So here we are, having run our race of 2019, on the penultimate day of the year—the perfect time to review the most read posts on Anything, Really during the course of the past twelve months.

Usually I review the top ten posts in chronological order through the year, but because of the nature of the post that garnered the most distinct reads, this year I’m going to list in order of hits — and hope that next year will be one where I can revert to the old order!

A link to the post is embedded in the title.

And here they are:

1. A Dark Day — March 18

I posted this three days after the Christchurch terror attack of March 15. The post contains both a summary of events at the time and my personal response to them. I’m glad if blog followers and visitors found something in it worth reading. Nine months on, it’s as important as ever that we don’t forget to remember those who were murdered and those who still suffer, both survivors and victims’ families and friends.

2. On Worldbuilding — February 18

This post was sparked by a question I received on Good Reads, about the “how to” and mechanics of fantasy worldbuilding. I sought to oblige with some tips and principles, and the post appears to have struck a chord. 🙂
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3. My Worldbuilding: A Few Thoughts on Guiding Influences — February 25

A week after the “On Worldbuilding” post, I followed up with a close look at what I consider the strongest elements and influences in my own worldbuilding.

4. It’s Not The End Yet — But I Can See It From Here: A WALL #4 Update — November 4

Yes, you’ve guessed it from the title — the writing progress update proving perennially popular! 😉

And yes, I can still “the end” off there in the distance, although there are a goodly few leagues to cover still, before we get there. Or to quote Tom O’ Bedlam:

“Ten leagues beyond the wild world’s end.
Methinks it is no journey.”

5. The Month Of Daughter Of Blood — Something Readers Might Not Know —November 25

As part of supporting the US edition being on Kindle Monthly Deal, I made November the month of Daughter of Blood (The Wall Of Night Book Three.) In this post, I shared a behind the scenes fact about the book, which engendered some lighthearted discussion.

6. Daughter Of Blood Q&A Thursday #1 — November 7

The Q&A Thursdays were another vital part of the Month of Daughter of Blood, with some great questions rolling in. I had quite a lot of fun with the answers as well. 😉

7. A Present Of The Word “Present”, Including A Sneak Snippet From WALL #4 — April 29

I’d seen a few author friends getting into Book Quote Wednesday so thought I would give it a whirl. The word for April 29 was “present”and the post features includes quotes from all my published novels. And yes, a sneaky wee snippet from WALL #4 crept in, too…

8. What I’m Reading: The Gossamer Mage by Julie Czerneda — July 29

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of Julie Czerneda’s latest fantasy, The Gossamer Mage, and shared my thoughts here as part of the publication razzmatazz. Hint: both reading thumbs were up.

9. “number eight wire” — The Fourth New Zealand Haiku Anthology — April 1

I was delighted to have a haiku eligible for inclusion in number eight wire, the fourth NZ haiku anthology. I wasn’t able to attend the launch in Tauranga, but did a blog shout-out instead.

10. Watchtower by Elizabeth A Lynn — aka The Unreliability of Book Lists — October 21

In compiling an impromptu Fantasy reading list, I was chagrined to realise I had omitted to mention the seminal and still groundbreaking (imho) Watchtower by Elizabath A Lynn. In order to remedy the oversight, I gave it a post to itself. Clearly it garnered interest, which the book entirely deserves.

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There they are — and here we are, together on the cusp of 2020. Thank you for continuing to read, follow, and interact in 2019.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year celebration and all good things for the year ahead.