Another year dawns, and it’s time to make our personal improvement project goals! Unless of course you’re resolving not to resolve. No judging here.
I personally like the whole New Year’s Resolution tradition because I like to think things can keep improving in the world, and the only way that can happen is one person at a time. The truth is, we can all be better than we are currently, and I like that we begin each year with that thought in mind. Even if our diets are then promptly felled by Mr. Burrito.
Mr. Burrito, why must you be so delicious?? Your accomplices Chips & Guac are not helping matters.
My resolutions for 2011 are (in varying degrees of seriousness):
– No more random gray hairs. Seriously scalp, you have your instructions, get it in gear.
– Happier dog
– Moving it up to level 4 on the exercise bike. Watch out, people.
– Continue to resist computer games. No time. No…. ok just one more round of Civilization.
– Be a better writer and exorcise my writerly tics like the demons they are.
– Finally use one of those tire pressure thingies
– Find three good new bands. No more post-early-20’s-musical-discovering-laziness.
– A more perfect harmony between work, writing, relationships, and fun. My fellow writers, is that not the dream?
What about you?
Mira –
I understand your addiction. Nathan has really created a thing into itself here, it's like a virtual Cheers.
Aside from joining you in wanting to floss daily, I'd also like to kindly suggest you 86 the 12-stepper in favor of a new movement. Call us the Bransfordians.
Nathan's really gonna love this, he said sarcastically.
To help with your band resolution, check out Sleigh Bells. They're kinda like Arcade Fire. If Arcade were cheerleaders and they got a hold of acid and an eight ball.
Recently stumbled upon this blog when realizing that I should probably join the new millenium by spending less time at the beach to have a sustained virtual life, too. If someone named Mira loves the blog, and this is a Cheers-esque community, well then it seems like a nice place to start. Can I be Carla?
I'm thinking my resolution will be to become a NBB addict as well.
So that the other addictions don't get jealous, though, I'm heading out for a good dirty chile relleno with extra guacamole right now. Good luck everyone, and Nathan: Level 4…I don't know…I've heard it's pretty fierce.
I have two 100% non-breakable resolutions.
1) write at least 99% original content for my blog(s).
2) polish up my synopsis so that I can get off my 45 year old, slightly fat and completely bald butt, and jump in feet first into that vast ocean called "querying".
Over at The Spectacle (a group blog on speculative fiction — science fiction, fantasy, paranormal etc. — for young people), we’ve started the new year with a five-part roundtable discussion of New Year’s Resolutions as they relate to writing.
http://thespectacleblog.wordpress.com/
1) Keep trying to get an agent!
2) Discover the concept of portion control to see if my abs capable of becoming more than vague outlines. This isn't so much a result of vanity as it is of curiosity! But I do like health and fitness, so that's part of it.
3) Prepare for a move to Seattle so I can create a life for myself in a place that inspires me!
Dude, what are you doing to your dog? If it was your CAT that was unhappy, I'd understand.
Good luck with your resolutions. Mine is to achieve world peace. I'll let you know how that goes.
Regarding writing: to start a blog (I did – yeah), to enter a contest once a month and to do on-line classes (started one in January on grammar). For my group Florida Sisters in Crime: 80 members (we have 53 now), and personally: that old get in shape thing.
I promised myself to finish the first draft of a tween novel by the end of 2010, which I did. My 2011 resolution is to polish the manuscript and get it out to a publisher by the end of March.
Resolutions are good for me (so are deadlines). Telling people makes me determined to meet them.
Debbie
Nathan, last year my New Year’s Resolution was to be published by the end of the year. I made that happen myself by publishing with POD publishers just before Christmas. Yay! I’ve made a few sales too with my paperbacks and an eBook, and just in time for Christmas.
This year's resolution is to become 'A Skinny Best Selling Author.' There, I’ve said it now, so I have to make it happen. Haha. Plus I have to write the sequels to two of my published children’s books and publish them by the end of the year. LOL.
Happy New Year, Nathan, and everyone. Good luck with all your goals.
Trish.
I ordinarily hate making New Year's resolutions, but you've inspired me, Nathan.
1. Let Lupe sit for another two weeks before I reread and take a last pass.
2. Don't let Lupe sit any longer than two weeks! Get her to my agent no later than February 1.
3. Blog at least once a week.
4. Check out favorite blogs but don't spend more than an hour a week reading other people's blogs.
5. Oh, yeah, and learn how to live more frugally.
I just want to finish this last biography and then never never take one on again….ever!!!….unless its really really good.
My ex-girlfriend gave a pen, a lined notebook and two books: one called "Write a Novel" and one called "How NOT to Write a Novel".
Of course, if she hadn't chosen LAST new year to dump me for her witless ex-boyfriend, I wouldn't have so much self-pitying heartbreak to serve as material for the novel. Also I might not have needed to to start smoking again, necessitating this new year's other resolution.
My veins run with vinegar. Where's my pen?
I have many.
~ Lose weight (of course – but I really need to do this – I'm not fat, but my blood pressure is starting to run on the normal/high side)
~ Cut some stuff out and focus on what I really love
~ Listen to God and his direction
To stop reading my own book reviews.
Seriously. It's not good 🙂
– stop with the political shows on TV. Rachel Maddow you are addictive.
