been all bad. I got to meet you in person after all! 🙂 I will say the highlight of my year was getting to see Hamilton in Chicago. I love the music but seeing the musical made it 100% better!
Hanging out with you at WorldCon was THE BEST.
Also: Jealous about Hamilton.
After 40 years of planning, we finally escaped the frozen tundra of WIsconsin and moved to the seventh level of Hell (Florida in July), but as God as my witness…I will never be cold again.
YAY Florida. Beaches, sunshine, Disney, Harry Potter and NO SNOW. Solid decision.
In September 2016 at 39 years of age i made the decision to go to college I got accepted and have now returned to education to create a better life for myself and my family and I am loving it. It took me a long time to build up the courage to do this and Ive never felt so empowered. ❤
That’s fantastic, Niamh!
I applied for, was offered, and accepted a teaching position in bush Alaska. It has been an adventure and a much needed change for me!
How cool! Alaska is gorgeous. Where did you move from? Did you have experience with cold weather before the big move?
Meeting Nick carter again,watching Yuri on Ice and reading more books than last year
I finally went to Wizarding World in Orlando. My best friend came with me, and we had such an amazing time.
I haven’t been to the Wizarding World since they opened Diagon Alley, but Hogsmeade was AMAZING.
I met some amazing people
we fostered our lovely pup and ending up adopting him!
Congrats!
I became an aunt! <3
Congratulations!
I am walking without crutches now, after getting hit by a car earlier this year, whooo.
Today I closed on my brand new house!