Traveling and Writing in 2009: I Resolve To...
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I've never been big on New Year's resolutions -- I figured out a long time ago that I wasn't likely to suddenly become someone I'm not, just because I made a wish at midnight on December 31 of any given year. But recently I've decided that within the right framework (read: the right combination of specificity and vagueness) they can be a useful tool in the pursuit of (for lack of a less cheesy term) personal growth. So without further ado, here are a few resolutions for my travels, and my writing, in 2009: Travel I'm headed to New York City in January, for an extended three-month visit. Beyond that (and a trip to Barbados in May) I have no idea what the travel future holds for me. So, not wishing to overplan (let's call that a resolution, too) I'm going to stick to NYC- and B'dos-based resolutions. 1. New York: Visit a museum or gallery every week. Writing Just one here, actually, but it's pretty all-encompassing: Never, ever phone it in. In college, I'd occasionally slack off on a given essay or assignment; usually, I slid through anyway with the mark I wanted, and if not, I just made up the gap on the final exam. But with writing for pay, there is no formula to calculate what mark I need on the final to cover for an earlier slip-up; there aren't necessarily any second chances at all. As I've gotten busier and busier with writing over the past couple of months, I've felt my usual care and attention to detail slipping a little. I've noticed cliches and lazy language working their way in. I had already resolved to put a stop to it a few weeks ago, before (I figured) any real harm had been done -- but I was too late. Last week I learned that I'd missed out on a huge opportunity, one that was really important to me, for the exact reasons I'd identified: I'd let the freshness of my writing slip. Rather than obsessing about it and beating myself up endlessly (okay, so that might be one resolution I can't keep -- there will definitely be some sleeplessness and self-flagellation over this one) I've decided to put it behind me and do the only thing I can: make sure it never happens again. So here it is: Whether I'm writing on my favourite topic for a dream publication, or filing an obligatory story for the paycheque, I will give everything I write the same time, care and attention that I would have when I first started out, and every submission felt like life and death. What are your resolutions for 2009? |
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I really love New Year's and resolutions-- I see it as a time not to become a different person (as much as I'd like that to happen, it's not likely), but a time to be a bit more thoughtful about how I can be my best self.
My writing resolutions are to take more chances pitching and querying to publications that really resonate with my own interests. I spent the past year gathering story/article/essay material and making excuses about putting it out there. It's time to just dig in and do it.
As an editor, I'm resolving to work with writers more closely to develop their talent-- to push writers who've slipped into comfortable writing to challenge themselves more, to "discover" writers who have an incredible style and give them some exposure, and to work with writers who have good ideas but haven't polished their writing yet.
I hear ya on the missed opportunities; freelance writing really is an ebb and flow. One moment you're starving and driven by numerous rejections, then suddenly you get a flood of acceptance (or at least more "personal" rejection) and think you're cock-of-the-walk. Getting full of yourself/myself, you/I suddenly find yourself/myself right back at the starving (literally and figuratively) phase.
Repeat.
Good luck in New York and Barbados!
Like you, I've never been big on resolutions either. But there are a few I'm determined to keep for next year:
1. Brush up on my Spanish and not be afraid to use it, especially when I'm faced with an unexpected opportunity. This will pay off when I *hopefully* go to Argentina, Uruguay and Chile in the spring. And then start working on my Chinese again after I return from South America, especially if I plan on going to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in 2010.
2. Be more disciplined with my writing and along the lines of what David said, try to describe things in a fresher, more thought-provoking way.
3. Go to a Sharks game and maybe a Warriors game.
And don't worry about the missed opportunity, I'm sure there will be plenty more coming your way!
I wouldn't call it a resolution, per se...or maybe it is. After all, a resolution is basically something you want to do right? I would like to gain focus. I am a scatterbrain. I'm off on a million directions, all the time. In fact, I'm thinking about a dozen other things as I write this. This is not good.
I would like to gain focus and discover a niche for myself in the writing world (I guess that's two things). It's in my nature to fumble through life and take opportunities as they arise, rather than seeking out. Is that another resolution in there? Hmmm...see? Completely unfocussed, i don't even know what I'm talking about anymore.
Nice post Eva. I'm right there with you on the discipline. My writing resolution: notice the relationships between things more. It's easy to just breeze along the surface and describe. Say, for example, a mother: "A tired-looking mom in her mid-30s"
But what about really noticing what she does? How she interacts with her kid (or doesn't).
That's one resolution anyway. Always room for more.
I resolve to be like Eva Holland :)
Sorry you missed out on an opportunity... your talent will bring you many more that you'll love!