The New Year is upon us and I find myself lost in the usual reflections of the past and future. 2009 was a good year for me. I caught my first fish, after far too many years of fishing. I found a direction in my life and determined with utmost confidence that which I plan to devote my life to. The man I love showed up at the church and unbelievably stuck around to marry me. I moved into a house and out of the burnt, flooded, bug infested apartment I was living in. Can I complain? No, not so much.

I have never been much for New Years Resolutions. I know myself far too well to think that a sudden surge of determination to lose 15 lbs or do the dishes right after dinner everyday is ever going to last more than a week into the New Year. In keeping with that knowledge I have decided on something that is much more easily accomplished. Two goals, both of which I can easily succeed in.

The first involves writing. Please see the following link from Inkygirl (@inkyelbows). She has posted a challenge which I fully intend to succeed in.
http://bit.ly/write500

The goal is simply writing. Everyday. I am going to start with the 500 words a day, because more than anything, I tend to get distracted by the daily rigors of life. 500 words is something I can scribble down in a short period of time and contains little of the stress of NaNoWriMo. NaNo was great for me, for the first time I found myself writing daily, pushing myself to greater heights. With beautiful success.
I completed it, much to my surprise. Of course the story won’t be heading off to an agent anytime soon but I can at least tell myself “I did it!” and feel proud.
I have missed that drive this last month. I don’t miss the sleepless nights, but I miss seeing my story forming and growing with great speed.

So this is what I am going to do. My personal goal for 2010, inspired by none other than Inkygirl.

I am going to forget about the state that the Publishing Industry is in. I’m going to stop worrying that there is no place for me in the evolving writing world. I am going to improve my writing and work on the masterpiece that will wow the world. I shall settle for nothing less of course, how can I when it is my life’s one great ambition?

I am ready. I am prepared. I have a new netbook and a pen with an “until you are cold in your grave” warranty.

[tangent: You know the phrase “just rolled off the tip of my tongue”? Well let me tell you something, having words roll off the tip of a pen is so much more satisfying than that. It is a possibility, I promise. With my new, beautiful, fountain pen, they do exactly that. Once upon a time I would get cramps in my fingers from my habit of pressing down far too hard on the paper. No more. I am in love. Best Christmas present ever. /tangent]

Thus we move on to my second goal. It too is a simple one. Unpack.

And that is all.

When I begin, and succeed with the writing, I will let the world know by posting the badge from Inkygirl on this blog. Thereby showing my devotion to the masses. If you do not see it appear after the New Year, feel free to throw rotten tomatoes.

Last but not least, Have yourself a Happy New Year!