...or maybe it's stalking me. I can never tell with these things.
Anyway, the beginning of a brand new year is only a few days off and I've been thinking about the shift from '09 to '10. First off, it's going to be a lot shorter to say - oh-nine vs. ten - but that's neither here nor there.
No, I've been thinking about making a few changes in how I approach my life. (Because, let's face it - some of this life ain't working too great, if you catch my drift.) As my husband is fond of quoting - and I'm sorry I don't remember who he's quoting - "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results."
Which is why I decided to write in a totally different genre a few months back. I'm still keeping the general gist of the story pretty close to the vest, but this book is about genies. Yes, I did what I thought I wouldn't do and wrote a paranormal. (Or maybe it's urban fantasy... :shrug:) I took what I knew about the supernatural creatures, and I warped it all into a mythos of my own making. So far, I think I have a pretty believable world and I really like the people populating it. We'll see what the industry thinks once I finish it.
I also changed my approach to writing - at least with this story. So far I've only written in third POV, and I'm in the process of converting my 3rd POV book into 1st. It's coming out well. I like the MC, and looking at the world through her eyes makes this book even better.
What's left to change? Well, on a personal level, I'm making a commitment to do a better job of keeping the house clean. Let's face it, folks, Mary Poppins I am not. Oh, my home isn't a disaster area, but the dust bunnies are threatening to take over, the cat hair is making our carpets a darker shade of pale, and if I didn't know what color my tables were, I wouldn't be able to tell. Hell, I haven't seen the top of my computer in months.
I'm also committing to getting healthier. This year is going to see my 40th birthday, and I am not getting any younger. Of course, at the moment, I'm up to my eyeballs in chocolates and other Christmas goodies, but I swear that once all this yumminess is eaten, I'm not buying any more. (I told my husband that, and he laughed at me, but I'm serious.)
On the writing front, I'm going to make myself get back into some kind of schedule. I've got work to do that just isn't getting done - as you may have noticed from looking at my unmoving word meter over the past week. Not only do I have this manuscript that I'm shifting POVs with, but a couple other of my previously written manuscripts would benefit from some added attention. So, I'm planning on revisiting everything to see what I can make work.
Now, every year since I started writing, I've said that 'this year is going to be my year'. I'm not saying that this year. Nope. This year is I'm going to do the best I can and let the chips fall where they may. I may get an agent this year. I might even get a publishing contract. Only time will tell. The point is, I'm not setting myself up for failure by promising myself something that is, ultimately, outside my control. I'm just going to write the best books I know how, and I'm going to put together the best query materials I know how. If doing those gets my foot in the door, great. If not, I'll content myself with seeing you back here this time 2010 and knowing I did everything I could for my career.
Have you been thinking about the new year? What are your plans for 2010?
Oh good list =] All do-able too, which is wonderful. I find that most people come up with lists that just aren't going to happen.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about the new year, but I'm not quite sure what I want to accomplish exactly.
I want to keep my grades up-- but that's a given.
I'd like to lose some weight too, but unfortunately that depends entirely on my school workload. However, I am going to try my hardest to work out on the weekends when I'm home. If anything I'll just be healthier and feel like I'm accomplishing something.
And lastly, I'd like to get my butt into gear with this writing thing. Last semester was insanely busy, and this semester is probably going to be the same; however, I need to write. It's how I relax, so not doing it doesnt work out too well for me. Plus, this is what I want to do, and I know I can write an amazing story, so I'd like to show everyone else that I can do it.
Well I have to say that my plans are much like yours for 2010.
ReplyDeleteI need to focus more on improving my short story writing, eat less chocolate and start/finish a book I've been researching. Apart from that I'd love to be published.
Here's hoping we get what we wish for in 2010.