A Fresh Start
Ahhhhhh . . . nothing is better than a fresh start, whether it be the clean pages of a new journal, the open rooms of a new house, or the promise of a new year. Whether you take the time to actually write resolutions or not, you probably give at least a cursory thought to reviewing the year that has passed and think about what you would like to accomplish in the coming year.
For me, 2008 was a year of change. Most significant was that I took a position with a major university. I now have a job that I love. The people I work with are great (both intelligent and personable!), the work is (generally) interesting, and my physical surroundings are pleasant. I feel very fortunate to be in such a position. I redid the spare bedroom in our house to create a home office, which we usually refer to as the scrap room. It is my refuge, and I love it. The combination of bright blue walls and white organizing cubes (and funky letters that spell out C-R-E-A-T-E above the window) is both calming and energizing, and the books that surround me remind me of what I can accomplish. My laptop and shelves of reference books are always easy to access. The gentle bubbling of my indoor fountain and the aroma of whatever candle I am burning help stimulate my senses.
With my writing, there were a few things that happened in 2008 that are worth mentioning. My short story The Train Yard was published inThe Storyteller, and took first place in their People's Choice award. My critique group formed as an offshoot of the local writing group. We meet every other Saturday to critique each others work and, perhaps more importantly, to talk and encourage each other. My writing is evolving as I hear their questions and comments and suggestions. I also went to Ozark Creative Writers with my critique buddies. That was a fantastic weekend - the closest thing I had to a vacation this year. I walked away with awards, an invitation to submit a synopsis to an editor, and a sense that success in writing is a real possibility for me and my fellow critters.
As for looking forward into 2009, my resolutions are simple this year:
1. I will incorporate the lessons of Flylady into my life again.
2. I will use organizing/planning solutions other than Franklin Covey to find something that fits my life better. I'm starting with a PDA Hipster, which I used during NaNo successfully.
3. I will do something every day that is healthy for me, whether it be diet or exercise.
4. I will do something every week to further my writing.
So, that's 2008 in review, and an idea of what I hope to accomplish in 2009. Now, I'm going to go watch football!
Happy resolving,
Elle
For me, 2008 was a year of change. Most significant was that I took a position with a major university. I now have a job that I love. The people I work with are great (both intelligent and personable!), the work is (generally) interesting, and my physical surroundings are pleasant. I feel very fortunate to be in such a position. I redid the spare bedroom in our house to create a home office, which we usually refer to as the scrap room. It is my refuge, and I love it. The combination of bright blue walls and white organizing cubes (and funky letters that spell out C-R-E-A-T-E above the window) is both calming and energizing, and the books that surround me remind me of what I can accomplish. My laptop and shelves of reference books are always easy to access. The gentle bubbling of my indoor fountain and the aroma of whatever candle I am burning help stimulate my senses.
With my writing, there were a few things that happened in 2008 that are worth mentioning. My short story The Train Yard was published inThe Storyteller, and took first place in their People's Choice award. My critique group formed as an offshoot of the local writing group. We meet every other Saturday to critique each others work and, perhaps more importantly, to talk and encourage each other. My writing is evolving as I hear their questions and comments and suggestions. I also went to Ozark Creative Writers with my critique buddies. That was a fantastic weekend - the closest thing I had to a vacation this year. I walked away with awards, an invitation to submit a synopsis to an editor, and a sense that success in writing is a real possibility for me and my fellow critters.
As for looking forward into 2009, my resolutions are simple this year:
1. I will incorporate the lessons of Flylady into my life again.
2. I will use organizing/planning solutions other than Franklin Covey to find something that fits my life better. I'm starting with a PDA Hipster, which I used during NaNo successfully.
3. I will do something every day that is healthy for me, whether it be diet or exercise.
4. I will do something every week to further my writing.
So, that's 2008 in review, and an idea of what I hope to accomplish in 2009. Now, I'm going to go watch football!
Happy resolving,
Elle
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