– make sure I have sketchbook with me and drawing pencils! Never know when opportunity or inspiration will strike.
– don't follow politics so much.
– buy more mushrooms, I love mushrooms.
– Avoid being swept into HuffPost political carnival (ie, GIGANTIC HEADLINES ALL THE TIME! MUST FOLLOW DAILY! HOURLY! EVERY FIVE MINUTES! NO YOU DON'T!)
– spend more time at Detroit Zoo. I really like to sketch animals – and I want to catch a polar bear swimming in their "Arctic Circle of Life" underwater walkthrough. So far, I've only seen seals…I love the seals…but I just want to see a swimmin' polar bear.
Well, those are all my non-writerly resolutions.
Nathan, My comments re. this posting are are on my blog… I don't agree with adamo who suggests you keep your goals secret. If you share, it inspires others and has nothing to do with you being likely to accomplish them or not. Accomplishment is tied heavily to consistency. Sounds a bit boring but its true.
Resolution, schmesolution. Maybe I'll try, TRY, to buy smaller bottles of wine and bum less cigarettes. But, that may be asking for too much. I'm just in a snarky mood right now. Do not be worried. Am I talking to myself here? How much can I ramble on before anyone notices…
Find a show that is better than MTV's "Real World/Road Rules Challenge."
I agree–my prospects look bleak.
More hard work, more fruits and veggies, less booze, less junk food, less fast food…
Now that it's in print in front of me, it sounds so depressing. I'd better give up now before I put too much effort in to this.
Gray hairs? I think I've skipped that phase, and am finding little white ones infiltrating the ol' scalp. What's with that?
Haha, love your writing style and humor–exorcising your writerly tics like the demons they are. Perfect!
I too get distracted by "just one more round" of Civ! Glad to know I am not alone.
My resolution is simple, schedule time to write seven days a week and finish my current WIP by June.
As for music, you can't go wrong with Vampire Weekend.
Anon 1:36 and Lauren, I think Sommer coined the term "Bransformers" in the forums for the forum folks. That's a good term. 🙂
Mine are really simple.
Lose 10 lbs.
Make better use of my time.
Organize living space.
Blog more.
ABC, a Chihuahua on Prozac? My mind cannot contain the concept!
And what have you got against high fructose corn syrup? It made me what I am! Maybe Buster would like some…
Nathan Bransford Anonymous, Mira? Sign me up! I promise I won't mention basketball. Indeed, we are powerless over Nathan…
Bryan, you don't have to invent a cloning machine. Just borrow Nathan's.
Anonymous 1:36 pm, Bransfordians? As distinct from Bransforumites or Sommer Leigh's Bransforumers? Heretics! Only we Bransforumites are the true worshippers of The Great Orange One!
G, everybody's butt is bald. What's the problem?
Anonymous 3:44 pm, Buster is Mexican. He wants California back.
To stop overwriting headlines – you don't need the "You tell me?" if you're asking "What are your new year's resolutions?"
😉
First: I'm going to link to this post on my blog, where you can read about my thoughts on New Year's Resolutions.
Patrick, you might like this book, by Steve Hely:
How I Became A Famous Novelist. In fact, your comment could be part of the jacket flap.
Now I am going to have a meeting with Mr. Burrito (sans sour cream), check my tire pressure and build a trebuchet.
Thanks for the inspiration, guys!! Happy New Year!
Nathan,
Do you know The Quit? They're an up and coming band from Seattle. New CD is Stars Invisible by Day.
I am resolved to watch my posture (can be taken several ways).
Biggest resolution is to stop obessing with my writing deadlines. I alway set a unrealist deadlines (e.g. finishing this blasted novel by xyz) and never make it. The result is beating myself over the head and coming down with a severe case of the "crazies." Instead, I am going to enjoy the creative journey and stop agonizing over when the journey will end.
You have some great goals, Nathan! I especially like the last one about having harmony in your relationships. 🙂
My goals include MilWordy (writing one million words this year), reading 24 books in a year, and being more patient.
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
I have only one resolution:
1280×1024.
Anything higher makes things too hard to read.
New band…Levi Ware. Just got 2nd place in 7-11 Slurpee Battle of Bands (online competition) and has a cool mellow sound.
Thanks Mira. Bransformers=sweet.
I'm running a little late, sorry.
Goals for 2011? I've got a few!
– Finish a first draft of my novel
– Post 300 articles / reviews to my website
– Work out for at least an hour a day, 5 days a week
– Go 100% vegan
– Experiment with a no soap / no shampoo regime for at least a month.
Of course, all those goals seem horribly generic when viewed from the outside. Well, maybe apart from the soap one. Maybe I should have put something in there about parachuting.
At the top of my resolutions list is to become published.
My favorite of yours: happy dog 🙂
#1 Love my students (no matter how they act)
#2 Be more grateful (even when I'm doing the dishes)
#3 Master pull-ups (the exercise, not the underwear)
Now I've told the world, so I must accomplish all three.
Nathan, would you judge me if resolved to ask more questions?
I'm going to update my resolutions to include one very important goal: stay at least 100 feet away from the dude who is trying to maintain a no-soap-or-shampoo regime for at least a month.
Write every day.
Volunteer every month.
Do something unexpected for my husband every week.
Listen better.
Dream bigger.