As 2011 comes to an end I find myself reminiscing about the events that have made this year so interesting and memorable. This has been the first year that I’ve truly felt as if I’m an adult, facing all the challenges and roadblocks head-on. Since the beginning of the year, I have done some pretty extraordinary things and I think that this upcoming year will be even better.
2011 has been the first year in about 20 that I have not been in school. Not being in enrolled in school is sort of a bitter sweet feeling as I can do things on my accord and concentrate on other projects, but there is still a part of me that yearns to return to school. I don’t necessarily know if it’s because school is somewhat of a safety net for me, because it’s what everyone else wants me to do, or simply because I like the thrill of receiving an education. After this year’s hiatus I do believe that 2012 will find me inside the classroom once again as either way there is still a lot I can learn to help polish my craft.
As far as my craft goes 2011 will always be marked as the year I became a published author. On February 2 I published my first book Coming To Terms under my professional name Anton Maurice. The entire experience has been an eye-opener and I can’t say anything bad about the experience, but I will say that a lot of work and determination goes into everything you do. My advice to all writers who are thinking about self-publishing is to just do it! It’s the best way to get good and honest feedback about your work. Also get used to criticism, good and bad, it only helps you in the end.
I’m still not through with my first book as I’m always hustling to try and gain a publishing contract but until that happens I’m working on a second book that I hope to evolve into a series of books along with a potential television script. Hopefully, all my projects will come together in the New Year.
Though it may sound like it, 2011 wasn’t all just work I did find time to relax and enjoy myself with two major trips: One to Miami for Sizzle and the second to Cancun, Mexico. Sizzle was quite an experience, I wouldn’t call it a pride event, but it was definitely an eye opener seeing all the different variations of black gay men from across the world. I made a lot of new friends and also got a glimpse at what being caught up in “the lifestyle” can do to a person. Maybe next year I will return, but after eight-plus hours inside a car, I know that next time I’ll be flying.
Cancun was a totally different type of trip as it wasn’t gay orientated like the trip to Miami. Regardless this was the better trip of the two as I got to experience an entirely different culture. Once my friends and I landed in Mexico I must say I experienced culture shock from the realization that for the first time being an American meant to be a minority. It wasn’t about race, as I felt as if race really didn’t matter, everyone was equal to one another.
The New Year is quickly approaching and I’m anxious to see what the year will hold. My aspirations for the New Year are simple as I just want to continue to grow as a person and prosper with my profession. I started two new projects one which is my blog, which you are currently reading, and the other is a group of writers on Facebook. The group consists of bloggers, poets, musicians, published authors and everything else in between. We’ve gotten a lot of projects done and hopefully the New Year will bring new members and more creativity. My blog will continue to be an outlet for my thoughts and creativity. It’s a mixture of different things like myself and I like to think that I will provide writing for everyone to read.
Well not trying to ramble just felt that this would be a good opportunity to look back at my personal accomplishments and set the stage for what is to come in the New Year. 2011, it’s been real.
