Saturday, January 2, 2010
New Year, New Resolutions
It's that time of year again: time to declare what you will be doing this year. I will be doing more writing, of course, or at least better writing; and hitting the gym. Maybe I can get this guy to be my personal trainer, what do you think?
Except he looks like he's a Taskmaster about that ab machine, and come Sunday morning, I'm more inclined to be hanging out with this fellow:
I like to delude myself that even if I was only getting a workout in bed, eventually all that exercise would be worthwhile. Maybe even enough to make me look like:
No?
I do love that corset though. Frederick's of Hollywood has a Dream Corset for $60 and it's a gorgeous looking thing...looks a lot like the one pictured above, except I would not look like that in it.
While I'm writing, I find it is important to have musical influences near me.
But no to Rob Pattinson singing though. I mean, sometimes it's okay, but a lot of the time he just sounds like a dying cat trapped in a burlap sack. Stick to the tried and trues for musical inspirations when writing. George Strait. Gary Allan. The Beatles. Bryan Adams. Green Day. Disturbed.
When planning New Year's Resolutions, pick overall goals you can break down into doable minigoals. Like you want to be healthier this year (see above pictures), but your minigoals are going to the gym X times a week and eating more vegetables. (We're so not eating enough veggies.) You want to get published or finish a manuscript--great, so your minigoal is to write so many pages a day or do so many hours of plotting/planning.
The most important thing about making a resolution is giving yourself a reward for sticking with it. For instance, for every month you stick to your writing goals, you can treat yourself to a movie. And you can spend two hours admiring this:
And wouldn't look at something as pretty as that for two hours be justful award for blood-sweat-and-tearing over your latest manuscript? Maybe not. Throw in an Icee too. You deserve it.
What resolutions have you made this year? What rewards will you be giving yourself to help you stick with your goals?
Except he looks like he's a Taskmaster about that ab machine, and come Sunday morning, I'm more inclined to be hanging out with this fellow:
I like to delude myself that even if I was only getting a workout in bed, eventually all that exercise would be worthwhile. Maybe even enough to make me look like:
No?
I do love that corset though. Frederick's of Hollywood has a Dream Corset for $60 and it's a gorgeous looking thing...looks a lot like the one pictured above, except I would not look like that in it.
While I'm writing, I find it is important to have musical influences near me.
But no to Rob Pattinson singing though. I mean, sometimes it's okay, but a lot of the time he just sounds like a dying cat trapped in a burlap sack. Stick to the tried and trues for musical inspirations when writing. George Strait. Gary Allan. The Beatles. Bryan Adams. Green Day. Disturbed.
When planning New Year's Resolutions, pick overall goals you can break down into doable minigoals. Like you want to be healthier this year (see above pictures), but your minigoals are going to the gym X times a week and eating more vegetables. (We're so not eating enough veggies.) You want to get published or finish a manuscript--great, so your minigoal is to write so many pages a day or do so many hours of plotting/planning.
The most important thing about making a resolution is giving yourself a reward for sticking with it. For instance, for every month you stick to your writing goals, you can treat yourself to a movie. And you can spend two hours admiring this:
And wouldn't look at something as pretty as that for two hours be justful award for blood-sweat-and-tearing over your latest manuscript? Maybe not. Throw in an Icee too. You deserve it.
What resolutions have you made this year? What rewards will you be giving yourself to help you stick with your goals?
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17 comments:
Oh, I so feel like a cougar when I see picture like that of Taylor.
I hate resolutions! I think I said that last year too. Oh, well. The health thing is a definite. I've broke it down to strength training 3x a week, and ab crap every day. Less potatoes and rice(do I have too(:), more organic veggies.
Writing, I have one that needs major rewrites, so I put it away. I have a first draft needing revisions, and a second I'm currently revising. Once I get one polished I'll begin the query process.
I wanted to make a resolution to read each histortical on Janga's 2010 list, but dang, did y'all see that thing? I'd never find the time to write.
My last goal is in the spiritual realm.
Happy New Year!
I don't do resolutions anymore either. It always felt like I was trying to fix something that was defective, and it made me resentful!
Now I think more in terms of refocusing or recalibrating -- figuring out where I might have strayed off the path I was intending to follow, and getting back on it.
So I'm planning on enjoying things more, not fretting so much (all of which applies to life AND writing!).
I kicked off the new year reading my favorite pirate, Beauvallet, by Georgette Heyer -- so I already feel like the year is heading in the right direction!
Hmmm... resolutions. I never get this right. I always have good intentions but I don't deliver.
This year I'm setting a goal. I'd like to finish two books this year. I've been on a little bit of a slower pace than I'd like, one book a year. I'd like to pick it up.
This may be an unrealistic goal. I AM pregnant after all. This kid'll be here end of May and all good intentions might go right out the window. I'd like to finish one by then anyway. I'm going to start writing today/tomorrow. So I've got 5 months to get a book written.
I can do that, right?
