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And I have almost settled on a new year's resolution.
I do best at keeping resolutions when I make them projects that need completing -- something tangible that I can share with, or show to, others (knowing that I'll have others who'll ask how thus-and-such project is coming is part of what makes me stick with it). I also do this because I want to be able to look back at the year and say: "The world is a different and (I hope) better place because I did X over the past year." ... kinda helps put all the cruddy stuff that happens in perspective.
In 2002, I made a resolution to submit at least one thing for each issue of a locally produced, internationally distributed Pagan Magazine (the latter due to some folks associated with it being in the navy, and getting it distriibuted at navel posts in Italy and Germany). I've submitted 8 pieces: 3 articles, and 5 poems. One of the poems was published, and two articles -- with a third article not found by the editor until after the deadline, but she asked permission to publish it in 2003 -- I said "Yes!" of course... I can understand why the second and third poems were rejected -- after seeing the finished issue, I can tell they wouldn't have "fit in". Why the fourth poem was rejected I have no idea... it was the one I posted to LJ at Yule, and I won't know about the 5th poem until it gets printed in the Imbolg issue... or not (The editor gives no feedback to writers... maybe she's cut the poetry/art section entirely ?? Won't know till February, I guess).
Anyway, one poem I submitted (for the Samhain issue) was actually a prose poem, and was written to fulfill a second resolution to honor an uncle who died before I was born. I was pretty hurt (for about half a day) when it wasn't published... but then, I put it up on that music forum I talk about, and someone commented on it, and thanked me for writing it... She'd read it aloud at a women's spirituality retreat, and she said it helped her deal with the grief of losing her mother...
I submitted my eighth (and final -- for 2002 at any rate) piece for the magazine 2 hours before the moment of the winter solstice. So I guess, all in all, it can be called a successful year.
I don't usually set my new resolution until my birthday. It's close enough to the common new year to count, but is more accurately my New Year... So I have time to meditate on it, and let the idea of "What needs to be done, this year?" rise to the surface of my brain... and I'm starting to see its general outline, at least...
So -- what about you lot? do any of you make resolutions, or pick projects (no, I did not say "pockets"! ;-))
I do best at keeping resolutions when I make them projects that need completing -- something tangible that I can share with, or show to, others (knowing that I'll have others who'll ask how thus-and-such project is coming is part of what makes me stick with it). I also do this because I want to be able to look back at the year and say: "The world is a different and (I hope) better place because I did X over the past year." ... kinda helps put all the cruddy stuff that happens in perspective.
In 2002, I made a resolution to submit at least one thing for each issue of a locally produced, internationally distributed Pagan Magazine (the latter due to some folks associated with it being in the navy, and getting it distriibuted at navel posts in Italy and Germany). I've submitted 8 pieces: 3 articles, and 5 poems. One of the poems was published, and two articles -- with a third article not found by the editor until after the deadline, but she asked permission to publish it in 2003 -- I said "Yes!" of course... I can understand why the second and third poems were rejected -- after seeing the finished issue, I can tell they wouldn't have "fit in". Why the fourth poem was rejected I have no idea... it was the one I posted to LJ at Yule, and I won't know about the 5th poem until it gets printed in the Imbolg issue... or not (The editor gives no feedback to writers... maybe she's cut the poetry/art section entirely ?? Won't know till February, I guess).
Anyway, one poem I submitted (for the Samhain issue) was actually a prose poem, and was written to fulfill a second resolution to honor an uncle who died before I was born. I was pretty hurt (for about half a day) when it wasn't published... but then, I put it up on that music forum I talk about, and someone commented on it, and thanked me for writing it... She'd read it aloud at a women's spirituality retreat, and she said it helped her deal with the grief of losing her mother...
I submitted my eighth (and final -- for 2002 at any rate) piece for the magazine 2 hours before the moment of the winter solstice. So I guess, all in all, it can be called a successful year.
I don't usually set my new resolution until my birthday. It's close enough to the common new year to count, but is more accurately my New Year... So I have time to meditate on it, and let the idea of "What needs to be done, this year?" rise to the surface of my brain... and I'm starting to see its general outline, at least...
So -- what about you lot? do any of you make resolutions, or pick projects (no, I did not say "pockets"! ;-))
