New Year's Literary Resolutions 2012

Here we go again. Last year's resolutions weren't quite as successful as I would've liked.

Though I did finish my first book, entered a writing competition and got a bit more serious about my writing, I hardly wrote a word the last few months of the year.

Bad form, as Captain Hook would say.

So, now that I've moved house and got a bit more room (and an actual chair to sit on when scribbling typing away) I'm hoping to get back into my writing.

I will also do a bit more reading. I read maybe two or three books last year. Ouch. Now that I've been reunited with my to-read books (thanks to my aunt and uncle who brought them to England last month), I will compose a reading list for 2012.

Reading List 2012:

Jane Austen - Emma, Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility.
Georgette Heyer - Arabella, The Black Moth
Edith Wharton - The Age of Innocence
Gail Carriger - Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, Timeless
Emily Brontë - Wuthering Heights
George RR Martin - A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons

If I manage to read all of the above books or even exceed my expectations, I will be a very happy camper.

I will also continue work on my own Jane Austen-style regency romance, my steampunk novel and write some poetry.

National Poetry Day

Why did no one tell me it was National Poetry Day?

I could've written something truly inspiring. Well, perhaps. I could've given it a go at least.

Still could, but it's getting late and my brain is half-way to Neverland. Not sure it could still produce coherent sentences.

Never mind masterful poetry and to make a half-hearted attempt would be an insult to National Poetry Day, would it not?

It is. Or so I tell myself. Perfect excuse.

As the Spanish would say: "Mañana, mañana!"

Because tomorrow... is another day! Better make it count then.

The Art of Procrastination

I often think to myself: this weekend I'm going to write!

What's wrong with this way of thinking?

First of all, writing shouldn't have to be planned. Second of all, it should be done every day.

I come up with many excuses not to do it. Some of my favourites?

1. First, I should check my email/read the news/update my facebook, etc.
2. But there's a nice film/TV show on that I should watch for inspiration.
3. Maybe later. Let's listen to some music first.
4. I still need to get my groceries/do my laundry.
5. But my friend/boyfriend/relative just got online and we haven't spoken in....hours!

Of course there aren't enough hours in the day to do all the things we want to do. Which is why we should get our priorities straight. What is more important? Working on that international best-seller that is sure to win the Nobel Prize of Literature... or watch random cat videos on YouTube?

The choice is yours.

New Year's Literary Resolutions

Happy New Year!

May 2011 become a year of success, great happiness and wisdom. I hope my fellow-writers will achieve their literary goals and get the recognition they deserve. As for me, I only have a few New Year's Resolutions and they're fairly modest and realistic.

-drumroll-

My goals for the upcoming year are as follows:

• To continue improving my craft through constant exercise
• To get a short story published in an anthology
• To enter writing competitions to get my work out there
• To finish the first draft of my manuscript 
• To undertake further training in a creative writing course

Definitely doable, right?

I have already made my payment for the Brit Writers' Awards so I am putting the finishing touches on my requirements for resolution #3. A good beginning of the new year! I have added a few new links to my writing directory so I can soon move on to #2 and #5. Wish me luck! With all the talent we have out there, I'm going to need it.