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I’m usually not one for resolutions. Even when I used to make them, I would keep them to myself. But I learned last year that sometimes stating a goal out loud helps the brain to prioritize it better. That by proclaiming your intent to the world that maybe, just maybe, you might be more likely to achieve that goal, and if not, at least you’ll come closer than if you keep it to yourself unsaid.
At Clarion West, Chuck Palahniuk had us all do that, to state writing goals to one another, and to keep doing that on a regular basis. He related that of the people in his writing workshop, those that stated goals went on to much greater success than those who didn’t.
So here, in no particular order, are my resolutions/goals for this year:
– I will set aside some time every day for writing. At least twenty minutes a day, though the overall goal is more.
– I will get back to an exercise routine, but focusing on things I can do at any time (without access to a gym, for example). This may include running, but will definitely include situps, pushups, and handheld weight work.
– I will spend more time on music. And record my songs. I commit to a goal of recording one song a month. That’s practically an album’s worth by the end of the year.
– I will be better about external responsibilities (I took on a lot of new tasks last year – many of them web-related and I’m mostly referring to these – blogging, articles, editorial tasks, etc.) If I can’t fit it into my schedule, I’ll turn it down.
– I will say NO more often. Not committing to something is often better than committing and not being able to follow through.
– I will devote less attention to other people’s successes and failures (which doesn’t mean I won’t celebrate the success of friends and loved ones, but mostly that I will be less envious and covetous).
– I will be more honest.
– I will not listen to my fears.
– I will write another novel in 2009
More to come as they take shape.
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I’ve been re-reading the first book in Gene Wolfe’s Book of the New Sun as part of the Gene Wolfe Solar Cycle Book Club. I read Shadow of the Torturer and its sequel some years back and it was heady, dense stuff. I remember wanting a break before tackling the latter two books in the sequence. And never got around to them.
Then John Klima started the message board and I had an excuse to go back through the first two so that I can head on over to the next and then those after it. At the rate of one book a month it’s a pace I can handle.
A few thoughts on re-reading the first book:
While I was a bit lost on the first read through in places (not lost so much as bombarded by such a detailed and strange world that it was difficult to always know where you were) this one is much nicer and easier. I’m able to appreciate the language more and the unfamiliar terms and what they mean aren’t the distraction they were before.
I’ve been reading a chapter at a time when I can and each one is like a square of incredibly rich dark chocolate. Sweet and complex and satisfying. Just one will do, though there’s nothing to stop you from having more.
This time so far is a pure joy. I wonder how much is the experience I have with the world and characters and how much is me being a closer and more careful reader.
I know some people who have read some of Wolfe and didn’t like him. I can’t claim that was my experience, but I wonder if such people would have a change of heart on re-reading him.
I’m looking forward to the coming discussion.