Monday, January 07, 2008

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

6 comments:

Marsha Ward said...

I love your list. I'll make one for myself, as soon as I . . . uh . . . hmmm . . . ooooh, shiny!

(distractedly, Marsha)

Keith N Fisher said...

Ha ha ha, as always, very good. thanks for the laugh

Autumn Ables said...

Hi! :) I'm browsing over to your from Trisit's Challenges. I 'm participating in the BIAM #2 {as well as the first one} and wanted to welcome you aboard.

I enjoyed reading your list of I WILL...

Good luck and happy typing. ;)

Cindy Beck, author said...

Marsha,
Thanks for stopping by and reading. Glad you enjoyed the list. I'll be watching for yours over at Writer in the Pines! http://marshaward.blogspot.com/

That is, if you're not too distracted to make one. Ha ha :)

Cindy Beck, author said...

Keith,
Thanks for reading and commenting. Glad you got a laugh out of it.

And you think I'm kidding with that list? :)

Cindy Beck, author said...

Ajoy,
Thanks so much for stopping by to read and for commenting. Good luck on your BIAM. Hope you get a great book out of it!