It's just over a year since I first registered with Big Closet. I think it's safe to say that doing so has taught me a lot.

The highlights of 2013 include:

*
Having finally completed the Richard/Ruth series after nearly a decade of false starts and rewrites, I was able to publish the stories on a site that made them look like the work of a professional author. No one should ever forget just how impressive Big Closet appears to the first-time visitor, so thanks to Erin and her team for that.

*
Developing an appreciation of the real-world issues that transgender people face. I've always considered myself to be an enlightened individual, and yet I now realise that a year ago my ignorance of these issues knew no bounds.

*
Acquiring the confidence to admit - no, to boast - to complete strangers that I write transgender fiction. And I'm pleased to report that the reaction is nearly always along the lines of 'Really? Tell me more.'

*
Establishing a female online alter-ego and sticking with her. Though I'll be the first to concede that Nicki still needs to calm down a bit when she's blogging about stuff that bugs her.

There have been a few low points as well. Abandoning Goodbye Peter Stokes just when some of you felt it was about to take off made me feel terrible. I did try to get it going again, then began to recognise after two more aborted story sequences that I'd better call it a day and resort to shorter, more experimental fiction.

(Having said that, I plan to resurrect Oblivion's Curtain in the near future as The Muses of Strathgorrie. The thrill is back, though it's slow going.)

Plug over.

I've already thanked Erin. That leaves, in no particular order:

Dorothy, not just for the huggles
Drea, for words that drip with the molten gold of true friendship
Rev Anam, for the endless encouragement
Nagrij, for the effervescent prose
Elrod, for not giving up
Robyn, for making me think
Sue, for disguising the offence you must have taken at my tactless criticism

And not least Kelly Ann Rogers, wherever she may be.

I can't end without extending my best wishes to those who've experienced pain and heartbreak this year. May the cosmos show you a little more kindness during the coming twelve months.

That's enough sloppy sentiment. On the other hand...

http://youtu.be/6G4PIJirmhw