In the High Peaks
















Sunday, January 6, 2013

Reflecting on 2013: My Reading & Writing Intentions

When it comes down to hopes and dreams for 2013, I'm thinking in terms of my intentions for the New Year rather than challenges and resolutions. I appreciate and enjoy reading about other book bloggers' plans and goals immensely, but I'm too wary of letting myself down by not "getting there."

Yet with that said, I know what I want. I made one vow, which is my plea for sanity in the coming year. I will not teach three courses per semester. For some reason, I'm not pleased with the results when I do. I hope to stick with two for the Winter/Spring semester and one for what we call the Summer I session.
  1. I want to read for pleasure daily. I will read in the early mornings, and before dinner for at least 30 minutes.
  2. My intention is to improve my blog by posting more frequently and with greater time and effort spent.
  3. I have one bona fide goal--to dedicate myself to at least one writing project. The problem is, I'm not in agreement with myself as to which project is most worthy of my time. I have a novel to revise, yes. (I have never published any fiction.) Yet if I were willing to dedicate the hours, I could write a children's nonfiction book (history and/or nature subjects) as I have many times before. I have not published a book since moving to the Adirondacks in 2005. If a writer spends hours and hours outdoors, she does not accomplish much at a desk. She comes home overly weary and satisfied with life, which is not the formula this writer needs to be productive. Because I have no plans to limit my outdoor time, it will be very interesting to see what I do with my 2013 writing goal. 
  4. In November 2013, I will try, try again to fully participate in Lizzy's and Caroline's German Literature Challenge, from start to finish. I wanted to do this so much in 2011 and 2012 but could not.
  5. Because so many book bloggers are starting the year digging out from under their TBR piles, I'll read at least one 2013 title each month. (Oh, yes, I'll be drawing on my TBR stacks, too!)
  6. I'd like to find some book bloggers who read a great deal of nonfiction. If you know of any you think I'd like and you don't mind leaving me a link or a name, please do. I will do a search as well. I'll be writing about the good ones I find.
  7. My last intention: I would like to do a regular Saturday morning meme. It would be ideal to post the weekly entry early Saturday morning. The Saturday Book Shop (I need a much better title.) will be about a number of the books I've gathered during the past week--from online shopping, the libraries I frequent, my bookshelves, friends' bookshelves, and book sales.)  

6 comments:

  1. I do lot of my reading in the morning tend to have an hour before work most days ,all the best stu

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    1. Stu, reading an hour before work is a great habit! Do you buy or borrow most of your books?

      I like reading when I have my tea in the morning because it starts me off for the day in a calm, focused mood.

      I hope to get lots of suggestions for books in translation from your blog in 2013!

      Judith

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  2. Some great intentions here Judith. Writing takes time and I wouldn't feel too guilty if it has slipped in recent years. And you have such a lovely landscape. Looking forward to your posts in 2013.

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    1. Thank you, Sarah, and I so look forward to yours. I hope you'll post from time to time about your writing. I'd be very interested to hear how your book is coming along.

      Judith

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  3. I'm lucky that I can dedicate quite a lot of time each day to reading if I feel like it, but I have been reading far too many old books recently and I think it's a good idea of yours to read at least one 2013 book a month, or even 2012.
    Jack has been avoiding writing for some years now but plans to get back into it when he retires - I'm not holding my breath!

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    1. I'm so glad you have a great deal of time to read--your habits inspire me to keep reading, though I failed miserably during the past fall semester. I will never teach 3 courses at a time again. Life is too short, and there's so much I want to read.

      Speaking of Jack and his writing, I'm sure he'll want to when he's no longer teaching. Such a creatively exhausting profession! Is he planning to retire anytime soon?

      Best wishes,
      Judith

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