Saturday, December 31, 2011

Stepping through the portal

I’m talking to you, 2012! I've got a little wish list.

It’s not that I'm asking to be like a giant, regal swan in a lake teaming with common coots and ducks and cormorants. (Um, yes, I was walking with a friend when the swan appeared, and I couldn't resist this stretch. After all, swans symbolize intuition, creativity and light,) And, not to disparage swan behavior, I wouldn’t fling lesser beings aside on the way to the feeding trough. (Ack. Yes, they do that.)

But, sigh. I wouldn’t mind a little adoration and crumb tossing. Just a tad. You know, an agent loves my story. An editor loves my story. The marketing department loves my story. The public loves my story. Hollywood loves my story.

Is that too much to ask?

I suppose it is since I’ve yet to finish said story.

So, 2012 Goal, The First:

Finish writing and editing my darkly funny fairy tale! I mean, really, enough already. I need to send it toddling out into the world and see if anyone wants to fuss over it, put a pretty cover on it and shout out its wonders.
To reach goal No.1, I am going to go away for a week in January with nothing but my manuscript to do some serious final revisions.

As part of my 2012 writing plan, I've downloaded the coolest 365-day, one-page, free calendar called Don't Break the Chain. Inspired by Jerry Seinfeld, it is a simple way to nudge yourself to write (or anything else) every day, so you can "X" out each box. Mission accomplished day-by-day and writing moving steadily forward. Here's a link through The Writers Store.

All other goals can line up in the queue. Here's a good one--the banishment of overused, misused words, such as compiled by the “amazing” Lake Superior State University.

I wish you all a sparkling New Year, filled with adventure and goals well-met. Let’s expect the unexpected, roll with the sucker-punches, be flexible and adaptable. Who knows, some of the surprises may carry wonders.

Doesn't it feel like we step through a portal when one year rolls into the next? So much possibility. (But no ancient Mayan doomsday, thank you very much.)

One last thought, part of a quote from Neil Gaiman: "and I hope somewhere in the next year you surprise yourself."

22 comments:

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

Trish, I hope we both surprise ourselves in 2012! And thanks for the link to the chain calendar - I want that for my main 2012 goal (to lose weight for my niece's wedding in April!) Good luck with your writing goal...and I hope 2012 is the portal to a brand new cycle in your life!!

Judy, South Africa

storyqueen said...

Yes, a portal fill with hope, possibility and the unknown!

And Finish That Durn Thing!!!! How am I ever going to admire its pretty cover and plunk down my money for it if you don't hurry up and write "the end?"

*Waits impatiently*

(Yes, that sound might be me tapping my fingers on my desk...)

xoxo

Shelley

Jemi Fraser said...

I hope your wishes come true in 2012! All the best :)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Judy: *waves across a continent and ocean* Yes, a year of surprising ourselves would be terrific. I'm in!

Shelley: Eeeks, I hear a tap-tap-tapping. That alone should make me finish. Seriously, thanks for nudging. It matters. I can't wait to plunk my money down for THE SEVEN TALES OF TRINKET! (For anyone who doesn't know this is being released in 2012)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

*waves at Jemi who snuck in* Thanks, my friend, and the same to you!

Donna said...

What a wonderful New Year's message. Why shouldn't we send our wishes out to 2012, especially if we work to make them come true?

Here's to surprises ...

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Hi Donna: Who knows what surprises we may unearth by a little hard work and receptivity? Wishing you a happy and surprising New Year, my friend.

Liza said...

I know you will reach the first goal...no questions asked. I look forward to reading your tail...when it is sold, and yes, I look forward to the movie too! Happy New Year Tricia. Love the swan pics!

Yat-Yee said...

Wishing you much, much adoration from all the right people.

I too need to finish my novel. Should we try to cheer each other on?

Love the Neil Gaiman quote.

Golden Eagle said...

Good luck meeting your goals!

I was just reading Neil Gaiman's blog where he posted what he'd said at the beginning of other years. :)

I hope you have a wonderful 2012!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Liza: Ha! Thanks for the great vote of confidence.

Yat-Yee: Ha again! gotta love a little adoration. ;) Yes, let's cheer each other on. We can do it!

Eagle: Don't you just love Neil Gaiman? He says some of the coolest things.

J.B. Chicoine said...

A lot can happen in a year! Better hold onto your feathers--it could be quite a ride! Hope it's at least a fun one! :)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Hi, Bridget! Okay, got the feathers secure and good to go. :D

Yvonne Osborne said...

Thanks for the Lake Superior Univ. quote. That's my goal too: to use more simple neglected words and toss aside the tired ones. I hope you find all of this in 2012. I will be your number one cheerleader!

Happy New Year. Oh, and that quote... glass raised.

Unknown said...

Happy New Year, Tricia.

Thanks for leaving a message on my blog, by the way. Very kind of you. All the best.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Yvonne: Yeah for cheerleaders! Thanks, Yvonne. May we continue to surprise ourselves.

Wendy: Thinking of you, Wendy, and sending hugs. May the New Year treat you well.

BragonDorn said...

I love swans but when I was a small child I was chased through a public park by about 7 of them. It was terrible and up to this day I see their pretty feathers as a trap!

Wen Baragrey said...

Happy New Year, Tricia! I love Neil Gaiman's New year quotes. :) I hope you have a wonderful 2012 and get that darn book finished!

Lydia Kang said...

Good luck on your goals and Happy, Happy New Year!

Bish Denham said...

Happy New Year Tricia! Writing has become my foremost goal this year. Another one is to wear more red. :D

dolorah said...

Oh yes, some of my thoughts exactly - except about the swan, didn't know that.

Good luck with your dark fairy tale. I've started to love those.

.....dhole

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

BragonDorn: Yikes. I've heard that about geese chasing people but not swans. Stands to reason, though.

Wen: I'm trying, Wen! *sigh* I've hit a roadblock and need to figure out the detour.

Thanks, Lydia!

Bish: You'll look great in red. I can see an island flower tucked behind your ear.

Donna: I soooo want to do the fairy tale right. I love it and fear it. :)