:)
Other than that, I'm just hoping for more of the same. Enough money to pay the bills, health and happiness for my loved ones.
That's not too much to ask right?
Here it is, day three, and I've been giving the resolution of daily writing a lot of thought since day one. I can't commit though. My discussion with myself has been a bit like a yoyo...yes, I can, no I can't, yes, I can.
The thing is, I can't work a yoyo. I can't seem to string together two 'I cans' in a row. :) So, no resolution. And when I didn't think about it, I wrote two days in a row.
I like the reward system, but tend to reward myself first and think I'll make it up to myself later! I'm in debt to myself quite a bit. *LOL*
Not a resolution, but I've come up with a deal. I love to write my blogs, even if I'm talking mostly to hear myself talk. :) That's my reward. So, for my blog I'm going to make the deal that I can only write something I actually figured out from my story writing session that day.
I wanted to make a resolution to read each histortical on Janga’s 2010 list, but dang, did y’all see that thing?
*LOL* Yeah, that would be a great resolution. Guess you have to break it down to a doable goal of picking just a few. :)
My resolution is to finish this first one to a polished shine and at least have a complete first draft of the next by this time next year.
I also need to stop pulling on the fridge door and pulling some weights somewhere. Kiddo and I did the Dance Dance Revolution last night and it has a workout phase. If my downstairs neighbors don't kill me first, seems like a good way to get my ass moving and my heart rate up. And there's always the fitness room and the quieter pilates DVDs.
For the short term, I've been a total slug this weekend and must shower! One completed goal coming right up.
Well, I gots the clean one room a' clutter a month thing goin' fer me...
Writin' goals...I gots until the the third weekend a' the month ta revise somethin' fer a Donald Maas one day workshop I'm attendin'... Jenna wants a revised first chapter...
I gots ta write a synopsis and I gots ta finish the laptop edits (from the pencil edits ta the laptop...) Have a pitch ready fer RT...
Health? Get back ta the gym, give up fried foods until April. Eat more vegis, less bread!
And post a sweet pic a' Johnny where I can see it fer inspiration...walk the road not taken more.
Hmmm...all that food we're given up, maybe we should give it to Manly Hunk Pic #1. His pants are slipping right offa him, not that I'm complaining.
*hands him a samwich, bite by bite*
I did fail to say these are some awesome hotties. All very inspiring. Think I'll help Donna fatten up top boy there.
Donna, I love the idea of recalibrating.
Chance, I have to declutter too. I'm just trying to figure out where to put it all. I have more books than the library. I don't think I can get rid of any of them.
Terri, Dance, Dance has a workout mode, really? We just bought that for the youngest for her birthday last week. I better hide the video camera. :)
Renee - I didn't know it was on there when I bought it, but it's there. We're still figuring out how this thing works. But I like this video idea. I'll just make sure I'm the one behind the camera.
Guys, guys, you need to phrase these resolutions in a positive manner. Aim for modest goals. Be positive. Like you're going to resolve this year to make more healthy decisions. This can include going to the gym more, putting more veggies on the plate, or going to that therapist to help you deal with your critical mother. But they can also be: take the afternoon off work to do something for yourself, try something new you've always wanted to do, or have that extra peanut butter cup if you want it without being critical of yourself. All those things are healthy.
Goals about writing don't have to be about writing four books a year--they can be if you want, but they dont have to be. You can do all sorts of things that have to do with writing or being creative.
By the way, I love how Donna thinks. Instead of letting top guy work me to death on the ab machine, feed him some carbs so he's in need of an afternoon nap. Maybe me and the guy in the bed below will share...oops, different story there! Never mind!
Hellion, wow -- talk about a cliffhanger! Now we need to hear the rest of that story!
And that's why I like to think about "recalibrating" rather than "resolving" -- the last always feels like it's a grit-yer-teeth kind of thing. But if I think more along the lines of "will this make me happy?", the choices are easier to make. I don't think it's all about sacrifice. I think we're entitled to self-care. :)
Okay, enough about me. LOL I need to make another samwich!
Exactly. What will make me happy? Always a good guide to live by.
OK, yer right. I resolve to enjoy the sun on me face more often. And reward meself wit' a drive ta Monterey once a month jus' ta walk along the scenic trail near Pacific Grove...though I get ta shop while I'm there, too!
Reward meself fer what I'm not sure of, yet. Maybe fer enjoyin' the sun on me face...
It's a win/win situation!
Hmm...My personal resolutions include taking off the 15 pds I've put on over the last few years and keeping in touch with friends more.
In my writing life, my resolution is the same as it has been this year...just write! I'm so happy to have gotten a start on my first manuscript and my goal this year is to finish it and edit it.
Chance - Please let us know how you like the Donald Maas workshop. I've checked them out, but hadn't decided on doing one yet.
Happy New Year Pirates!
I've already promised Terrio a blog on the workshop, so I'll take good notes and let all know how it goes!
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