Look out! It’s only 2011 barging its way in, isn’t it. Bloody New Year, charging about like it owns the place. That’s the trouble with New Years, they’re full of demands.
What demands? Why the demand that we all make resolutions, for starters.
Personally, I can never be bothered with that sort of thing. I hate making promises that I know full well I’ve got no intention of keeping. And comedy resolutions wear a bit thin rather quickly too.
What to do, what to do?
Well, I’ve decided to avoid the whole resolution thing and instead I’ve made a list of projects. These are the projects that I either intend to begin, or at the very least give some thought to, in the New Year. It’s not a big list, but it’s a start:
- Re-write Monkeygeddon: Plenty of work to be done on my NaNoWriMo project. The story needs a proper going over and thanks to Scrivener, that should be much more straightforward than writing it in the first place.
- Sort out the characters and plot for my kids book before getting on and writing it: Having messed about with a few different stories, I’ve finally settled on something I like the sound of. The Tale of Skeleton Bob, will be the happy little story of a child murdering, serial killer.
- Begin planning for the next NaNoWriMo: As much as I want to write a kids book, I also want to write trash-pulps for adults. NaNo is the perfect opportunity to do something different and that’s what I’ll be doing. I’ve got a vampire story I’ve wanted to write for ages but I’ve been putting it off. After getting through that damn monkey story, I’m now more confident about getting this story onto paper.
- Short stories: Novels are all well and good, but I want to be doing a bunch of short stories too. It’s a great way of flexing the old writing muscle and gives you a chance to try out new stuff.
- Self-publish a short story collection: E-books are really taking off now and that makes self-publication easier than ever. Maybe 2011 is the year to give this a try.
- Think of many other projects: I’m sure there’ll be a bunch of other stuff I’ll think of throughout the year. Most of which will, no doubt, involve hats and pork products. The important things is, I’ll be having fun.
So that’s my list, what’s yours? And don’t tell me you haven’t got one, you’re all writers, so fill us in.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Would love to learn more about self-publishing myself. I can see this ebook thing being pretty important for me next year. Let me know how I can help/support you in this project. Shared resource and the like.
Nice blog.
It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while, initially in the form of chapbooks, but e-book publication is looking a lot more likely. All I have to do now, is write something worthwhile
Projects instead of resolutions idea definitely sounds the way forward. I only have two plans for this year:
The first is to stop thinking about writing and actually write. I have made a start on this one, but I’m still prone to staring into the middle distance alot. The second is to stop being embarrassed when I tell people that I write – and actually be proud of what I do.
Anything else will be a bonus …
Don’t forget, Joanna, if your staring out the window, it counts as work. Also, when you tell people you are a writer, never wait for the oohs and ahhhs of admiration. They never come and I look stupid…erm, I mean you will look stupid…I have never done that…not more than three times anyway
Ha! I never wait for admiration … but a lack of ridicule would be good though!
For 2010 I did resolutions and only met about half of them. For 2011 I have changed tactics slightly and have instead done “The Year of Doing Big, Fun, Scary Things Together” theme from the NaNoWriMo website, so I have done my goals until the next NaNo. Most of them are confidence and writing related, but not necessarily prose.
We’ll see how I do, good luck with your project goals.
Matt.
I think the important thing, is to not care. That way, you avoid disappointment.
I wish you luck and much enjoyment
I am no good at resolutions: making or keeping them. My project goals for 2011 are to write a couple more picture books, send a couple of my already-written picture books to publishers/agents and to maybe delve into short story writing (I have had various ideas but not had enough time (read been brave enough) to write them yet).
I like this idea, thanks!!
See, projects are much easier than resolutions, seeeeeeeee.
I win again.
You win the battle but not the war Mr Uku. You definitely do not win the war! Muahahahahahhahahahahahahaha
Oh I thought just giving up booze for January was enough! Are we supposed to be doing projects too?
Giving up what now?
If anything, you should be having more booze. It’s the only way you’ll get through all the lovely new projects you’re now planning.
I want to finish the book I didn’t finish in Nano. Just basically write more, I guess. Or should I write more basically? Wonder what the genre would be? Base-rotica? These are the important questions, you know.
Base-rotica?
I thought you were writing a kids book about pirates.
And you think I’m weird.