Last year was the first full year that I spent calling myself a Writer. I am pretty pleased with the things I accomplished in twelve months. Here’s a run-down:

• Replaced over half of my take-home pay from my previous job;
• Developed relationships with several local and regional publications and companies;
• Worked with several awesome clients who found me through referrals;
• Spoke at a conference about being a freelance writer;
• Increased my blog traffic b7 150% on one blog, and 100% on another.

Don’t let those big percentages fool you – when you start small, you can make some big leaps pretty fast when you just start posting more often. But I do feel poised to grow even more in 2015, and am looking forward to tracking my progress now that I have a swanky new blog planner from Yellow Bliss Road (it’s less than $10.00!!) and a Day Designer from Whitney English. My word for this year is FOCUS, so I am all about investing in some tools to help me do that… the Google calendar app just isn’t enough for my brand of crazy.

I have seen a number of bloggers post a round up to highlight some of their most popular posts from the previous year, but I am most proud of some of the magazine articles and content I created for other blogs, so I thought I would share a few of those here instead. Jump over a read a few, and share on your social media channels if you are so inclined.

Van Hollow Pottery – VisitRogersArkansas.com
One of my favorite topics to write about (and one I hope to cover more often this year) is people who are making and creating and producing beautiful things and tasty things and unique things. Van Hollow Pottery was a lovely place to visit, and Jim and Sarah Young were delightful hosts.

Kyle Kellams Feature – Do South Magazine
Kyle is a fascinating guy (and he’d be completely baffled by my saying that), and I was fortunate to be able to visit with him on the eve of the 25th anniversary of his career with our local public radio station. He is one of those people who is doing exactly what he was made to do, and loving every minute of it. And we, as listeners, are fortunate to be able to go along for the ride.

Annual Buffalo River Elk Festival – OnlyinArkansas.com
Many people have no idea there is a healthy population of elk in fields and forests surrounding the Buffalo River. A lot more than that have no idea there is an annual festival celebrating them. The elk calling contest is, on its own, worth attending for, but the Dutch oven cookoff and pie auction make it a must-visit.

NWA Roller Derby – Northwest Arkansas Connection
For just over six months or so in late 2013 and early 2014, I wrote for a monthly news publication that was delivered in the mail to households across NW Arkansas. I really enjoyed the challenge of writing with a specific word count restriction – something that has helped me refine my often rambling blog post writing style. (as if I have a “style” – haha!) Unfortunately, the publication folded, but this was one of my favorite stories.

Dripping Springs Gardens – Do South Magazine
In another life, I think I would want to live and work on a farm digging in the dirt and charting the successes and failures of my crops… waking early, working hard, and climbing into bed at the end of the day knowing that I am producing something valuable and vital for my community. Maybe that’s why I loved my visit to Dripping Springs so much. Or it may have been the swimming hole…

Here’s to 2015, and the opportunity to create even more words to celebrate the people and places that are so special in this little corner of Arkansas!