Committed this Year

By C.L. Beck
© 2008

Every year my author friends make New Year’s goals. Those are good ones, I’ll think as I read their lists. I should make the same resolutions.

But, I don’t. Why? Because I’m committed to making commitments I can keep. So here’s my list of goals for 2008:

I will write at least once this year—preferably by Jan. 1, so that I don’t procrastinate and end up doing it at the end of the year. When nothing shows up on my blank, white paper, I will go into the kitchen and eat that three-week-old, green, Christmas tree sugar cookie I was saving for emergencies.

I will send goal number one out to a publisher by February 30. When that doesn’t happen, I’ll mail half of my Christmas tree sugar cookie to the Salt Lake Tribune.

I will use my spell cheque moor.

I will read the book, Don Quixote, in the original Spanish. When that doesn’t happen, I will try to read the Spanish label on my catsup bottle. When that doesn’t happen, I’ll settle for watching Speedy Gonzales.

I will sharpen all my pencils. When that doesn’t happen, I will gnaw a point onto one pencil while searching for a pen.

I will re-read my list of goals daily. When that doesn’t happen, I will re-read them weekly. When that doesn’t happen, I'll use my computer mouse to bang holes in the list.

So, there you have it—goals that I’m certain I can accomplish. And I don’t know what goals you have in mind for this year, but if you’re having trouble coming up with a list, I’ll be glad to help—as soon as I gnaw a point onto my pencil.


What books C.L. recommends:
Life is Like Riding a Unicycle by Shirley Bahlmann
Publishing Secrets by LDS Storymakers (BJ Rowley and others)
Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic Nonfiction by Jon Franklin
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Rennie Browne & Dave King

View C.L.’s other work:
Newspaper Column
Photography Website