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There have been times when I think the New Year is a way that we fake ourselves out to think that we have a new beginning, when really it's just another day.

But this year, I needed to believe.

And I did.

2008 is a new beginning for me. 2007 was a remarkable year for many reasons, but one of transition. I made the leap to published author which has changed my life in many ways, some of which I'm still discovering as I write this.

I turned 28 about three weeks ago and spent part of my birthday wallowing in a rather large pool of self-pity. Oh, woe is me, I'm 28, have no house, no job, still broke (don't assume that because you get a book deal you've moved on up), got a pimp named Sallie Mae, and have no man (that's another blog post). While swimming laps in this pool, not once did I mention that I'm in great health, or that I'm back around the friends or family who love me. Nor did I mention that I accomplished one of the biggest feats that I said I never would. I wrote a book. A fact that I never truly reveled in. Just acted like I did.

So over the holiday, I was kind of MIA. In that reflective, pre-New Year's space. And it helped. Tremendously. Not only did I revel in 2007 accomplishments, I cleared my head. No like for real. I cleared my head.

And in doing so, I realized that at 28, I'm a beast. That's right I said it. I'm a beast. I've written a book, that I can safely say is hella good (we can talk about how long it took me to come to that realization later). I've written a novella (featured in HALLWAY DIARIES) when I used to think that I could never write fiction. Actually I've written 3 novellas if you count the two EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS books.

It might sound like I'm pumping myself up. Or tooting my own horn. You're damn right. Did I mention that in 2008, I'm no longer short-changing myself? That's so 2007.

I've got a new attitude. Cheesy? Perhaps. I know that it's only 4 days into the New Year, so there is the risk that my new attitude will wear off quicker than cheap makeup.

But guess what I realized? I've got a text, an inspiring book to keep me focused. I also realized over my "break" that shameless plugs are not always shameless, so here goes my obligatory one: If you are looking for that new you, check out THE MESSAGE. It's chock-full of lessons to inspire and prompt you to lead a better life. Ones that I use every day, many times without realization. Yes call it ironic that I've written a book categorized as self-help that I myself need to consult. What's realer than that?

But just in case you think when I'm pumping up THE MESSAGE, I'm just patting myself on the back with this new no-more-short-changing-myself attitude, you no longer have to just take my word for it. Check out the book's most recent review published by PopMatters that says, "[Pride's] having a dialogue between author and reader about "Life", with a capital "L", and our places in it..."

That's right folks, we're talking life here. And I'm committed to taking an active role in mine, where I feel the ups and downs and appreciate how both make me who I am and how they help me to grow. Not doing so is so 2007.

Okay all jokes and kidding aside. I look forward to 2008. I look forward to my continued journey as a writer. It feels good to write that. I'm blessed just because of that fact. Can't ever forget that.

A bestseller can't define my career as a writer. Not now. And not when it actually happens either.

I thank everyone who has supported me. It truly means something that you also believe in me.

There will be no taming of this beast.