This year, I’m a bit despondent on the Hugo nominations. I’ve already read (and quite enjoyed) a signed ARC of Redshirts, courtesy of this contest right here, so I’m already a full 100% ahead of where I usually am in reading Hugo-nominated works every year. I’ve no interest in the Vorkosigan series, though I’ve been told it’s quality stuff. And I’ve also no interest in Arabic fantasy (no offense to my middle eastern friends, of course) it’s simply not a setting I’m connected to in any meaningful way. So, Throne of the Crescent Moon is not likely to make my reading list.

So I’ve added Kim Stanley Robinson’s 2312 to my “to-read” list, alongside Mira Grant’s third Newsflesh novel, Blackout (which was already on my list, because Feed was awesome). And yet with even those meager additions, my list grows ever larger, and my time ever shorter.

Maybe someday I’ll stop killing zombies in video games and read about other people killing zombies in the novels I need to read.

All in all, 2012 was a pretty good year for us. It was the year my father fought and beat cancer a second time. It was the year we were finally able to move our family out of our tiny house in our beloved small rural town, and into a bigger place in a Des Moines suburb. It was the year I got to work on some top priority projects at my day job, got to do some more international travel, and worked very hard on my assignments. It was the year I decided to finally focus on my art and try to not only continue to increase my skill, but also attempt to turn it into a functional side business. We may have run into money problems a couple of times during the year, but we always managed to dig our way out, through persistence, sacrifice, and help from our friends and family. Our kids are healthy, happy, growing, and learning (still at home!), and our family is strong and successful in all the ways that matter.

And from the looks of it, 2013 will likely turn out to be more of the same. I plan to focus even harder on improving my art and accelerating my business, and I’ve added new tools over the past couple of weeks that will help me do that. I’ve got some great projects in the works for next year, and I’m looking forward on completing some tasks and moving on to new challenges. Our family will continue to be focused on love and commitment, and we look forward to seeing spring at the new place.

The past year is one where I feel like many of our family’s hopes and dreams that we had been struggling for years to accomplish were finally fulfilled. It was a fight to get here, but it was one that was worth fighting, and one that we ultimately won. I have a feeling 2013 will have new struggles of its own, but will again be rewarding in all the ways we want it to be, with maybe a few surprises here and there.

So, here’s to an excellent 2013. May you shine as bright as I like to imagine you will.

But that’s okay, honestly, because I’ve been extraordinarily busy with what I can only describe as a passion for my true calling: drawing. Over the past month, I’ve been drawing regularly, setting aside two to four hours every evening (weeknights) or day (weekends) for various artistic pursuits. I’ve setup a Facebook page upon which to post my artwork, as well as a Deviantart page, and an (empty) Etsy site. All in preparation for my attempt to turn my love of drawing into a living, breathing, potentially even profitable, side business.

You can use any of the links above to check out the work I’ve been doing. I’m quite proud of what I’ve accomplished, but the best motivator is seeing that with each new drawing I produce, I’m slowly getting better at my craft.

At the moment I’m in the process of selecting a printer (company, not device) to use to generate professional prints of my art that I can sell through my Etsy store. Once that’s ready, I’ll just be focusing on drawing, drawing, and more drawing to add even more content to the store for people to purchase.

Excited? I am! I never pictured myself doing something like this, but I’m incredibly grateful that I’m able to follow such a dream, and not only do the people around me not laugh at my silly ideas, but actually encourage me to be successful.

Onward and upward.

In addition, along with a fresh, clean coat of paint, I’ve established a self-hosted WordPress blog (no more Tumblr!), and I’m also in the process of assembling a self-hosted image gallery for my growing portfolio of artwork.

So, take a look around, kick the tires on the new site, and let me know if anything appears to be broken or missing.

And welcome!

Hey Des Moines What Iffers! Scott here. I think it would be fun to do a whole week of State Fair related What If questions starting on August 6. Think about the entertainment, the attendees, the schedule, the location, the exhibitions, the FOOD, the traditions, and, yes, the butter sculptures. Think up some wild, funny, or thoughtful “What if…” questions about the Iowa State Fair and send them in via whatifdesmoines.com/submit.

DO EET.