I've done this every year since 2021. As the year closes, it's time to reflect on how things went, and also to turn our heads towards the future. Let the tradition continue!
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Three words to describe 2024.
Exciting, terrifying, and anxious.
What was the most memorable moment for you of 2024?
Getting my book published--particularly its release date, July 2, 2024.
What was your most played song of 2024?
I didn't play music very often...in fact, hardly at all...but I think I listened to "Splash Free!" a few times. It's the ending credits song to the first season of the anime Free! and is a certified banger.
Did you take any trips in 2024? Tell us about the most memorable ones and why!
Well...we visited my sister in Maryland, which was a nice trip, and I was supposed to immediately follow that up with a trip to Columbus for Animate, but...I got COVID on my last day in Maryland and had to cancel Animate, which was extra unfortunate because I was missing a lot of actors I wanted to meet, and I was also a panelist. Anyway, I had always been terrified of COVID, especially with how things played out in the beginning...all I can say is I'm lucky for the vaccines because COVID is awful and it would've been much worse without the shots.
Something you’re looking forward to this coming year?
I'm so panicky and simultaneously braindead that my mind can't jump too far ahead, but I'd like to say that I'm looking forward to getting more reviews for Son of the Siren and hopefully getting back in the writing game.
What was your favorite meme of 2024?
This is an old meme but I saw it on FB and liked it:
What was the hardest thing you went through in 2024?
My health absolutely sucked (and still sucks) this year. Lots of vomiting, lots of anxiety and paranoia...it affected my writing, my job...we made a lot of changes to my medication but nothing seems to have worked. Tied with that....we lost two men who were a major part of our family's lives. Their deaths were really close together and both were very sudden.
Who/What are you most thankful for throughout the last year?
My core unit of family. My Mom always listens to me and offers encouragement, and my sister takes on that role, too. My brother is hilarious. I don't know what I'd do without them.
What was the funniest thing that happened in 2024?
I honestly can't think of anything. This was such a rough year.
What was your favorite series this year?
In terms of anime, I really had a blast with Cherry Magic. Attack on Titan ended and it was totally emotional and shocking to me. To be honest, I don't really "get" it but I couldn't stop thinking about it. So that would be my second favorite series this year.
What societal events or news stories shocked you this year?
That Trump won the presidency again, and by the popular vote as well as the Electoral college. That was one of the worst days of the year. And I'm scared of what will be coming for us all.
What are you hoping for less of this coming year?
Less anxiety would be nice. It's getting really hard to function.
What are you hoping for more of this coming year?
I'm hoping to get some writing done. I pretty much stopped in 2024 due to my mental health.
What personal goals did you achieve in 2024?
The biggie was getting the book published. They say that publishing can be a slow crawl, but Oliver Heber Books jumped right on it!
What is your favorite YouTube Content Creator in the last year?
I watched Jesse the Reader a lot more than the other BookTubers this year. I really like his positivity, even when he's DNF'ing books or talking about how they didn't quite work for him. I also like how he always signs off on his videos.
What are you/did you do for New Year's Eve?
I'm going to bed early. I haven't been able to shake a 6:30pm/7:00pm bedtime for a while now.
What was your most memorable New Year's moment?
I probably said this last year, but Sumiyoshi Shrine for the Year of the Boar (my birth year). A shrine maiden danced for me, and I felt so warm and fuzzy from that!
Where is your dream city/place to celebrate New Year's?
Compared to all my other New Year celebrations, Japan is the place to be. 3 days of grand festivities at the shrine makes it feel like one big optimistic party.
Do you celebrate New Year's with a kiss?
Haven't since college (undergrad).
In 2025, what are your goals?
I really, REALLY need to get back in the swing of writing. I need to make books.
Where do you want to travel in 2025?
I briefly had enough money to have been able to go back to Japan for a trip, but I spent it on GalaxyCon, book publicity, books, clothes, makeup, Crunchyroll...so I'll be staying home this year. I emotionally shopped, and while it felt great at the time and I got some things I've always wanted, in hindsight I should've watched myself.
What film are you most excited for in 2025?
I have no idea what's coming out in 2025! Ever since my mother got rid of the Entertainment Weekly subscription years and years ago, I've been out of touch with movies. I do want to watch the anime The Summer Hikaru Died because I also have the manga. This comes out in 2025 on Netflix.
What do you think YouTube will be like this year?
My favorite BookTubers keep making longer and longer videos that test my endurance. So I'm predicting this trend will probably continue as BookTubers do deep-dive criticism.
What do you think 2025 is the year of?
It's the year of the snake!
What are your New Year’s resolutions?
To get healthier and to finish a book. Any book! Just finish something!
How are you going to motivate yourself to stick to your goals this year?
I don't really know. In my depression and anxiety, I sort of already rewarded myself in order to feel better. I'm not sure what I can do to motivate myself except to maybe continue to acquire more beautiful books and update my shelves. I love books so much!
What are your dream scenarios for 2025?
That I finish The Name and the Key, have the next two books plotted, and have my agent sell The Name and the Key to a publisher.
In 2025, what new things do you want to try?
I'm getting to be a curmudgeon who is running out of energy to try new things. And I can't think of anything new I'd like to try, anyway.
What are you going to stop doing in 2025?
I don't have a lot of confidence as I write this because this year was so rough, but I guess if I'd have to choose, I'd like to stop napping for 2-3 hours every day. I already go to bed really freaking early, so I shouldn't need to nap. If I could master the art of a 30-minute power nap, I'd feel a lot better, I think.
Three words to describe your upcoming 2025?
Hope, anxiety, fear.
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