The Dance is Over, but Deb Joanne’s Card is Full

Joanne in gloves and TiaraThis week’s theme is endings and if you follow along with us, you’ll know why: it’s the Class of 2012’s last week here at the Deb Ball.*sniff*

Wow. Has it been a year already since I first came out as a Deb? I kind of want to stay here forever and force you shiny new Debs to drag me out of here, kicking and screaming like we did with those who came before us. But in some ways, I’m also ready to move on and let the new class step in and take over. It’s been a busy year and I’m ready for a rest.

I’ve had an amazing time over this season, not just making new friends in my fellow Debs and our wonderful guests (and watching my TBR pile get higher and higher), but also in stretching my writing skills. I’d never blogged regularly before I was a Deb, and the pressure of having to come up with a post weekly (I truly don’t know how people do it daily) that said something hopefully meaningful and insightful was challenging some days, but I did it. Sure, some posts were cathartic and personal and  some were more…shall we say…fluffy, but I enjoyed writing each and every one and now, a year later, I have fifty two essays that I wrote on various topics.

Topics like food and wardrobe malfunctions,  getting the call and my love for Anne Shirley and even my gratitude over this whole getting a book published thing.  And even weird and personal stuff, like fears and my office (which is much messier now).

There was a lot I discussed about writing and publishing, too, like posts on plotting and dialogue, query letters, book marketing* and elevator pitches. And I didn’t just talk about this stuff, but I learned from my fellow Debs, too. Their insightful posts on writing and craft and their experiences in this nutty business were always interesting and insightful and every morning I looked forward their posts and interpretations of the week’s topics.

And I got to celebrate five different book launches with my fellow Debs: Erika, Rachel, Molly and Linda (and my own). How amazing is that? To have a group of smart, funny and amazing women to share this crazy road with? Priceless.

Sigh.

Okay, so maybe I’m not completely prepared and ready to get off this dance floor just yet, but I must; we need to make way for the new ladies with their shiny tiaras and pretty new gowns. But really that’s okay. Because there are other ballrooms we 2012 gals can dance in, and we can always come back and visit. And we’re not really talking about endings here, but a new chapters. And as book people, we know new chapters can hold endless adventures. And I for one, can’t wait to see what’s on the next page.

But before I go, on this, my last official entry, I’d like to thank everyone for coming out and reading my posts—from my Mom, who visited and commented faithfully every week, to the other people not related to me, who still took time to read and comment and even all you lurkers out there who read and hopefully enjoyed your weekly peeks into the craziness that is my head.  Thank you and I’d happily put every single one of you on my dance card.

*speaking of marketing, this is my last opportunity to ask you to buy my book, so please do if you haven’t already-handy links to retailers available on my website. Thank you.

29 Replies to “The Dance is Over, but Deb Joanne’s Card is Full”

  2. Awww. The last Deb Joanne Monday post. *sniffle* It’s been a great run! You’ve been a fabulously fun addition to my Monday mornings, and I’m going to miss that. 🙂

    1. Thanks, Linda. It’s so bittersweet, isn’t it? But I’m sure Kerry will make sure to add her own special bit of awesome to your Monday mornings!

  3. I can’t believe this week is here, I really can’t. Now we know how the beautiful Debs of 2011 felt before us as they tuned the tiaras over to us of 2012. It really is a magnificent ride, beauties of 2013. I can’t wait to see the adventures that await you all. And to my fellow Debs of 2012 (and that includes you dear Deb Mom Marcia and you too, Deb Hubby TG!), this dance may be over, but I’ll still know where to find you all when the rug needs cutting down the line! 😉

    1. It has FLOWN by, hasn’t it? Wow, I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since we were fresh-faced newbs. And now we’re escorting a new class of fresh-faced newbs (Who will be AMAZING).

  4. Don’t go! We can make room! Or you can at least come back and dance with us from time to time. I, the incoming Monday Deb, can see I have a lot to live up to here. Best of luck with the wide wide world!

    1. I will be close, and will definitely come back to dance with you all! It’s going to be so fun watching you all launch.

  5. Yes it is early Monday Morning for Deb Marcia to be here, (what can I say, it is the last week, tears are falling can’t see to write my comments). Okay Bubby M on with your last comment to my wonderful, talented daughter.

    This has been an experience of a lifetime for me to have been here to celebrate this year. I have laughed, I have cried, my heart has swelled, I have read wonderful books by talented authors,I have had the opportunity to meet and feed two top notch writers (yep that’s you Lisa and Eileen, still need more to feed hint hint hint)to make friends and just to be part of all of this I truly feel blessed and I am going to miss being here. (maybe I could be a guest and Joanne can write it for me).

    Erika, thank you so much for including me with all of this fine group of talented Debs of 2012, and you will always know where to find me as I have been made to feel so welcome.

    To all the incoming Debs I wish you good luck and hope you have an amazing year as the 2013 Debs. I look forward to reading your blogs and your books (as Joanne will be my downloader to my Kindle).

    I wish all of the 2012 Debs a very successful future and look forward to all those wonderful published books to come.

    1. Thanks, Mom. You’ve been a faithful reader and cheerleader and have brought your own special gifts to The Ball and I’m sure part of what people will miss about my Monday posts will be reading your comments.
      Thanks to you and Dad (who lurks, but I know reads) for being here with me every week.

  6. Oh Joanne!

    Please don’t go. We’ll eat you up we love you so!

    Also I love your mom.

    Stay close by, ya hear? I need you to have your buckets of water handy when I burn down the blog.
    xx

    1. My mom loves you. That picture of us in her dining room is on her wall (I’m not kidding). Thank you for paving the way, founding Deb Eileen – you are so awesome and I can’t wait to party…er…be on a panel with you in Vegas. 😀

  9. Thanks for a great year of posts, Joanne. I know I only de-lurked recently, but I’ve been enjoying your journey and I REALLY loved SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE. You’re leaving us some lovely, sparkly shoes to fill – and we’ll be hard-pressed to keep up with the standards you and the other 2012 Debs have set for us. Still, the other 2013’s and I will do our best!

    And we hope you’ll still be around! Don’t make us stalk you on Twitter!

  11. Thanks for always getting our week off to a great start Joanne! I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next in the Lilah series (as you know, I’m demanding sequels, whether your publishers like it or not!)

  12. You really do get the award for the best pictures – thanks for always making me smile on Mondays. Here’s to wonderful things in your future!

    1. Thanks, Eleanor! I just hope we can pass along the tiara as wonderfully as you did. You’re going to love the new group, though. 😀

    1. I’m so sorry your summer was awful, but still thanks for stopping by, Missy! It was great having you and I hope you do stick around to hang out with the new crew, who are going to be amazing!

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