Resolutions vs Objectives

Well, 2009 is here and like most people I think about resolutions for the New Year. Of late I've come to believe that resolutions are doomed to failure as soon as they are made; so I choose to set yearly objectives.

So, you may ask, what's the difference? Well, a resolution is defined as: A resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something. An objective, on the other hand, is something that one's efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish. I've never seen anyone develope a plan for a resolution. Objectives on the other hand usually involve some sort of plan or course of action. So that being said, here are a list of my objectives for 2009.

1. Stop procratinating and WRITE! My style of late has been prolonged periods of procrastination, intermixed with frenetic periods of writing. The problem is obvious, the former out numbers the latter.

2. Expand my network of writers and people in the industry. I've already started on this one by signing up on facebook.com and building my list of friends.

3. Take time to touch bases with old friends.

4. Finish the novel I started last fall!

Tom Peters, a reknowned motivational speaker, once stated, "If you have more than three or four objectives and/or priorities, you have none..." So there are my four objectives for 2009. How will I achieve them? That's a topic for another blog!

Great Forum To Meet Writers

I recently joined Facebook.com and was amazed at how many writers are using this terrific networking tool. If you aren't already on it you should check it out at http://www.facebook.com. Best of all it's free!

New On-Line Mag Seeking Submissions

The Litchfield Literary Review, a semi-annual on line publication, is preparing to launch this fall. We need your work to fill our pages.

We seek works about New England, or on any subject written by New England based writers. We pay $5.00 per accepted submission and only accept e-mailed submissions. Writers are welcomed to submit up to three pieces at one time. We welcome short fiction of less then 6,000 words, non-fiction, flash fiction, one act plays, ten-minute plays, interviews, book reviews and essays.

We respect writers and will reply to all submissions in a timely manner. Honest. We acquire first time publication rights, but all rights revert to the author after publication. Authors are invited to include a bio and a photo, which will be published with their work, if they so choose.
Please send work to Submissions@Thelitchfieldliteraryreview.com. Remember to include a snail mail return address so we can forward a check to you should we run your work.

Times Running Out!

The New England CrimeBake is a month away and the registration period during which applicants can receive discounted fees is fast ending. Sign up ASAP if you'd like to save a few bucks (and who doesn't these days).

Are You The UNKNOWN WRITER?

The Unknown Writer

By
Ronnie Jay
© 2004

I’m an unknown writer
Creative as they come
But, there’ll come a day, I dare say
I’ll be a famous one

I’ll write a #1 best-seller
And oh, the riches it will bring
It’ll sell more in every bookstore
Than Grisham, Crichton or King

I know you won’t believe me
And I can’t make you a believer
But, if I don’t believe in myself
No one else will either

Yes, I know it sounds impossible
To reach those heights of fame
And I realize that I may never
Be a household name

But, it doesn’t really matter
If my dreams do or don’t come true
I’m still gonna keep on writing
Because that’s what writers do

Level Best to launch annual anthology at New England Crime Bake

The New England Crime Bake, writer/reader conference will be upon us soon, November 14 through 16. Among the many events being offered, Level Best Books will be launching its latest annual anthology of crime stories by New England authors. This year's anthology is entitled DEADFALL and includes my story, Bagging The Trophy. Also included will be stories by such well known New England writers as Stephen Rogers and the as yet unannounced winner of Crime Bake's annual Al Blanchard Award. DEADFALL will be available for purchase at the conference.



This year's keynote at the conference is Harlan Coburn and will include a sneak preview of the film based on his novel, TELL NO ONE. Serious writers may also want to check out the Master Classes being taught by accomplished New England authors: Hallie Ephron, Peter Abrahams and Gary Braver.



Registration is open to any and all who are interested in the mystery/thriller/true crime genres; but don't delay as the master classes are filling up and the early bird discount expires on October 1. You can register by going to http://crimebake.org/.

New England Crime Bake

The New England Crime Bake Conference is coming up sooner than it may seem! The conference is at the Hilton in Dedham, MA the weekend of November 14. If you want to be part of the master classes, manuscript evaluations and one-on-one agent pitches you should go to Crimebake.org and register soon.

As is usual for the conference, the keynote speaker is yet another BIG name in mystery writing, Harlan Coburn. The hotel has a limited number of rooms available at a reduced coinference rate so, don't ptocrastinate, register now.