I won’t bother anyone with my perennial New Year’s Resolutions (lose weight, clear away household clutter, be a nicer person, etc.), but I thought it might be useful–if only to myself–to set forth some writing resolutions. Call them goals. Call them: To Do List 2016.
- Blog More, Blog Better. I plan to post a thoughtful blog piece at least once a week. I’d like to think someone reads this stuff; all I have to do is set aside a couple of hours each week. (This will include my reading journal and, maybe, the return of New Yorker story commentaries.)
- Finish revisions to novel and send back to agent. (My agent made great comments and all I have to do is make them work on the page.)
- Select and edit the stories for the second volume of my anthology series, Everywhere Stories. Submissions are now closed, so all I have to do is read them all.
- Write a second draft of the new novel. For that, all I have to do is go to Singapore for a week or two for research, and dedicate several months to the writing.
- Look for more opportunities for reading and public speaking. I actually enjoy doing this, and unlike teaching there are no papers to grade! Need someone for your reading series? Need a speaker? I’m your man.
- Spruce up the website. I made some changes last year, but I need to do more. Which means, all I have to do is relearn WordPress and sit down at the computer to get it done.
I’m sure I’ll think of more, but this should keep me busy for most of the year.
These are excellent resolutions that combine the quiet, work intensive goals with the public part of being a writer admirably. Happy New Year!