Fairy Revel

I finally found a WordPress theme I can live with until I have time to really sit down and create my own. I may even tinker with this one when the time comes. I like the clean, “literary” feel of this one.

After a long break and some contemplation, I’ve decided to keep this blog a blog, maybe leaning toward the artistic journal sort of thing. I’ve refined my goals, and I’m going to make this journal part of my plan to reach them. I’ll be writing more essays about what I’m reading, and fantastic literature in general, and talking more about my other interests as well, because those are things that energize me and fuel my writing creativity.

One thing I’ve definitely decided is not to write anymore posts like this one. I intend to write more actual content, instead of just general, oops-I-haven’t-posted-in-forever updates.

With Gingko, my current work-in-progress, I think I’ve finally figured out my writing process. The novel survived the detailed outline stage, which I think may be a first. I’ll do a more detailed post on my process (as it stands so far) some time next week, but for now I’ll just say that it feels so good to have a process that actually gets me somewhere. It still remains to be seen whether I can get a finished, revisable novel out of what I have so far, but the outlook is good.

I’ve also been reading Booklife by Jeff Vandermeer, which couldn’t have arrived in my own booklife at a better time. It’s inspired me to look closely at how I balance online activities with the creative process, and is in part responsible for my decision to continue the blog. I look forward to sharing more about what Jeff Vandermeer has to say in his book and my thoughts on it in the near future.

A quick note on my current reading: Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card, the first book I’ve really read of his (Hart’s Hope did not go so well for me), which is keeping me as glued to the page as I can be with the holiday get-togethers and such going on this time of year. Japanese Tales, translated by Royall Tyler, a collection of Nara-era fairy tales (slowly getting through the very interesting intro). Booklife by Jeff Vandermeer. The Complete Sherlock Holmes, as always. Waiting for The Bards of Bone Plain by Patricia A. McKillip (come on, FedEx!)

I’m hoping for a lot of time to read this Winter, and a lot of good snow-storms to read by.

“God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December.” – J. M. Barrie

At the beginning of each year, I wonder whether it’s wise to set these goals, or if it’s even important. I think about skipping this step every year, and this year is no exception. This morning, though, I realized that I finally met a long-term goal of mine in 2009: I wrote a novel. It’s a NaNoWriMo novel, hardly what you could call “complete”, but it has a beginning, middle and end and has a main story arc. I’ve finally done it! So this year, I’m going to keep setting goals and keep trying to reach for them.

Writing Goals

• Revise Dogwood, my 2009 NaNoWriMo novel.
• Write another novel.
• Write a short story and submit it for publication.

Reading Goals

• Read 50 books (every year I participate in the 50 Book Challenge; year before last I read about a dozen, in 2009 I read 27, so I’m getting there!)
• Read 20 books off my list for 100 Project.
• Conquer my own bookshelves! I’d like to put a big dent in the unread books I own.

That’s all for reading goals. I’m trying to avoid any challenges involving specific authors, series or similar since usually end up regretting them. I’m also not hosting any challenges other than 100 Project, because every time I do, the blog I host it at dies a sudden death! Though I’m sure I’ll try again in the future . . . but not right now.

Personal Goals

• Learn to make madeleines.
• Develop a homekeeping routine.
• Learn wirework jewelry making.
• Keep working on bellydance.

I have more personal goals I could list, but I think I’d better keep it reasonable. If I get to other stuff, all the better. Those are the definites.