Say as little as possible on social media. An imperative.
Expect less from the publishing world, whatever that is, but expect more of myself in what I write.
Mute the TV during ads.
Once again swear to get healthier, once again have some calamitous tooth problem that throws it all off track, before once again saying “Fuck it” and eating brownies all the time.
Go to AWP in February and not come away saying “That’s the last one of those I go to,” because I’ve said it before and didn’t stick to it.
Now, Bouchercon? That’s a whole nother kettle o’ fish. Not interested.
Avoid any clique that will have me as a member.
At some point this year, I will buy a $100+ bottle of wine and drink it. I swear. Not to make it a habit or anything, but just to see if it’s worth it. And before you say, “That’s a huge waste of money,” as long as the money is going to support a small business (as a lot of these wineries are), plus the wages of the employees at the liquor store who shelved and sold it, it’s no waste.
I will not be buying this $100+ buying at a restaurant, though, because what happens there is you buy a $40 bottle for $100 because the waiter has to pour it for you.
I will draw more, and I will realize it’s okay to draw more for no reason other than I felt like it, not “I’m going to self-publish a comic!”
Likewise, I will give up on the idea of writing more screenplays because they’re boring.
I am aiming my “dream journals” submission cannon at: Southwest Review, trampset, ExPat Press, Unnerving Magazine, Vlad Mag, and Alien Magazine.
There are more, of course, but I’m not trying to scattergun this thing.
Try to eliminate Coca-Cola from my life. Try try try. (I will obviously fail, but even less is somewhat a victory).
Not have a heart attack (2024 is the ten-year anniversary of my widowmaker).
Watch the Ocean’s trilogy about ten more times.
Onward to 2024! I hope it’s a good one, without any fear.
That's an awesome list. I support the $100 wine - and the no heart attack thing.
Is Substack social media if comments are allowed?