Sunday, December 6, 2009

The December Absolute Writer Blog Chain

This month's Theme: Wrap up List for 2009. How was your year in terms of writing/reading/personal goals, or for anything else you may want to talk about. I'm preceded in this chain by the Lost Wanderer at http://www.lostwanderer5.blogspot.com and will be followed by coryleslie at http://corrinejackson.wordpress.com the other participants are listed below.


Father Time Flying Past

Well for me, at least, there is thought of the beginning here at the end or
Rather of the promise the year
Ahead held this time last year. I remember now the resolution made to fill blank
Pages with genius and devotion.
Understanding even then that these lofty goals would be subjected to my
Procrastinating nature.
Listen now, it’s not that I’m incapable of fulfilling personal goals
It’s more that I know my limitations and make provisions for them.
So right from the start I tell myself I’ll read twenty new books and write
Two full-length novels by year’s end.
Foolish, perhaps but here I have read more than a dozen books and finished
One entire manuscript that I’m proud of.
Resoundingly short of the goal I set, but well within the realms of respectability.
2009, will see its end and ten years from now, will not be for me the year that I did not do all I should.
0h, and neither will it be the year I did not write two masterpieces
0r will it be one I look back at with self-loathing for not losing that last
9... oh all right, ten pounds. It will be a year marked by the friends I made (Simone and all of you) and the happy memories we shared (These blog chains).

A happy prosperous year to you all from the Romantic Query Letter.

Sincerely,
Claire

PARTICIPANTS
bsolah - http://benjaminsolah.com/blog
DavidZahir - http://zahirblue.blogspot.com/
RavenCorinnCarluk - http://ravencorinncarluk.blogspot.com
Ralph Pines - http://ralfast.wordpress.com/
shethinkstoomuch - http://shethinkstoomuch.wordpress.com
Lady Cat - http://www.randomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.com
truelyana - http://expressiveworld.com
misaditas - http://misaditas-novels.blogspot.com/
laharrison - http://lesleyharrison.wordpress.com/
beawhiz - http://beawrites.wordpress.com
razibahmed - http://www.blogging37.com
FreshHell - http://freshhell.wordpress.com
AlissaC - http://alissacarleton.blogspot.com

24 comments:

  1. Oh yeah, Colin Firth is amazing in the Pride and Prejudice 1995. :) I have seen that adaptation so many times. I really want to see Dorian Grey starring Ben Barnes and Colin Firth.
    Have a great week too. :)

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  2. I enjoyed reading your post. It is eloquently written. As for my 2009 goals...I'm sorry to say that none of them were achieved. Like you, I did meet my weight loss objective. Also, I hoped to complete my novel by the end of the year, but alas, I'm only two-thirds of the way there.

    The upside to 2009 is, setting expectations for myself put me on a path to complete my goals. You'll never get to second base unless you remove your foot from first. I'll eventually get to home:)

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  3. Claire, congratulations on all that you did accomplish. I can't quite remember all the goals I has set for myself for 2009, although I think landing an agent had been one, which I did not accomplish. However, I did finish one manuscript, I did submit it (not actively), I did attend RWA Nationals in D.C., and I'm more than 2/3 through two other masterpieces. :)

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  4. Thank you for that. I'm wondering if perhaps your method is one I should borrow...hmmmm...

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  5. You are so amazingly creative to write that that way! I am so jealous! :) Kudos on the accomplishments and even those you didn't YET reach. Here's to a wonderful 2010 in so many ways! Happy New Year!

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  6. What a completely practical approach to setting and reaching your goals, and what a great way to express it! I love it.

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  7. I love that you used an acrostic to do your wrap-up post! One year, I wrote down all the things I HAD accomplished at the end of the year. It's much nicer to look at the year that way than what you haven't accomplished.

    I like that you said that you won't look back in 10 years and say that this was the year you didn't accomplish something. That's so true!

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  8. The acrostic is beautiful. Sounds like a great year! Congratulations on accomplishing all that you did!

    Lovely blog. :)

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  9. What a beautiful blog you have! Utterly enchanting posts!

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  10. I love the way you used an acrostic for your post! But then I've never been disappointed by your wonderful writing when I visit your site.

    Congratulations on your accomplishments! I'm sure next year will be even better for all of us.

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  11. Clever! I'd say that one complete mss is something to crow about.

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  12. I'm so very glad the acrostic is a hit even if can't take full creadit for it. I turned to Simone at the eleventh hour or rather the vexing hour of ten on a lazy Sunday morning but you lot already know I'm no good on 'Sundays.'
    Happy Monday Everybody.
    Hugs,
    Claire

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  13. A lovely image and lots of good (and a few not so good) changes for the year! :-D

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  14. How wonderful to find your blog..its a gift and its not even Christmas yet...books and writing are my pasion..AND I am hopelessly romantic..greets from Holland:))

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  15. kudos on the accomplishments. be proud that you did as much as you did. i didn't even get a chapter written this year, and i think i've only read one book cover to cover. so you're doing a helluva lot better than me, and i'd bet my hands you've accomplished more than most who call themselves writers.

    the picture you included with this post makes me think of the imaginarium of doctor parnassus. i'm so stoked to see this movie!

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  16. A very rational approach towards your goals of 2009. I sometimes wonder whether we should have any goals or resolutions or the new year.

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  17. Wow, I can't believe you wrote it like that! Well actually, no I CAN believe it coming from you! You've got talent, yes, you do.

    Here's to 2010 being THE year!

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  18. This is so creatively done! I loved it :-)

    And I have found that just because we aim for more than we finish, it doesn't mean year was a failure. You've done plenty to be proud of, and one novel you are happy with is better than two novels rushed.

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  19. I chuckled at your creativity. It made the year seem awesome. And showed that you can and have done much.

    Awesome wrap up. Now you need one more accomplishment for next year. 8P Setting goals is something more than I do.

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  20. You guys are so awesome like Godiva Dark Ganache Bliss, all sweet and heartwarming.
    I love you all.
    Hugs,
    Claire.

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  21. Claire,
    That's such a unique way to countdown the wrap up and share with us your thoughts and experiences of writing.
    Very beautiful, and a glorious Happy Seasons Greetings and New Year to you.

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  22. I was going to say what Trulyana said, what a unique way to wrap up the year.

    And congratulations on completing a manuscript.

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  23. Claire,

    What a clever entry to the chain! I really enjoyed reading it.
    All the best to you and enjoy the rest of the year!
    Congratulations on completing a manuscript.

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  24. Nice structure, great start to the chain! May 2010 be a brilliant year for you.

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