Resolutions

[jpskewedthrone]

It's that time of year when we all resolve to be better people or do more things in the new year. So here's my list of things I'd like to accomplish in the new year. The first is fairly standard:

I want to lose 15 lbs: I noticed over the past year that I gained a little weight. Not tons, and what I have gained I think comes from passing that magical 35 year mark. Part of it though is that I think I started eating a little more than usual during the spring/summer months and I haven't cut back. Or rather, I just cut back in the last few days. And let me tell you, I'm HUNGRY! *grin* Or at least, I'm hungry an hour or so before lunch and an hour or so before dinner. I'm not cutting anything out, like eliminating chocolate or carbs or anything. I'm just not eating as much of the stuff as I normally eat. We'll see how it goes.

I want to sign 3 new contracts: I'd like to sign three new book contracts this coming year, not necessarily all part of the same project. I have the two sequels to Well of Sorrows that I just handed in that I'm hoping DAW is interested in. I also have the current proposal I'm working on. I figure there are 2 ways to end up with 3 contracts: sell the sequels to Well and the book I've just started OR sell the book I've just started along with 2 sequels to it.

Find an agent: The other thing I'm hoping to do with the new project is to snag an agent. I've already contacts a few and at least one is waiting to make a decision based on how the new project looks. Which is why I should be writing right now and finishing the proposal off. *grin* But I wrote 1100 words on chapter 4 yesterday, and have already got some words this morning, so I should be good. I know I'm nearing the end of chapter 4 already. Only one more scene to go, which I hope to get to this afternoon, then the plot synopsis to write up.

Become an international bestseller: I mean, this is in the bag, right? I've got that German deal, so by August, when it's released there, I know I can quit the day job and live in luxury for the rest of my life.

Win the lottery: Nothing big, just, you know, ten million or so. Think of the release parties I could throw at cons! Oh, the boytoys! The single malt! The chocolate! (Which will be eaten in moderation.)

So that's my list. What's yours? Anyone have any cool New Year's Eve plans? I think we're keeping it simple: hit the bar, then hit home. It's kind of cold and snowy out. Not condusive to much else.

And I leave you with a link to THE GUINEA PIG OLYMPICS!!! Enjoy. (My favorite is the archery one.)

Comments

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

A good way to lose weight without being hungry is to eat more fruits and vegetables, particularly for snacks. I lost 70 pounds in the last couple of years, and doing simple things like that that seem obvious really work. Remember that once you hit 30, 30 hits back.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I generally do eat quite a few fruits and veggies. I think I'm just eating a little too much. I mean, it probably took 8 months to gain the 15 pounds. That's not much in that span of time. I will probably take me twice that to get it off though. *grin*

[mela-lyn.livejournal.com]

You should see if you know anyone currently in Weight Watchers. they changed the program this year so we're learning about healthy 'filling' foods... meaning they make you feel fuller without having lots of points. :) Of course, I'll learn what all that means next Monday. If I remember, I'll try to post it so you can see!! I've lost lots... maybe it could help you!

And I love the Guinea Pig Olympics! The cyclists were my fav, then the archers... but the comment about the boxer eating the ear and the babies, that was hilarious!! I used to have a guinea pig.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I'll see how it goes on my own first. Then we'll try things like Weight Watchers. But definitely let me know how it goes for you!

I have two guinea pigs at the moment. They rule the house. Or at least the are around the refrigerator.

[mela-lyn.livejournal.com]

Well, if you ever want to talk food, let me know. I love sharing stories. :)

I found our guinea pigs boring. Though it was really funny to see the 45 & 60 pound bassett hounds were scared of them. *chuckle* The dogs would try to sniff them, the guinea pigs would grumble, and the dogs would jump backwards, woof, then back. Heehee... very entertaining.

[livia-llewellyn.livejournal.com]

I'm shocked that you don't have an agent. How the hell did you get a book deal without one?

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Oh, I had an agent for the first 4 sales. However my first agent had to leave the business due to personal issues, which was disappointing to say the least. I just haven't found an agent I can work with since. It hasn't been much of an issue because I've been working on the already sold books. But now I need one to help sell some new ones.

[kara-gnome.livejournal.com]

Those are great goals, and *mostly* achievable. That 15 lb one, I don't know, that could be tricky...;D

You'll do fine; up the veggies, drink more water, up the exercise; blah, blah, blah. Yoga might be fun to try. Just, get a handle on it now before it becomes more difficult, is all. Don't try to starve it off; that worked fine in your 20s, but it won't work so well now, for sure :).

I'm just trying to be more writerly and do the sorts of things real writers do. I'm leaving it at that.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Yeah, most of my goals are writing goals. That's the real focus.

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

you could cut out brains - I hear they are high in fat.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

But . . . but . . . they're so GOOOOOOOD!

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

ok then. Just reduce the portion sizes and times eating them. You know, shre with friends and such.

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

You can have the boytoys and the single malt, though I suspect there's someone who would disagree with the first....
Will you share the chocolate?

Once you win the lottery, that is.

[mardott.livejournal.com]

I want to know if he'll share the single malt...

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I'd definitely share the single malt. *grin*

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I do not understand this concept of "sharing chocolate". Please explain.

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

Well, it's like with the boytoys, only it's chocolate.
Or, it's like with the single malt, only it's chocolate.

Wait.... It's like when two zombies are eating the same brain, and they're not trying to off each other.

[ceibhfhionn22.livejournal.com]

No plans. Just looking at the guinea pig olympics. It's so cute!

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Definitely cute. *grin*

[mardott.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to lose 15 pounds since 1990. Now I'm trying to lose 30. The thing that's never made clear to us, is that when we get to our 30's, we have to cut calories. We have to cut more every year, unless we can do things like run marathons or bike a hundred miles every week. That's just the way it is.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm trying to cut the calories. It will be hard with the birthday coming up this weekend, but AFTER that. . . .

I do cycle for four hours every week. Hard cycling, not just pleasure cycling. I think it's the food.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the Olympics...we need something light today ;o)

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Glad to oblige.

[jeanhuets.livejournal.com]

The guinea pigs are really fun. I love the fencers. Which brings up one of the things I'm considering for 2009: going back to my fencing club. Maybe I can duel a guinea pig. Everyone else will beat me.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I've always wanted to take fencing, for fun but also as research for all those sword fights that I end up faking. Or dodging.

[jeanhuets.livejournal.com]

It did help me understand sword fighting, though sports fencing isn't the same as historical fencing. And if you're a good faker and dodger, you'll do fine at fencing!

[ckastens.livejournal.com]

Good luck! I think you can do it! :)

My list is having a baby arrive in the next two weeks, and making sure HE has a great year. :)

Happy New Year!

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Ooo! Congrats and good luck!

[miintikwa.livejournal.com]

Best of luck!

My goals are: to submit 2 short stories (at least), since I submitted one last year (what can I say, I'm not a native short story writer), to finish the novel I'm working on and get on with the next projects. And to work on the stuff that I've been working on (health issues, etc).

May we all have a BETTER year next year!

[ruthannereid.livejournal.com]

Good goals, I say! Also, olympics = yay.