2009: The Year I Get My Shit Together...
New Year Resolutions are kind of loaded, I expect, for most people. A whole lot of nice ideas and good intentions, and you never hear another peep about them until the regretful self-apologies on December 31. In other words, fuck resolutions.
... But I do have goals. Optimistic but reasonable, modest but attainable.
2 lbs per week
These years of fatassery are starting to weigh on me, pun most certainly intended. Two pounds is a little anticlimactic when it comes to each week's weigh in... but one-hundred pounds and change by this time next year ain't no minor feat.
2000 words per week
Writing is something that I've always wanted to do, and something that people around me won't stop giving me shit about... maybe this can shut all of us up. I'll be trying to put more (read: any) effort into this blog, but most of those words won't be here.
20% less debt
Sort of an arbitrary number, but I thought I'd stick with the 2's.
There you go, measurable goals. There are other things I'd like to do as well, but I'll keep those cards in my hand for the time being.
Happy New Year, all. Make this one count.
Here is where your past experience would be valuable to a n00b like me. I would very much like to join you in your writing escapade, though I have no idea how much I can commit to, as I really am planning on finishing school. The problem is, I'm not really sure how to go about doing it.
I would like a public place to post my work, where people could comment on it and make suggestions, but I feel that a blog may not be the best way to do that. I know you did a tandem-writing thing a while back with someone, and I also remember that you said NanoWriMo has some nifty system where people can read your work. Suggestions? How are you planning on doing it? Are you going to allow public viewing? What about constructive criticism?
Part of the reason I will not let this die, is that one of the most profound pieces of fiction I have ever seen was from your hands, nigh on ten years ago. Imagine what you can do with that powerfully matured mind now! True, more roadblocks have been built, but the vast treasure trove of experience you have been exposed to has surely provided you with tools to construct excellence. I'm not saying Shakespeare. Just something that is in you, banging on those doors to get out. And I would very much like to someday see it.
A story has been bubbling up in my head for the last month, something that might get away from me (because I want to incorporate many ideas for Sci-Fi I've had in the last ten years) but I think I'm ready to start it. Join me in self-indulgence and expression.
Posted by: MalevolentDragon | January 03, 2009 at 03:08 AM
I don't plan on sharing most of it, initially. Part of the issue I've had in the past is that I pretty much hate everything I write, and my biggest challenge is to get over that. The fundamental concept of NaNoWriMo is to just write, and don't worry what comes out. That is what editing is for. I've always struggled with that concept, but privacy is definitely one piece of it, I think.
The co-op novel thing was fun, while it lasted, but never got very far. We did that via TypePad, I think. If you want to write and share it publically, I can't think of anything better than a blog. You can always get a free one at blogger.com, or upgrade your TypePad account to have multiple blogs.
I plan on using Google Docs for most of my writing. That takes care of backups as well as making it available to me wherever I am. There are tons of differnet free programs out there for writing, though, if you're looking for some specific features.
Posted by: Aaron Welsher | January 03, 2009 at 09:57 AM