Some new goals!

Hi! I know, I know... I have been a bit spaced out lately. But I have some good news. I am finally feeling some much needed relief from the pain in my neck and arms (from the accident). It is really nice to be able to turn my head without lightning bolts running down my arms! I am still having lots of issues with my middle back and the doctor said injuries like this usually take 7-9 months of work to get better. Yikes! :)

Regardless, I am keeping an open mind and a positive attitude. Accompanying that attempted attitude I find that I have changed a lot. My thought process is changing and my ability to think has been enhanced. Some of my interests have changed. And, within the limited space between my ears ideas have been percolating. Now they have morphed into something new and suddenly I find myself on the verge of some crazy place. All of this kinda makes me happy:)

So, here are a few of my thoughts, dreams and goals. Not in that order.

1. I am considering entering the 10th annual Writers Digest Short Story Competition. I have my own personal feelings about competitions but regardless, I feel strongly about entering this one. I have the perfect story in mind to write and it is only 1000 words. The deadline is December 1, 2009 so that gives me about seven weeks to write and polish the story. Sounds like fun to me!
2. I want to participate in NaNoWriMo (just sound it out). Unbeknown to most Americans, November is National Novel Writing Month. You can visit their website at http://www.nanowrimo.org/. The goal is to write a novel (at least 50,000 words) in 30 days. It is quite a challenge and everyone that I have heard talk about this, both, suggests it and truly enjoy it. Well, this year I want in! I am planning on using my current manuscript (I am approximately 21,000 words) and adding 50,000 more in November. That would take way past 50% of the first draft. You might recall that my end goal is 120,000 words. So, I am going to see if I can make this work, then I will join the NaNoWriMo community for this incredible experience.
   
3. I am seriously considering starting a writing podcast. I LOVE Mur Lafferty's "I should be writing" podcast. Just this past week she had her 4th anniversary (or birthday?) and talked about the huge change that it has made in life and her career. I have been searching for additional podcasts that are good on writing, but alas there are few. So, why not produce one? Perhaps this idea will turn into something great.
4. I had another one, but it has dissipated. Perhaps it will return...

I have had lots of new story ideas growing in my head recently. More ideas than I have time to write. I gotta do something to move these onto paper faster. But that is the challenge isn't it. The craft takes time. LOTS of time. My wife rightly recommended that I cut more media from my life. She is right, she usually is (don't rub this in my face later, Love). This will be hard. Wish me luck.
Ammon