Twelve days have passed since the beginning of the New Year. Statistically speaking, most of you have already succumbed to the temptations you have vehemently been avoiding. The goals may have been unattainable from the start, or maybe your interest has waned. Some of you may still be going strong, gaining ground and achieving the goals you have set.
This year, my goals are to become published and to become a better writer. At the end of October, I submitted one of my short stories to several literary magazines. Only six have of them have responded, and those have been rejections. I believe in my story, though, and know it will find a home if I keep working at it. I will continue sending out submissions. I will be published by the end of 2012.
I don’t believe that you ever stop growing as a writer… unless you stop writing. I stopped posting blogs about a month and a half ago. A lot of it had to do with the overwhelming stress of the holidays. Some of it had to do with my inability to come up with new topics.
I still wasn’t quite sure what I wanted my blog to focus on. I recently realized that it needed to continue focusing on my two passions – reading and writing. I have finally come up with a plan. I will begin posting two blogs a week. One post will be a general post, covering any number of topics pertaining to reading or writing. The second post will solely focus on books I am currently reading. My reading list includes mostly classics and canonized works. I’ve always loved older books. While reading you learn about structure and characters and literary elements. They are books that contain models so many authors have copied since. Each contains a lesson to be learned.
Tonight, I will begin reading John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. I’m not sure what I will read after this book. What do you think? What classic is your favorite? Which book would you like to see reviewed and discussed?
Excellent goals Christina! I have a multi-published author friend who, at 55, has made it his goal to rediscover the classics. Like Him, I wonder if I wouldn't more appreciate some of those works forced on us in high school and college with time and maturity to read them again. Can't say I love Steinbeck but think I will take this as challenge to read him again. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi, Christina. I'm a new follower. I found you through Writer's Digest. It's nice to meet you. Good luck with your goal of getting published this year. I loved Of Mice and Men. I also loved Anna Karenina. But my favorite classic is The Great Gatsby.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll stop by my blog sometime. http://kellyhashway.blogspot.com
Hey Tina, Ever thought of writing some short little stories to share with us on here. It could ever be some poems or some outlines to stories you would like to write, and then we could give you some feedback. Just a thought!!! Love your goals for the year and know you can achieve them! miss you and love you!
ReplyDeleteI would suggest you read some Edgar Allen Poe. He has some great short stories that encourage discussion. :) Love me some Poe!
ReplyDeleteThe holidays were sure something, weren't they! For me, it's been harder since the 1st to meet my goals, because I went back to work. But, I just keep going, like you said. No need to throw out the goal just because I miss it once, right? :)
ReplyDeleteI love Steinbeck's East of Eden.
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of blogging, I think, is that you can write about whatever you want - character development, plotlines, querying and so on.
It's never easy - I work full time too - but we make it work somehow :-)
Hi Christina, when I was a young man, I liked reading Jack London. "The Call of the Wild", and "White Fang", along with some of his short stories I read in school. I guess, at the time, the whole man, (or animal), against the odds was attractive to me. I would also recommend, East of Eden.
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