Well, the yellow snowman was duly eaten. The decorations have been taken down, packed away and shoved back into the loft. The boys have gone home/back to uni. My two are preparing (against their will) for their return to school on Tuesday, and I've written a list of what I need to do, in the writing department, for 2009.1. Finish re-writing the last third of HH&S.
2. Edit HH&S - will it ever end! Send it out to agents.
3. Finish the rest of my assignments for my writing course - another 12 to do.
4. Take part in Sally Quilford's character building workshop - I can't wait.
4. Attend the Writers' Holiday at Caerleon in July - A generous birthday treat from my Mother. I can't wait for that either.
5. Redraft BS, TO&L once more, then send them out.
6. Finish S&S.
7. Write and send out short stories - hopefully the course, with the fab Della Galton, at Caerleon will help me strengthen my writing for short stories.
8. Carry on with my research for BF - I'm so looking forward to writing this, as it's a little different to what I've been working on for the past couple of years.
I'm looking forward to 2009, and although I've achieved very little over the Christmas period, I'm going to sit my bum down in front of my ancient laptop and press on, as soon as I've finished this post. However, (just before I go) I desperately need a new laptop, and one that's good to travel with, so I'd be grateful for any tips on good buys that I can look into.
28 comments:
Wow - that's a hell of a list Debs! It sounds fantastic. Good luck with it all and I'm looking forward to Sally's course too :)
You are so organised. I wish I could get organised.
Great list, Debs! And you can definitely do them all.
WOW! What a list. Get stuck in and good luck m'dear TFx
Best of luck with your list Deb, it all sounds very exciting, especially the character building workshop - but I'm biased because I love your workshop posts!
Regarding new laptops, are you a PC or MAC user? If PC, what do you need it for? If it's for games, you'll need something more hi-spec, but if you just want it for internet access and word processing, my partner recommends a Samsung NP-NC10, which is a notebook. Very handy for travelling as it's very small. A step up from that are laptops, which might suit you better if you plan to use it every day as they are a little bigger. Dell have an outlet store where you can order laptops, you won't be able to choose what components you get but it is much cheaper. Check out http://dell.co.uk/outlet. If you like the look of a laptop but want to run it by someone, don't hesitate to email!
I'm exhausted just reading your list - go for it!
Re laptops - love my Toshiba and also my little Acer one. depends on your needs.....good luck hunting.
lx
mummy - thanks. I need lists to prioritize and keep me focused, so here's hoping I manage to get through the damn thing.
I think the course will be so useful for me.
helen - I can only fit everything that I need to do into each day if I'm organized, otherwise I end up doing nothing much at all.
melissa - well, I shall certainly try.
tf - thanks, I'll give it my best.
yvonne - thanks for all this info. I'm a PC user, and don't really want any games on it (anything to deter the young ones getting their mitts on it too). I'll look into these. Thanks so much for your help.
liz - I want something to take away, but also need something on a daily basis too, thanks for the tips.
I echo what Liz says, Acer notebooks are great for portability but you can't expect too much of them. They're perfect for writing on the go, however.
You're going to tick off every single one of those items by the end of the year - am v jealous of Caerleon!
One of my New Year goals is to be organised...hmmm may have a way to go I think.
Very exciting to do list Debs, hope you achieve them all! Good to be back. Also just to let you know, Kat W has been quite unwell. I have told her about the award you gave her and she wanted me to apologise that she has not got back to you yet. She has improved a bit and hopefully will be back in Blogger land soon.
My eldest is reluctant to go back too, although my four year old starts part time on Wednesday and cannot wait!!!
Michelle
x
What a lovely pressie from your Mum. I hope you love it.
I have an IBM ThinkPad which I love. It's portable but does everything else too.
Your list is impressive too. All the best with it.
well done you Debs. Another writing friend of mine is after a laptop - there are a lot of good deals around I think. Try search engine??
Great list Debs and I admire your organisation:-)
And what a great present from your mother!
You might find this fellow blogger's review of her new notebook of interest:
http://www.britgalusa.com/2008/12/bloggerswriters-dream-pc.html
Good luck with the writing in 2009 and in choosing new computer hardware.
