I’m not a big believer in New Year’s resolutions. I’ve broken too many, I guess (the gym, yeah, I know. And my vitamins. And walking the dogs. And watering the plants. And washing my car. All right, already!) But I have a thought to keep in mind as I slug away at my third novel (currently in the research/deep imagining/taking-stabs-at-the-beginning phase):
Strive to stay outside my comfort zone.
It’s said that big risks mean big rewards. The flip side, of course: big honkin’ failure. Staying outside my comfort zone means working with the constant feeling that I have no idea what I’m doing. Forging ahead on a project that at times seems so out there, I have no clue whether anyone will be interested in reading it. An idea that spins off in so many directions and into such big territory, I don’t think I can do it justice. Or even if I can do it at all.
Then again, if it seemed like a cinch, that would mean my vision is too small.
At least, I’ll keep telling myself that.
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Besides wrestling the new project, there’s plenty happening around here in 2008. My second novel, Ten Cents a Dance, will debut on April 1st. (Yippee!) My website designer and I are busy cooking up a brand-spanking-new look for http://www.christinefletcherbooks.com/, including a slew of pages devoted to TCAD. (If you haven’t already signed up for the newsletter, you can do so here to get exclusive “sneak peeks” of book excerpts, contests, and events).*
Stay tuned to this space…and Happy New Year to all!
*Never fear that I’ll jam up your inbox with endless updates. I can guarantee no more than four newsletters a year, and frankly it’ll probably only be two. No New Year’s resolution, you see.
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2 comments:
I'm so excited about your next book! Can't wait to read it.
I'm not one for resolutions, either - I fail at them miserably. But if I write down some reachable goals and don't constantly berate myself when I don't meet them (i.e. I eat too many cookies one day or don't exercise), then I can deal with it.
Hope you have a wonderful 2008!
Reachable goals -- that's the key for sure. I no longer vow to go to the gym every day and keep the house spotless. Tain't gonna happen, and all I get is a bunch of guilt.
A fantastic 2008 back atcha -- may the words flow like rivers and all your goals be reached!
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