New Year's Resolutions

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"The past tempts us, the present confuses us, and the future frightens us. And our lives slip away, moment by moment, lost in that vast, terrible in-between. But there is still time to seize that one last, fragile moment. To choose something better, to make a difference. And I intend to do just that." ~ J. Michael Straczynski

In 153 BCE Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the Roman calendar by the Roman Senate. In legend Janus had two faces which he used to look to the future and the past. Since it was believed that Janus could forgive transgressions, many Romans would give gifts and make promises at the beginning of the new calendar year. Over time, the gifts became associated with Christmas, but the tradition of making promises, or "resolutions," at the beginning of each year has remained.

I wasn’t going to make any resolutions this year. I wittily said to myself, “Why mess with perfection?” and gave myself two Fonzie-esc thumbs up. I spend a lot of time alone though, and I tend to mull things over in my mind, even after I’ve made a decision. I finally came to the conclusion that there is room for improvement in my life, so I made the following resolutions.

1. I need to double, triple, even quadruple my efforts to get published.

2. Due to carelessness, or what have you, I’m writing my second Nick Ferrous book and a book of White Star short stories at the same time. I need to buckle down, focus, and finish at least one of them, THEN work on the other.

3. If I’m going to be a “serious writer,” I need to read the work of, at least, one literary master a month, in addition to the popular literature I currently enjoy.

4. I need to figure out how to better generate income from my blog.