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I didn’t make a New Year’s resolution this year – don’t worry, I know we’re into March; I’m just thinking back on the year so far. But I did decide that I wouldn’t take on too many new writing assignments so that I could concentrate on the ones already on my plate. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always complaining that I don’t have enough time to spend on my writing projects. Now I can’t say that this decision has given me loads more time – but it has given me more time to concentrate on a couple specific projects. And that has been very worthwhile.
In an effort not to overload and stress myself this year, I’ve also decided that I will make more time to read for my own enjoyment. I got a Kindle a few months ago and it’s great to carry my whole ‘library’ around with me. Whenever I get a free minute I can sit down and open a novel or short story – and I can have as many as I like on the go. (Should I tell you that I’ve been enjoying snippets from our own WA anthology, Foreign Flavours, since it was released recently as an ebook?! I guess that’s too much like marketing so I won’t mention it….) It’s relaxing and stimulating to take this time to read. It leaves me refreshed so that I can go back to my own projects with renewed vigour.
Speaking of reading - the other day I suddenly decided to look back at some of my published short stories. After the initial excitement of seeing a story in print I don’t often read it again. But I got some of them out and started reading. I was pleasantly surprised – while I remembered the plots and writing them, I enjoyed the stories as if I’d never seen them before. This made me think that it would be a good idea for writers to look back at their work more often. We’re usually in editor mode when we re-read our work but, after it’s completed, we should also take time to enjoy and appreciate it. It’s not egotistical to have a sense of accomplishment; it will encourage you as you struggle with the next piece.
So, while I’m ploughing on at my current projects, I’ll also stop sometimes, get out my clippings file and pull out a short story or two - I’ll read them and whoop!
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