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December 29, 2004
2004 in Review
The year is coming to a close and like many others, I’m taking a moment, taking stock of what got accomplished these last twelve months and what didn’t. While I don’t normally do New Year’s resolutions (although I did finally kick biting my nails), it’s nice to set out goals.
Did I accomplish everything I set out to do in 2004? Nope. Could I have been more efficient? Probably.
Starting in the spring, my freelance work slowed down. Deb asked me not to beat the bushes too hard for a bit. She and Robbie were complaining I was “hiding away” in the basement working for too long. And they were right. We had other things to deal with such as Kate’s high school graduation and prep to leave home.
By late summer, it was time to start putting things back into gear. The freelance landscape had shifted a bit, slowed down in many of my regular spots. Pocket was pretty full up on Star Trek ideas and I still had a few on editors’ desk and Rosen’s new season of books was still being developed.
I tinkered a bit on the original fantasy that I still want to work on, totally ignored the mainstream novel that’s been dormant for too long. What I discovered is that when left to my own devices, I putter too long and don’t maximize my working time. I need deadlines and targets. If anything improves in 2005, it’ll be that.
In the fall I found a lead on a new non-fiction project and finally have an outline in shape so need to do the sample chapter. So that’ll be my first target followed by finishing the fershlugginer novel outline, especially since two different editors have expressed interest in the project.
I’ve already started looking after myself with the gym and three months in, I don’t rival Jack LaLanne but I feel better as I add more weight to the equipment. So far so good.
There remain books to read, movies to watch and the like, but that’ll never change. Social engagements with friends need to be scheduled, got one for early February already so I’m making the effort.
Various storage places around the house need attention so we need to schedule some weekends to tackle that. Winter is good for that since it means Deb is free from tinkering in her garden. I’d like things to be a little less cluttered, a little more organized.
As for DC, it’s been a pretty good year. Many of my accepted ideas saw print, several of which have already gone back to press for additional printings. I tried some new projects, which felt good. Probably could have been busier but that’s just the ebb and flow of these collections.
In looking back, it’s been full and busy, mainly satisfying, marginally frustrating in spots. Nothing disastrous happened and nothing life-changing (for me anyway) occurred. We survived Kate moving out to college and Robbie getting his license.
In all, a solid year. With luck, 2005 will be a little bit better in all ways.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at December 29, 2004 11:13 AM
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Comments
I can relate on the deadlines and targets thing. I work the same way. And if you need any suggestions on places to find good storage and organizational stuff, just yell. Keith and I have been doing the "organize the storage space" routine for a month or two now, and it looks like we're a couple of days away from finally getting it done. :)
Good resolutions, all of them. Good luck. :)
Posted by: Terri Osborne at December 29, 2004 11:36 AM