I’ve never really tuned into the whole ‘New Year, New You’ thing. Maybe it’s because I’m a writer, and I can imagine how disturbing that would be? The whole New Year’s Eve vibe would be totally different, as people struggled to stay awake to keep hold of themselves as long as possible. The New Year’s Eve kiss would be a bittersweet goodbye/hello to your loved ones, would they still be someone you could care about come 2020?
Or maybe I’m just a lazy clart and I’m just not that invested in the idea of changing.
I am, after all, a feckin’ DELIGHT! Do not let anyone tell you different.
Still, while we are in that liminal span between 1 January and 25 January (Chinese New Year) where New Year Energy is still fizzing…new starts do seem more attainable. Like, I said I rarely make grand New Year’s resolutions, but I have a sort of vague determination to do better at some things! More good intentions than resolutions.
In my case…mostly social media.
Just generally do better with this. I tend to be either Very On with social media or, if something has happened elsewhere that’s eaten my brain, an echoing void in the shape of TA Moore. I intend to do MUCH better this year.
My newsletter is actually going pretty well. I have been late once, but I was On the Road and so cannot be held responsible. A newsletter has gone out every week, even over Christmas, although I have simplified it a little for days when I’m in a hurry. I was also starting to run out of Useless Sites of the Day and video of NI poets — so it was necessary to make a few changes.
I want to work out some more exclusive content/competitions for the newsletter over the next few months. Also do one ‘live’ from ShiMMer and maybe the Salon du Livre. We’ll see!
I am also going to actually use my facebook group for daily….weekly updates on my life. People will either enjoy them and be interested, or leave. Either way, I’m doing it. Sometimes I feel my life is very boring from the outside. I mean, I’m here with EPIC BATTLES and LEGENDARY ROMANCES in my head, typing in a desperate race between my fingers and my brain to get it all down before it fades into ‘they fought. The end’. From the outside though I’m just some woman at a desk, either typing maniacally or drinking tea while I stare blindly at the wall.
Podcast. Imma do one! I have the technology! This is more of an aspiration than an intent. (I will absolutely not do this since the sound of my own voice horrifies me and also I ramble like a good ‘un. Each episode would be nice hours long!)
.I will digress here briefly to say that if you thinking of doing a podcast/newsletter then substack is THE BUSINESS! It’s user-friendly, constantly in development, adaptable to suit your needs, and seriously stable. I’m extremely happy with it and I have used a variety of different newsletter generators over the years.
Other good intentions?
Write Track. This is an awesome site – soon to be app! – that lets you track your word count. But TA, I hear you say, that’s what wordcount is for. The problem is wordcount doesn’t judge, it lets me bargain with it, and it keeps my secrets. Write Track turns your box red if you don’t write enough and then scarlet box of shame is all you get.
I work well with shame and pressure. What can I say?
(Oh! New Master on Doctor Who is cool, right?)