Earlier this year, I made a list of stuff and things that I wanted to do, own or achieve this year. Let's check that list and see how things have been going.
1. Publish a book of poetry
I've been writing more poems and I even set up a Lulu account to have a look at what I'd need to do to actually print/publish the book. After I did a basic layout, using the poems I've got, the book came out to around 60 pages, which is a bit short. I could drop some short stories in there, too, but I wonder what people will realistically pay for such a thing? I'd be aiming for under $10, but it hardly seems like enough stuff just yet. I need to be writing a couple of poems a week for the rest of the year to get enough to publish, and I should refrain from posting them all here (aka, giving them away for free).
It's still on my mind, and still a goal before the end of the year.
2. Finish the first draft of my second novel
I have not done any more work on this since January. Mentally, I've not been in remotely the right place. The novel is way too autobiographical, to be honest, and I need to set some distance between myself and the overall narrative, which isn't about me. But it could be. Know what I mean? It would probably be a good idea to start something completely different, though I think I have enough on my plate right now.
3. Get The Nearside Project writtten and ready for layout
I've done some more writing on it, and the next couple of months will be busy. I'm running a couple of sessions of the game at Gen Con which will help me not only pin down updated concepts, but to reality check the entire idea. I still think it's a good one, but I've been too close to it for too long.
4. Get back to the gym and go regularly
Um, complete fail. To the point that I don't think I can show my face at the gym at which I'm a member. I may call Globalfit and get them to change my membership to a gym closer to home. I need to get to the gym. I am feeling incredibly unfit at the moment, much more than usual.
5. Get a Macbook
Complete success! Moreover, the small amount of freelance work that flows by is doing a great job of paying for the Macbook. That was always my intent. Hopefully after Gen Con, I can concentrate on TNP and building the freelance business up. Given that I will be looking for a new job for November onward, the freelance work will hopefully be a good way to keep me sharp while I look.
Not the best success rate, I admit, but the year's not over yet. I fully intend to check off the rest of the items before the year is up.