Nothing keeps a person more honest than making resolutions. Let me rephrase that: Nothing keeps a person more honest than making resolutions, if made with a bent toward realism. Example: This year I resolve to write 5,000 words per week and query over a hundred literary agents...NOT!
Granted, at times I'm crazier than a shit-house rat, but I'm not stupid. Do not expect to see any writing goals on my resolution list because I know myself well enough to realize that I write when the spirit moves me. If spirit feels up to the challenge, then maybe I'll follow its lead.
And that's how, in my opinion, resolutions should be made, geared toward the doable and not the impossible. That said, without further adieu, here are my resolutions for 2010 (in no particular order):
1. Avoid naysayers at all costs. Last year I allowed the negativity of others to affect me. Not they did so intentionally. Some people just can't help but to whine about everything. EVERYTHING! They start off with just a few gripes, and I always lend a sympathetic ear, and that's when the wheels fall off my "compassion" wagon. It's as if these people only need the slightest bit of "Oh, I know what you mean" before they soon unload the rest of their negative vibes all over. It's happened at school; it's happened at blogs, which brings me to resolution number
2. No visiting blogs that either speak of the cold-heartedness of the publishing industry, or ones whose followers relate their experiences with the cold-hearted publishing industry. I get it. People get burned. We all do at times, but does it help to rain all over my optimistic parade? I blame myself for allowing the naysayers to get under my skin. Forgive them; they are clueless. Moving on to number
3. Stop taking people at face value. I charge myself with this offense and plead guilty as charged. At times I wear blinders, which work in two directions: Either I see nothing but good, or nothing but bad. I have jumped to conclusions about a person's character without allowing it to unfold further. Shame on me. Sometimes it's too late to warm up to a person whose first impression was prickly, and sometimes it's too late to back away when a person's true colors make me want to run screaming. I need to listen to my guardian angel more, which brings me to number
4. Pay closer attention to my gut feelings. Why, oh why, do I always ignore that little voice in my head? Sure, maybe it's hard to hear over all the other ones, but I've felt that twinge in my gut that tells me something is bad or good and have ignored it completely. Plus, I have a tendency to think that everyone else knows more than me. That said, I ignore my own process, which ultimately turns into a real buzz kill, which leads me back to number 1, called number
5. Stay away from buzz kills. When I have a shiny new idea, or just something that makes me feel all tingly inside, I need to share it with no one except, perhaps, my guardian angel.
6. (The autonomous one.) Only visit uplifting blogs, and stop wasting time visiting and commenting at one where there is no reciprocation. Sounds childish? Maybe, but I give my comments in-depth thought. The least I can get is the same in return. Is that asking too much?
So, there it is, etched in figurative granite for all to see and hold me accountable.
Happy 2010!
7 comments:
Have a great 2010, Kath! This year I'm resolving to love more and to focus on the joy in life. My only specific resolution is to finish my wip by the end of Jan.
Edie, your resolutions are very doable, and very worthy. I'm going to add yours to mine. Everyone should try and love more while focusing on the joys.
You'll have a great 2010, I'm sure!
Happy Twenty Ten, Kath! I was about to make mine, and then Glenn leaving skewed my priorities and made me depressed, lol. Better now. Yours sound great! I hate to leave the publishing is dying blogs, too. Just not worth it.
I understand it, though.
Oh, you know, I meant "I hate to read," not "I hate to leave," LOL. I LOVE to leave those blogs, lol! The other topic I dropped was anything to do with the ebook vs. print book debate, or the self-publishing whatever. Just couldn't take them any more!
Or... one friend, man. I mean, everything has to be a HUGE drama debate. She's exhausting.
Natasha, I especially hate the ones who debate, too. Have you noticed that they're actually debating with themselves? Seriously, I dropped going to one person's blog because she'd start arguments not only at her blog, but at others, too.
And I'm with you on the ebook debates, too. Unless the blogger has a valid point, I'll stop reading. I just don't understand why some won't consider reading ebooks just because they're ebooks.
Happy 2010, Kath!! I really like your resolutions. I've been asked several times if I've made any and I say nope, because I never keep them! So this year to myself I've pledged to write *more* than I did last year - should be able to do that! - and to find the little joys in everyday.
:) Just got my joy for today! (Visiting here in case that wasn't clear.) I hope each and every day this year gives you something to smile about, Savvy!
Binks! I'm glad I made your day. I truly hope that your book is picked up soon. Gosh, I have so many friends on the cusp of writing greatness it's staggering (or maybe it's my vertigo acting up again).
Here's to the best New Year ever!
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