It has been a year since I threw away everything I had and knew and moved back to Montrose. I came back with a list of what had to be done, what could be done and what should be done. I don't think I've accomplisehed much of it. Everything takes longer than anticipated but isn't that always the case when you've set unreasonable expectations to start with? Maybe. But I have a habit of requiring more from myself than is reasonable and this year is no different. To encourage and jump start inspiration, I must acknowledge what has been accomplished:
- I now have an office where I can close the door and work.
- I've completed a rough (oh, so disheartingly rough) draft of another book.
- I have a specific list of the books to be written this year.
- I've completed a great deal of research.
- My home is not what it will be but is finally in shape enough to move forward.
- I've lost and kept off 20 pounds.
- There is an order to things.
- I've made friends I can call and invite for a pot of tea or glass of wine and good conversation.
- I've been reasonably healthy.
- I exercise fairly regularly.
- I have found art projects I can enjoy and am fairly good at.
- I have gotten some experience teaching at the college level.
- I went camping with Gabe.
To be honest, there are things I haven't done and they are important:
- I haven't made any money (and that may be the biggest, scariest item on my list).
- I haven't manged to quit smoking although I did stop for a couple of months.
- I haven't lost the other 20 pounds and they have to go.
- I haven't published a book.
- I haven't found a local college to teach at.
- I haven't taken off my running shoes.
- I haven't started painting the rooms in the house or putting up shelves.
- I haven't gotten back to the piano.
- I haven't traveled further than NYC, Harrisburg and Rochester.
Okay, so the list of what I did do is longer than the list of what I didn't do but some of the items on the "didn't do" list are critical and so they are being brought into 2012. I don't think I'm ready to take off my running shoes yet, though, and don't know if that will ever happen. I'm not sure it ever needs to happen. I don't think I'll make it one of my new resolutions. As for the other things, none of them can happen unless and until I do the first one. I need to earn money and I don't want to do it on anyone else's terms. No running back to the state. No giving someone else the right to say how, where and when I work. No going backwards. That means I have to move forward. So -- here is the new impossible list:
- Daily schedule:
- Morning chores (chores include exercise).
- Afternoon writing (write whenever I feel the urge but always must spend afteroons writing).
- Evening art work.
- Deidra Shay:
- Revised by Jan 30 and self-published.
- Johnny
- Rough draft by the end of February.
- Revised by the end of March.
- Haunting of Waterford Road
- Rough draft by the end of April.
- Revised by the end of May.
- My Ghost Story (non-fiction)
- Rough draft by the end of June.
- Revised by the end of July.
- Compilation of Poetry Chap book by end of Aug using existing poems and new art work.
- The Dragon Prince
- Rough draft by the end of September.
- Revised by the end of October
- King of the Mountain
- Rough draft by the end of November.
- Revised byt he end of Decmeber.
- 2013
- Angelo, Man of the House.
- Children Work (non-fiction).
- Putting Mother to Bed (Memoir).
- Greeting card line for Episale Design.
It's impossible but it's very possible. Meanwhile I exercise, eat fruits and vegetables and limit alcohol to no more than two glasses of wine a day. If I get half of it done I'm doing well but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I am a writer and artist. I plan to write and create art. The rest will follow. Happy New Year, everyone!
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