Joyous day after Christmas. Happy Kwanzaa. Merry Boxing Day. And my best for whatever you may be celebrating. My thoughts are on the new year and the tradition of making resolutions (and breaking them). I was wondering what writing resolutions you all have. Are you setting goals for yourself or hoping random inspiration strikes? Do you have a new project you'd like to tackle in 2003, or an old one you'd like to complete? Or, easier perhaps, what goals did you set in 2002 - were you able to achieve them or are you going to try the same ones in 2003. Just focusing on goals related to writing here, of course. Just being nosey. Sometimes goal setting works for me. Other times life interferes and the best laid plans blow up and shatter into unretrievable pieces. It is interesting to hear how other people set their writing course.

Oh, yes, I know not every one is celebrating new year's the same day I am...it isn't the actual day that is important, in this case, but your writing goals for the next year that I am interested in hearing about ... for no good reason than I am trying to make some decisions about how I want to focus my time and finding out what other people do sometimes helps to inspire me (or bring me to reality).

More letter's of acceptance and less pinks. Culling all my children together and posting them on my own web page and totally rebelling against dust on my keyboard. The bug is back, the ink in my veins cries for a leech.

Hey, if you're getting pinks, then that means you are actually submitting, and that's great! Keep at it. I too have the bug again, and need to spend more time actaully writing and less time browsing the net. And I plan to submit my first novel, if not before the first of the year, then shortly thereafter. jon

Jon, that's great! I knew you had a book in the works but I didn't remember how close you are to making the publishing rounds with it. I sure will be directing all good thoughts toward those circulating manuscripts out there. :)

Two words: make money. Now that I have toiled and sweated to create my masterpiece, now it's time to sell sell sell! ;-) Anthony H.

LOL! Making money would be a nice change for some of us. The only way it will happen for me is if I get a better printer for my computer (kidding, Federal Agents, just kidding).

An OT anecdote: Actually that might not be necessary. A cafeteria worker at the school a friend of mine works at accepted a photocopy of a dollar bill colored in with a chartreuse felt pen. My friend (who counts the lunch money) found the none too realistic bill ...she said it really stood out from the rest because of its somewhat neon shading.

I love hearing that we may have mulitple publishings by forum members.

My sincere best wishes to you in the new year. :)

To get a polished work done by the end of the year. I have a nearly done first draft of a trilogy and 3 partial books, plus a slew of possible stories. (And to have the energy and focus to make this happen.)

Crescent - I'd advise you concentrate on Book One of that trilogy and get it out the door. You can polish Book Two while waiting to hear back on Book One. At the last Con I went to I asked specifically if I should include a couple of sample chapters for the sequel of my first novel, to let the publishers know that there was more than one book in me. I got a universal NO from the panel of authors. They said send in the first novel, and if you get a nibble you can always tell them you have sequels in the works. They also said that each book (of a trilogy, or any series) should be a stand alone story, with its own beginning, middle and end, that reads well on its own merits. Anyway, I just think you should try to get #1 done and out the door, and not wait to finish the other two. Good luck! jon

Attached Link: http://www.how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolution.com/html/background.html

*Who Invented New Year's Resolutions?? [snip] The Babylonians celebrated New Years Day over four thousand years ago, although their celebration was in March rather than in January, coinciding with the spring planting of crops. [snip] Resolutions are a reflection of the Babylonians' belief that what a person does on the first day of the New Year will have an effect throughout the entire year.*

Attached Link: http://www.fablevision.com/newyear/

You should know, first, that I am crazy about the good people at Fablevision....they provide wonderful, positive role models for children and generously share of themselves. So, with that bias noted, I share with you something they are introducing this year. You can think it is silly but take a look and time for a thought before you dismiss their suggestions as childish. Sometimes taking a step back into a simpler time and place helps but these hectic times into perspective. Have fun or ignore. Either is fine with me. *For several years now, Ive been asking brother Peter to create a blueprint for a NORTH STAR New Years Eve a way we can help people stop for a just a moment before all the wild, crazy year-end parties breathe deeply and ponder how to navigate a meaningful new year. Well the waitings over! Check out this link for our first edition of THE DO-IT-YOURSELF-NEW-YEARS-EVE CELEBRATION! http://www.fablevision.com/newyear/ This is the PERFECT time for to ask Where have I been? Where am I now? Where am I going? And most importantly where do I WANT to be going?* [message from Paul Reynolds, Peter's twin brother]