This was from someone else's blog and I thought I'd post my answers here, so I would have them. Maybe you'll find them interesting or better, click on a link and visit Jeannine or Peter as they probably have something more interesting to say...
Goals, Dreams, and Resolutions 2007
1. Take a few minutes to reflect on the previous year. What are you happy with?
How much I've written and what I've accomplished in school. Definitely the Making of Peace broadside series. That was a lot of work, but one of the most fulfulling things I've done.
I've had some good publications and feedback this year (SE Review, Rhino, Meridian, Poet Lore, Image, PMS Redaction, Pebble Lake Review, Natural Bridge, 32 Poems, a few anthologies.)
I enjoyed being part of the Skagit Poetry Festival this year and the other poetry events I took part in.
I feel I've been dedicated with my writing and tried new genres and submitting in new genres. I'm happy with myself for not chickening out on trying new things.
2. What are you unhappy with?
For me, this always comes back to balance and my attitude with the rest of the world when I'm writing. It is so hard for me to be a writer and anything else. I think I'm a good multi-tasker, but I'm not. I tend to think this is something that will fix itself when I'm out of school because I don't remember this being an issue in the past. Right now, I'm always so focused on the next *deadline* I feel I am constantly living in the future, always asking "what's next? what's next?" It's a hectic way to live.
I waste too much time with email. I'm like Pavlov's dog, I salivate when I hear that "ding!"
3. What unexpected joys did you discover during the year?
The many people who contacted me about the Making of Peace broadside projects and who enjoyed the series. Learning I was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Just hanging out in La Conner with other poets.
The joy of falling asleep in a dorm room in the middle of the day and waking to someone playing guitar.
4. What were some of the unexpected obstacles that came up, and how did you deal with them? Looking back, would you have done anything differently?
I'm sure there were obstacles, but I can't think of any. Mostly, last year felt magical as when I needed money to print the broadsides, I was awarded a Puffin grant that paid for it. Five of my good friends had their first or second books published.
I tend not to think in "obstacles." I don't envision them when starting a project and so when they come up, I probably don't even recognize them as "obstacles."
5. What expectations did you find you needed to let go of?
That I needed to maintain a "perfect balance." Sometimes I was writing a lot and doing a lot of school work and other things in my life took a backseat to my poetry. Sometimes, other events in life took me away from my writing for longer than I would have liked or planned. I think I realized this year is that I don't always have to have a perfect balance and when things feel too out of whack, adjust them.
6. Looking ahead, how do you want to structure next year to support your writing?
Definitely stick to my daily writing time and routine without distraction. To see my writing life as my job.
7. How does the rest of your life support your writing?
My employment is odd little teaching gigs and working with individual poets, so I don't have a "real job" to take me away from my daily work.
My family is unbelievable supportive as are my cats.
8. How can you change/compromise on the non-supportive elements?
I need to do more in my life. I realize that though we traveled thsi year, hardly any new writing came from it. I tend to write about the two greatest things in my life-- writing and family. I need to stretch myself more, have some new adventures this year.
9. What new aspect of the writing life do you want to try next year?
Hmm, interesting question as it assumes the writing life is something like an accessory you carry with you or maybe a new food that you try. Maybe I'll start wearing berets and an a badge that says "Author of..."
I guess if I want to try something new in the writing life, it would be to publish a children's book. I have one that received good feedback, but ultimately a no. I need to push forward on things that could fall to the back burner.
10. Where do you need to be more disciplined?
In genres other than poetry. In the morning when I'm "warming up."
11. Where do you need to ease up on yourself?
In trying to be the "perfect" _____________ (fill in the blank)
12. List your goals for the coming year.
Have second poetry book accepted
Have children's book accepted
Graduate
Come up with an "after graduation" plan
Enjoy the moment
13. List three positive, active steps to take on each goal to get it going.
Oh geez, if I knew this was coming up I would have only listed one goal.
Okay...
1) submit
2) submit
3) finish crit paper and thesis
4) live life
5) have a glass of wine
14. List your dreams for the coming year.
Ick. I don't want to do this. Right now, I feel as if I've fallen into the Dr. Phil show.
Let's just say I'm open to some wonderful surprises this year. My dream is to be completely satisfied and astounded in the most wonderful way by what happens in my writing life.
15. List three positive, active steps to transform each dream into a goal.
1) belief
2) trust
3) faith
16. List your resolutions for the coming year.
1) Publish Second Book of Poems
2) Continue to work on (and submit) children's book
3) Follow intuition
4) Continue to write daily
17. List three positive, active steps to help you stick to them
1) Write
2) Submit
3) Show up to life.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Lake Superior State University 2007 List of Banished Words
BOASTS -- See classified advertisements for houses, says Morris Conklin of Lisboa, Portugal, as in "master bedroom boasts his-and-her fireplaces -- never 'bathroom apologizes for cracked linoleum,' or 'kitchen laments pathetic placement of electrical outlets.'"
COMBINED CELEBRITY NAMES -- Celebrity duos of yore -- BogCall (Bogart and Bacall), Lardy (Laurel and Hardy), and CheeChong (Cheech and Chong) -- just got lucky.
"It's bad enough that celebrities have to be the top news stories. Now we've given them obnoxious names such as 'Bragelina,' 'TomKat' and 'Bennifer.'" -- M. Foster, Port Huron, Michigan.
"It's so annoying, idiotic and so lame and pathetic that it's 'lamethetic.'" -- Ed of Centreville, Virginia.
GITMO -- The US military's shorthand for a base in Cuba drives a wedge wider than a split infinitive.
"When did the notorious Guantanamo Bay Naval Base change to 'Gitmo,' a word that conjures up an image of a fluffy and sweet character from a Japanese anime show?" -- Marcus W., St. Louis, Missouri.
___________
Click on the post's title to read the full list.
COMBINED CELEBRITY NAMES -- Celebrity duos of yore -- BogCall (Bogart and Bacall), Lardy (Laurel and Hardy), and CheeChong (Cheech and Chong) -- just got lucky.
"It's bad enough that celebrities have to be the top news stories. Now we've given them obnoxious names such as 'Bragelina,' 'TomKat' and 'Bennifer.'" -- M. Foster, Port Huron, Michigan.
"It's so annoying, idiotic and so lame and pathetic that it's 'lamethetic.'" -- Ed of Centreville, Virginia.
GITMO -- The US military's shorthand for a base in Cuba drives a wedge wider than a split infinitive.
"When did the notorious Guantanamo Bay Naval Base change to 'Gitmo,' a word that conjures up an image of a fluffy and sweet character from a Japanese anime show?" -- Marcus W., St. Louis, Missouri.
___________
Click on the post's title to read the full list.
