I usually log off on Christmas Eve with a bit of a retrospective on the year just gone. Then I pick up social media after the New Year by looking ahead. This year? I was very busy on Christmas Eve – but could I have found the time? Possibly, but I found I didn’t know what to say.

It’s been another year of uncertainty and stress for us all – and that looks likely to continue for some time to come – but what’s the point in stating the painfully obvious? And compared to so very many others, we have nothing much to complain of hereabouts. We are all still healthy, all still in work, and if we still haven’t had a proper holiday since November 2019, that’s because we have chosen not to risk the hassles and unpredictability of trying to go away anywhere, even in the UK. We still miss our aikido training, but that just can’t be helped.

On the plus side, I have had another new book out, and The Green Man’s Challenge has been very enthusiastically received by satisfied readers. That’s encouraging me as I gather ideas for the next one. I’ve also worked on three other interesting projects which have yet to be announced, so I’ll have assorted news to share pretty soon. I went to two conventions in person in the autumn, and did other events online through the year, all of which were great fun and kept me connected with readers, writers, and friends old and new. I’ve also been elected to the Society of Authors Management Committee.

So that’s showing me what to focus on, going forward. I’ll work with the SoA to support writers through these difficult days. I’ll concentrate on my own work, share good things from other authors, and share thoughts on the writing process and business. That will mean making a definite effort to read more for relaxation alongside the reading I do for work. I’ve been sitting down with my Christmas-present books this week, and that’s forcefully reminded me of the benefits of getting out of my own head on a regular basis.

Making time for that will mean cutting back on the doomscrolling and that can only be a good thing. I’ve not reached the point of ditching social media like a good few others I’ve seen, but I’ve felt the benefits of keeping Twitter in particular more at arm’s length over the last month or so.

So here we are. That’s what I have to say for the moment anyway. Let’s hope for a happier and healthier year ahead for us all.