Thursday, January 1, 2009

My Lit Themed Resolutions

1. Keep better track of the books I read - I love reading the list of books people read in a year, and start off with good intentions of keeping my own list, but somehow I don't follow through. I've started a project called "Book 100", taken from Chapter after Chapter: Discover the Dedication and Focus You Need to Write the Book of Your Dreams by Heather Sellers.

The goal of Book 100 is to read 100 books that are similar to the one you want to write. Read the book and then record these thoughts about the book: summarize the book in a sentence, summarize the book in a paragraph, the best thing about this book, memorable and useful techniques the author used.

I've got about 14 books in my list of Book 100. I haven't been adding the new books I read, though, thus the resolution.

2. Write Morning Pages - I thought I knew where this idea originated, but now I'm not sure. I think it came from a book that I've never actually read and I can't remember the name of it. (Anybody out there know?) The idea with morning pages is to fill 3 pages of a notebook each morning with whatever is on your mind. I've done this before and it's a great exercise, but I'm not regular with it. If I did it for a month I would fill one of those cheap, spiral bound notebooks. That's my goal - fill one notebook full in one month.

3. Host regular haiku/poetry writing prompts here on this blog - Check here next week for the next prompt.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those are ambitious resolutions, good luck! Most of the writing I do now is blogging, but you made me consider the fact that writing longhand in a notebook is something I could easily do while holding Evie...I only need one hand! :) Typing, on the other hand, usually gets done when she's sleeping elsewhere.

What A Card said...

Good luck! And I especially love #2...that's really great advice, and I think I should try that as well...

Anonymous said...

Great resolutions and very ambitious. I especially like the idea of being better about keeping up with what I read. I'm going to adopt that one as well. I review the books I really like on my blog, but read many more than I mention there - with no record of them.

Best wishes and happy new year!

Jenners said...

Sound good to me. If I may be so bold, if you are interested in being a writer and writing more regularly, check out this post from my book blog -- there are three great books on writing there that you might find useful!

http://findyournextbookhere.blogspot.com/2008/11/books-about-writing-and-creative.html

Anonymous said...

Great resolutions! I am resolving to read more books...I have always been a voracious reader, but have been so busy lately! I love historical biographies and the classics. I will read more Tolstoy this year too!

Thanks for the good ideas and Happy New Year!!

B said...

I do number two, but at night because I find it gets things out of my head so I can sleep better. I've always just heard it as free writing, but I love it.

Anonymous said...

I really like that Morning Pages idea. Writing more is one of my goals this year. I think I will start with that!

Tori said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

That's great that you homeschool! I'd encourage you and your graduate to look into financial aide and scholarships if they are planning on going to college next year. I missed out of FA this year and I've regretted it.

I really like this blog's layout! And your writing, too! May God bless your resolutions!

Keep writing,
Tori

Elizabeth said...

Thank you so much for your encouragement! I have (wow) the first whole paragraph written. :) I love the idea of "morning writing" I think I am going to try that! :) Thank you again and have a wonderful Sunday!

Heather said...

i will be checking back for your prompts. i am trying to get back in to writing... ugh.

like you, i'm hoping to keep track of my reading list this year. i haven't kept track in a long time, and i think it would be a good idea (especially after i found myself with a book i had already read...thinking...i think i already read this one...and realizing i had when i got to the part that was supposed to be a surprise...)

Aunt Julie said...

Great resolutions...and as a writer (or wannabe writer), I'd love to respond to your prompts...especially Haiku, a form with which I'm familiar and which I adore. BTW, I've got a Giveaway goin' on at my place...please drop by and put some POP! in your New Year!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, I'm literally in the middle of at least 5 different books right now....

penguinsandladybugs said...

I love these resolutions! I used to do morning pages regularly....I'm not as much about the haikus, just because my brain doesn't think like that....but I do appreciate the art!