Yes, I am writing this year in review A YEAR EARLY. The way I like looking at goals is as if they are already accomplished, because this helps train my brain to expect them to happen, to expect me to do what it takes to get them done. It works…most of the time. (I’ve noticed it only works on things that I can control. Not things I can’t control, like, say, the publishing industry or the lottery…this is me, refraining from making a comparison between the publishing industry in the lottery…but not really.)
In 2012, I read 75 published books, plus many completed manuscripts for writer friends.
In 2013, I’ve read about the same amount. Maybe fewer books, because more of my free time went toward writing.
In 2012, I revised a YA novel, drafted a YA novel, revised and submitted two short stories and wrote a third (as of now, still in its first draft). One of those short stories will be published soon. Trust me, y’all will be hearing from me once it’s available.
In 2013, I’ve revised a YA novel, drafted a new one and revised it as well, revised and submitted one short story, and drafted two more.
In 2012, I had a baby.
In 2013, I have not birthed any new children. I have celebrated the ones I have, and have vowed to keep my brood at two. Two is good. Two is manageable. Two means they haven’t outnumbered us.
In 2012, I spent a lot of time commenting on other peoples’ blogs and creating blog posts of my own.
In 2013, my internet/blog presence has been limited, with me commenting occasionally on other blogs and writing one blog post a week (with a few scheduled breaks).
In 2012, I compared my writing (methods and accomplishments) to others’. I compared myself to others and fretted about success.
In 2013, I have ceased to focus on what other writers are doing (beyond the necessary and very pleasurable act of market research through reading, and, of course, commiserating about writerly angst with close friends). Instead, my focus lies in improving my own craft and honing my own ideas of what it means to be a successful writer.
In 2012, I sought balance in my personal life and writing life.
2013 has been no different, except I’ve felt more balanced and more at peace with the fact that complete, constant balance is impossible.
In 2012, vegetables were accidental.
In 2013, I have formed the habit of including vegetables with both lunch and dinner every day. Even if “lunch” consists of a bowl of Doritos and one carrot. (The image above is a captured note from habitforge.com.)
And finally, in 2013, I have ceased to spend hours crafting appropriate conclusions for my blog posts. I would also like to hear what other people have accomplished in 2013.
Beth Hull 
How about a big bowl of doritos and a baby carrot? Does that still count?
Erm, that’s actually what I had for lunch. Although the carrot wasn’t a “baby” carrot, it was on the small side of the carrot-size-spectrum.
Hahaha, awesome.
“The Accidental Vegetable,” sounds like it’d be a great title for something……
Yes, it does! Either a children’s picture book or a really weird short story like Kafka’s “Metamorphosis.”
I like this approach to New Year’s Resolutions. May all of yours come true!
Right back atcha, Maggie! I love goal-setting and check-ins, so I have high hopes.
These are great accomplishments, Beth, and inspiring! I, too, will focus more on a balance between personal and writing lives, and focus on improving my own work rather than fretting about everything I’m not, yet. What I am, girl, what I am! (have no idea what that means, not really, just a nerd trying to sound cool). PS. What did you think of Maxwell’s “The Heavenly Tenants”? Did you blog about it and I missed it? Very curious. Happy 2013! You, you know, totally rock sistah…but it’s true.
Honestly, it’s really hard to just focus on my own work, and not do the comparison game, but I’m gonna try. And PS, thought “The Heavenly Tenants” was kind of weird but enjoyable, sort of like Margaret Wise Brown’s “Little Fur Family,” in that old children’s book sort of way. And I LOVED the illustrations. I want to wallpaper my bedroom with them. Happy 2013 to you, my rockin’ poet writer sistah!