Onwards to the Future
Welcome to 2012! This will be the year you finally hold onto and accomplish all of your resolutions right? Right! As you know, every New Years I go over my old resolutions and make new ones to try and tackle. This year is no exception! But first lets take a look back at 2011, a blockbuster year in terms of accomplishments.
I came to the end of 2011 gasping for breath. I was tired, and suffering from a touch of melancholy. Somehow I came to the conclusion that 2011 was a failure, all because of a few minor missteps taken at the end. However the clouds can't hide the mountain forever! In 2011 I did so very much! I finished the second of my book projects. Added new functionality to this site. And traveled throughout Korea and Japan. I am healthier now than when I started the year, and know how to edit video on an entirely new platform (that's Final Cut and Motion for those wondering). None of these were easy, nor were they small feats by any stretch of the imagination. Looking back I am very happy with how 2011 turned out, but that's so last year! This is 2012!
So, according to the Mayan calendar we are all going to die before the end of the year is up. This means that all of my goals for the year should be done in the first six months, this way I can just enjoy the end when it comes. Just kidding! However talk of the end of the world always seems to take on a spiritual tone and my own faith will be a major focus this year. Usually I avoid speaking of it much here because well, this site is for everyone. However my faith is plain to see right below the surface of the words, if you are willing to look. That won't change much, but I will be taking action in other areas of my life. I don't know where those actions will take me, but my faith in Christ and learning to swallow my own pride, and following His will will become a major driving force this year. This also means that the rest of this list is subject to change, because the best way to make God laugh is to tell Him your plans. That said lets look at some of the other items on this years agenda.
As always the top of the list is a writing project! My third book project will be a single story, one completely separate from the series I have been constructing for the past five years. The other two “completed” projects are part of an ongoing story, but I am finding that other worlds are calling me too. Other stories are waiting that could potentially get published if done skillfully enough. This years story is a science fiction story, which has been called “The Pit” until I can find a more suitable name. It has been floating around in the wings for a while now but i've never really paid it enough attention. Right now though, I have a LOT of work to do on it before I can start the actual story itself. It should get off the ground before summer hits, until then I have world building to get to and characters to flesh out, as well as nailing down what plot elements I want to keep. This world building should tie in nicely with my second goal though.
About halfway through last year, I had begun learning my new editing programs, and work was taking its toll on my creativity. This meant that my reading group was getting my leftovers. This wonderful group of people was taking the time out of their days to read my stories and provide feedback, but I wasn't giving them my all. So I put the group on hiatus so I could focus on other things for my trip to Asia. This year I want to bring back the group. As I draw closer to going full bore on my next project I should begin amassing a collection of backstories, myths and events that I can start feeding them to critique. Eventually it's this group that gets to read my books first, so those of you that want in on the fun can drop me an email and I will add you.
Now 2011 was also a very expensive year. A bevy of new exercise routines and equipment, a new (awesome) camera, a new laptop, and a trip to Korea; do wonders to empty a bank account and drive up credit card bills. With discipline I should be able to pay it all off, but only if I am diligent with my resources and time. So we can add that to the pile of personal goals, such as working out more, and waking up on time more often.
Now I also want to make a commitment, to you my faithful readers. Yes you! As you know I post these missives every Sunday night. What you may not know, is that these are hastily constructed notes, often shot off without proofreading or anything other than a basic spell check. I want to change that. I don't want these to be a series of last minute shots in the dark, I want you guys to be able to get something out of them, aside from poor grammar. So hopefully things will be a bit more professional around here.
So that's the plan! While it may not be as flashy as the previous year I am excited for what's to come. I was going to say that this is a year of recovery, but looking at it I see it is not. This is a building year. A year of laying foundations, a year of preparing for new adventures that I haven’t even thought of yet. I am ready for what the New Year will bring, and hopefully you are excited about what 2012 will bring to your life as well. As always, keep dreaming and chasing your goals, and here's to a wonderful new year!
~Sayonara
