Happy New Year, everyone!

As we start the year, many of us make resolutions.  Some of my writing buddies and I have been talking about that.  Much of what we want to achieve in writing, though, is outside of our control.  Life is like that, too.  We can control the processes–how much we write, eat or exercise–but can’t guarantee results.  So I’m going with plans this year instead of resolutions.  I’ll make changes, check myself every week to see if I’m doing what I can to improve my processes, and see what ensues.

My biggest project for this year is to de-clutter the house.  This will challenge me because I have to get rid of books.  The house has long since surpassed its capacity, and it will never be truly tidy as long as books are stacked in so many places.  I’ll also have to get rid of various papers I kept in case I ever needed them again.  Lucky for me, I’m married to someone who loves to throw things out.  By the first of the summer, I hope, we’ll be in much better shape.

Meanwhile, I’m blogging with the Romance Bandits, as usual.  Jon Land joined us yesterday to discuss his new non-fiction book Betrayal, from Forge Books, and I’m hosting Barbara Monajem on the 16th to chat about short fiction and her new release from Harlequin Undone, “The Unrepentant Rake.”  My regular day, the 26th, will be busy for me because I’m doing my regular blog in addition to guesting on the Healthy Writer site about those changes I mentioned above.   I hope you’ll stop by on those days and check out the posts.

I also hope 2012 is off to a great start for you!  Thanks for stopping by.

Working for Change Filed in: Blog
JAN 4 2012 12:52 pm	It’s that time of year again, the time when making resolutions is so very tempting.  As I noted on the homepage, though, I’m not making resolutions this year.  I’m making plans, focusing on the process instead of on results I don’t control.  De-cluttering is at the top of the list.  Right below it is returning to the healthier lifestyle I once observed. I’ve already started by eating fewer sweets, drinking more water, and having salads instead of sandwiches for lunch.  I also cut way back on salad dressing.  A taste is plenty.  The dressing doesn’t have to be on every particle of the salad.  I’m also blogging on The Healthy Writer once a month about my progress.  Or, if it works out that way, my lack thereof.  This is my form of accountability. I’m also starting a new writing project and setting weekly goals for myself on that.  Because I love research, I need to build in time for that, which may mean not writing every day.  I’ve never been a daily writer, though.  I like having percolating time, letting ideas simmer while I do other things.  I generally find I produce more pages when I do sit down at the computer if I’ve done that “pre-writing” first. I made decent headway with whittling the TBR pile.  In December, I read more books than I bought.  I plan to keep that up this year. How is your new year starting?  Are you making resolutions or plans, or are you just winging it?  How’s your RBR pile? No Comments