New Year, New Goals?

I don't believe in new year's resolutions. They always start out good but quickly fade away to nothing. Do you know anyone who has kept even one of his or her resolutions throughout the entire year?? This is why I don't plan to wait until the new year to set some goals. Since this is my 'story' blog I'll post my writing goals here (may as well). Maybe then I'll actually do some of them?

In my last post I mentioned finishing a book by the end of the year. Wellll, we know that isn't going to happen, now is it? I know the NaNoWriMo people would say 'YES' it can be done, but you know what they say about those crazy writers who actually try to finish a novel in a month (much less two weeks), right? Nevermind that I attempted that same competition this year only to fail (again) miserably. I can't seem to convince myself to spend much of my days (or nights) writing about stuff that will invariably end up as crap. I'm not being a pessimist, I'm being a realist here because very few people produce stellar work on their first try. I know, I know, to get good you have to start and more often than not you will start badly. But still.

So, what's my point then if I've already set my self up to fail? I will try, I just have to start smaller. That way it won't feel as if the crappy writing wasted too much of my time.

I've bought quite a few books on writing since July. I started out with "Writing For Quick Cash" (don't laugh), then I got "Characters & Viewpoint" (excellent book), "Writing a Novel" (not finished reading it yet), "The Elements of Style" (the Strunk and White writer's bible), "Story Structure Architect (not finished this one yet either), and "The 3 A.M. Epiphany" (a book chalk full of interesting exercises to spice up your writing and get those creative juices flowing). I also found "Simon & Schuster's Handbook for Writers" last week in one of my book boxes . Haven't had a chance to look through it yet though. And we can't forget reading good novels themselves, which I've done a lot of since July too (actually I've always been a good reader).

So, you see, I have no shortage of material to help me write. What are my plans then, you ask. Hmm, I think (and this has always been one of my problems - I think too much and have trouble choosing one of many) I'll do some of the exercises in the epiphany book and post them here. Once I've done, say, ten exercises then I'll reevaluate and determine my next step.

Purpose

There is no inherent poetic reason why I want to write books. Yes, I said books - plural. I could talk about grand ideas of changing the world by publishing thought-provoking, paradigm-shifting books, but that is not what moves me to write. I want, rather, to focus on one person at a time. There is something magical about lifting words from a page and creating a world in your mind. I have always enjoyed this form of escape from the real world and it is this that I want to offer my readers. Reading is the least expensive form of travel but it is no way limiting. I want to give people the opportunity to get away. Of course, I also want to offer them new views of the world, helping to open their eyes to different perspectives. It would be a blessing to positively affect even one person in this way. I want to do for others what so many have done for me.

I want to publish at least two fictional novels. I don't necessarily want to be recognized as one of the great writers of our time, but I wouldn't shy away from it if that title was bestowed on me.

I do want lots of people to read my work. As they read I want them to be swept away, to get lost in the words and forget that they are even reading. I want them to recommend my books to others. I want to see my books in libraries and bookstores around the world.

I want to write works that my children would be proud of.

I want to write works that my church would not frown on.

My first goal is to complete a book before the end of the year 2006. From now that gives me five months. It may be daunting but it is in no way impossible.