Hi Debs. Best of luck with your plan - fantastic to have so much to look forward to !
I love my desktop pc and have never got on well with laptops - but that is probably just me.
Are you thinking about the RNA conference in Penrith in July? Should be fun, even if if is rather a long way from the shed.
Only good times ahead LOL
I can never remember what day you're supposed to take the decorations down :oO
Best of luck with your resolutions, and I can highly recommend the Acer Aspire One £179Netbook for portability (and everything else really) especially if you're mostly going to be writing on it. The keyboard is a surprisingly decent size, and if you save your work onto a memory stick it can be uploaded onto any PC :o))
tam - thanks for the recommendation.
I was thrilled to be able to go to Caerleon this year, and can't wait.
mickmouse - sorry to hear that Kat isn't well, please give her my love and I hope she's back in bloggerland in no time at all.
Hope your four year old enjoys school.
jj - I know, I was delighted to be able to go.
Thanks for the tip, I shall look it up.
flowerpot - I shall. There's so much choice, it gets rather confusing to a dope like me.
lane - thanks.
Isn't she generous, I was thrilled.
east anglian troy - thanks for the tip, I shall have a look.
rayanne - I'm going to book my flights in the next couple of days for the Conference, but as usual will only be able to make the Saturday, as will have to see R's boys (who live up there) and fly back on sunday. Looking forward to it though.
karen - I think the decorations should be down by midnight on 6th Jan, but I could be wrong.
Thanks for the advice, I shall look it up.
Wow! That's quite a 2009 you have planned. I can't wait to read all about it.
What a list! I'm quite sure you'll do it all to. You sound so much more organised than I'll ever be.
ooooo...what a list. I should have goals, I've only got one at the mo - pass degree, lol- maybe I'll do my own list soon.
I went to the 'Writers Aloud' event in the back of beyond a month ago (ish), Della Galton was there giving a workshop. She knows her shit (if you pardon my crude valleys mouth) Gave loads of good advice, especially if your aiming at womags. hope you have a good time in Caerleon!
Leah
Hi Debs,
Just a quick question. You often put little pics of book covers on your blog. How do you do that then?
Ooh, lovely! That's set me up too - I feel energised reading your list. Am interested in the laptop debate as mine is feeling poorly - mind you, I could do with a super-sized bargain as finances are also feeling poorly. Sigh!
Happy New Year Debs and May Your Determination Stay With You!
Hi Debs
Firstly a belated big thank you for my blog award. My latest post explains why it took me so long to thank you. I shall get it uploaded soon.
Sally Quilfords course would be helpful for Niks (Watching 9987) DVD rental shop character comp!
Sounds like you have lots of really fun stuff planned. Great start to the New Year having so much to look forward to.
Kat :-)
chad - well the intention is there, I shall just have to see how well I do at keeping these resolutions up.
claire p - I think it helps not having smaller children any more, they take up so much more time than the older ones do.
swerdnic - I'm really looking forward to having a course with DG, I've only heard good things about her, and need all the help I can get.
claire p - will have a check about pics and comment on your blog to let you know.
chrish - my finances are horrendous at the mo too, isn't it a pain.
jan - same to you, and here's hoping I keep it all up.
katw - glad you liked the award, and I hope you're feeling much better.
I'm looking forward to SQ's course, it should be so useful.
Gosh Debs what an impressive list. I'm feeling inspired for you! I hope 2009 brings you all your dreams especially your writing ones.Fx
I am impressed just reading your list! As for laptops, sorry but can't make any reccomendations. I'd like to buy one too but seems a lot of money for something that is just for me...
I am very impressed with your list...and it looks like you have loads of things to look forward to!!
I usually put together a list of things I would like to achieve this year but at the moment I am just focusing on getting back and getting settled....can't see past that at the moment!!
C x
fionnuala - I'm going to do my best to stick with it.
I hope 2009 will be a wonderful writing year for you too. x
dj kirkby - I really shouldn't be getting one, as I can't really afford it, but I know I will end up justifying it somehow.
carol - thanks. You have more than enough to be coping with at the moment. I hope all the packing and organizing is going well.
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