A Look Back - Planning Forward

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Image (C) Doris McCraw 

2025 is about to be a scene in the rearview mirror. Here is a look back at the year of blog posts:

January - I began the year on a Thank You: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/01/thank-you.html

February - A look at my reading list and the importance of stories: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/02/and-next.html

March - Relevance and a rant of sorts: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/03/relevant-it-depends.html

April - The upcoming A250-C150: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/04/150-250.html

May - A look at AI and its influence? :https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/05/andi-share.html

June - Some of my favorite opening lines: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/06/opening-lines.html

July - A look at some of the painters and photographers of the Old West: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-other-side-of-west.html

August - A deep dive into the people that caught my reading attention: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/08/research-reading-deep-dive.html

September - A bit about the man made 'famous' in Isabella Bird's book  "A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains": https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/09/rocky-mountain-jim.html

October - A look at a man who impacted early Colorado: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/10/sir-st-george-gore.html

November - Dr. Dunlop and her connection to the Lake County War: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/10/sir-st-george-gore.html

As I plan 2026, my thought is to deep-dive into the people who were involved in the effort to secure Colorado's statehood in 1869, the results, and the process that led to Colorado becoming the Centennial State. For those who have the time to read these blogs, as well as the others who post here, we hope our offerings are of some use and enjoyment.

Until next year, 

Stay Safe, Stay Creative, and Stay Happy,

Until Next Time,

Doris

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WESTERN FICTIONEERS by CHERYL PIERSON

This won’t be long, just short and sweet—a time to say thank you to everyone who has helped on the WESTERN FICTIONEERS BLOG this year. Too often, we don’t take the time to say how much we appreciate those who help along the way, and that’s what I’d like to do today.

To everyone who writes a monthly post, or even a sporadic one every so often—Thank you!

To everyone who comments on the posts others have prepared—Thank you!

To everyone who “fills in” at the last minute when I’m losing my mind and forget that I don’t have someone scheduled on the calendar—Thank you!

To everyone who offers to “do what they can” to help—Thank you!

Can’t say enough how much I appreciate working with Livia on this blog—she’s awesome! Thank you, Livia!

Thanks to those who give us their life experiences to think on, and ponder, and open up a part of themselves to us as fellow writers and friends.

Much thanks to those who spend hours and hours on preparation for their blogs on various topics and present them so beautifully that we could read on and on--and hate to wait for the next installment to roll around! It seems like it takes forever sometimes, instead of a month!


Special thanks to the creators of officers of the WESTERN FICTIONEERS, who've given us a wonderful place to work on our dreams and visions in writing and get it out before the public.

Because we’ve all worked so hard together this year on our blog, we’ve increased our followers by almost DOUBLE what they were in January! We’ve gone from 99 blog followers to 197 as of today. That, folks, is amazing.

No one person can take credit for this, and for our name being as recognized and respected as it has become. I know many times it’s hard to see the value in a blog, but if nothing else, it increases our visibility to the public and lets them get to know us as writers and people. I love that aspect of it, because I think of our readers as friends—even if we have never met them.

Yes, sales are wonderful, but so is hearing from someone who says, “I couldn’t put your book down. I just wanted to write and tell you how much I loved it.”

We’re looking at scheduling for next year, and trying to build the calendar ahead of time. Livia and I are hoping that everyone who is blogging will continue to blog, and that those of you who have not signed up for some of our special features (Saturday Matinee, Friday Five, Six Sentence Sunday, Fave Western Short Story/Novel, Fave Western TV Series) will do so.

These slots are sometimes hard to fill, but usually get the most comments. And when I advertise these on Facebook, oddly, even if people don’t comment on the blog, they comment on the page where I’ve left the link on Facebook. I think many people DO come read the blog—maybe they just don’t comment. And what could be more fun than writing about your favorites in the western field?

If any of you who are regular bloggers would like to make changes to your topics, please let me know, and I’ll change it for next year on the calendar. If anyone who ISN’T blogging now would LIKE to blog, please let me know and I will see what slots are available. If you plan to keep to your schedule from this year, you don’t need to do anything at all. We are always in need of prizes—if anyone would like to contribute a free book for a giveaway once in a while, that would also be much appreciated—digital or print.

The point is, this is a joint effort and it takes everyone to make it succeed. It’s been a lot of fun these past few months, and Livia and I have been really excited to see the progress our blog has made. Please don't be upset if I didn't put your picture in today's post. I used all the ones I had saved from previous blogs. Your efforts are just as much appreciated and remembered!

Here’s hoping that 2014 will be even better! Let’s all make it a great year for the WESTERN FICTIONEERS!