New Year's Resolution

Every second a child dreams of making the world she envisions real.

The child structures her world not with bricks, but with innocence and creativity. The foundation is the cool mold of her imagination. Here, a man isn’t a man- he is a dashing prince, a lowly beggar, a noble king, an alien from another world. People live inside castles within futuristic kingdoms and shake hands or kiss cheeks for formal greetings. There’s a shop in every town where anyone can borrow a pair of wings, just to fly around and enjoy the vibrant aquamarine backdrop of a sky. There’s a warning though- don’t fly near any of the seven suns without sunglasses on.

A child’s world isn’t yet corrupted by the problems we’ve created in our society. Debt is an incredulous concern- there are far greater issues at hand. Beware the wild yelling dragon, the ruthless black-bearded wizard, the sinister plotting child with superpowers. In this world only heroes can step up to face the nightmares at hand. Is a hero born to fit a mold, or can anyone be the hero that steps up to bring a menace to a halt?

I’d like to think that anyone can- in the world of imagination or the real world.

Grab that sword near your bedside table. Strap your sheath across your waist, your armor across your chest. Take your keys, and place your trusty helmet on your head as you lock the front door. If there cause worth fighting for that you believe in, ready yourself. If there is a goal you wish to achieve, steady your blade.

For the dawn of the new year is fast approaching and those ‘resolutions’ need taken care of.

I’m no expert here. ‘Resolutions’ are vast and relentless- shape shifters of many forms and archetypes. Don’t hold yourself to simply spending more time in the gym or running around the neighborhood. That’s a simple goal, although a great one. Set the standards high- retrieve past dreams and current wonders from the depths and shallows of your mind, and pull them close.

These dreams and goals will be your bestest friends throughout the year. That is, until you slay them with a crushing blow from your 84 inch Zweihänder.

You, ready to slay some 'resolutions'

For the past several days, I’ve spent my shower and leisure time contemplating what I want my enemies to be. I’ve settled on several things. My friend Eugene, from City Year, is very fond of lists. As is Alan, as I’ve recently learned from watching many episodes of Two and a Half Men. Taking note of this, I will now unveil my ‘resolutions’.

1: Write.

This includes focusing on the 212 blog more than throughout this semester, and writing creatively throughout other months besides November. Poetry, stories, and blog posts will be the focal points.

2: Novel. 

In November I produced 50,000+ words of my first real attempt at writing a book. It's right before the end of it's first part. For this goal, I would like to edit and condense 'part 1' of my novel, bringing the word count down with strong cutting and rewording to a solid, stable 42,000 words. This story will hopefully end up as a final product near 90,000 words- roughly a 350 page novel. In addition to this, I plan to brainstorm, plan, and research a stronger plot for a more serious novel that I would take more time on, instead of rush.

3: Work.

I would love to direct my summer initiative into the field of scientific research at the University of Arizona.

4: Study.

Roughed up this past semester with a few B's, I don't want that to happen again. I like the clean scent of a fresh A on parchment, and I want to end all my classes in both Spring, and Fall semesters this way. Study is a combo word- meaning first to learn material in a stronger manner, but also be efficient with my time. The time efficiency bit is the key.

5: Exercise.

I think this makes everyone's list. But I was disappointed this semester when I wasn't able to make enough time for workouts. Hopefully I can get in a running groove throughout this next bit of school.

With my goals present and written down, I have to stay focused an sincere as the year progresses. There will be distractions and incredible difficulties, as each and every year possesses them, but I wish not to stray from my goals, my dreams.

May you all have a happy start to 2011.

Don't forget the world of the child. It is good to visit, better to visit often.

-TWO-12

HOORAH!

It is the 30th of November and the end to NaNoWriMo is only an hour and fifteen minutes away!

And I, after much deliberation, have crossed the 50,000 word threshold for my novel!

Huzzah. Hoorah. HOORAY!

Cran-Pomegranate

Writing in NaNo is like running a marathon with your fingers.

And I sat on the rooftops, looking on at the sunset. There is change happening in my life.

With the advent of December comes the fall of November. Some will shave beards. Others will hang up Christmas lights. I, however, will surpass 50,000 words in my novel writing experience.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) has been an invigorating experience. Last year I managed a mere 10,000 words while battling the tired outcomes of long, extended hours as a City Year Corps Member.  This year wasn’t too much different- I trekked through treacherous study periods and essays I deemed less important than my novel. But this year, I passed 10,000 words in no less than five days.

I’m currently sitting atop 48,053 words. Just a little under 2,000 remain, and they will be crushed into my keyboard at a time later in this afternoon. I can’t wait to yell to the sky and say, “I’VE DONE IT,” with reality at the back of my mind telling me that my novel is nowhere near completion. But I’m alright with that. My goal will be reached, and the difficulties of November will be over. For this year, at least.

December brings editing, finals, and the holidays. It’s the conclusion of the fall semester and the conclusion of the 2010 year, in general.

I have to start thinking of a New Year’s Resolution.

As for this blog, it will continue throughout December and into the New Year. I want to take this in more of a writing route and I will be opening up a new link on the top to a page where I will post my writing. Come December 1^st, I’ll need a short break from my novel. But I plan to become serious with my writing, and work toward an eventual publication of a book- as well as several short stories. I’ll see what 2011 brings, as far as that route goes.

Cheers,

-TWO-12