Unspoken Dreams

I’ve had a busy couple of weeks with my head all but buried in a new short story which has grown to novella size and before it’s done may very well turn into a novel.  This is one that I actually wrote an outline for–something I hardly ever do–and the characters have just taken over the story, refusing to let it end at the word limit I had planned for it.  I love it when that happens, but I’m told it’s a very bad habit for an author to pick up.  Oh well…

In between the writing frenzy, all the madness of getting ready for Christmas, and dealing with a flare-up of the MS, I’ve been thinking about New Year’s resolutions.  It’s a little bit early I know, but someone asked me the other day where I wanted to be in five years in regards to my writing.  I won’t say I’ve never thought about it, because I have, but truthfully, not very much.  I mean, I have a sketchy-at-best plan, and sure, I’d like to hit the best-seller list one day–what writer wouldn’t?–but…goals, well, ick.

And really, it’s not so much the setting of the goal as it is the setting of a time limit.  That just doesn’t work for me.  I mean, I’m okay if someone else sets the deadline, but when I set them for myself, I almost never meet them.  Don’t know why that it is, but it is, and so I’ve learned not to say I’m going to do something in a set amount of time–which is, essentially, what a New Year’s resolution is.  Right?

The thing is…like goals and self-set deadlines, New Year’s resolutions don’t work for me.  I’ve made them in the past, but for the most part, they were forgotten and/or never attained.  So, if resolutions are your thing, I say, “go for it.”

As for me, I’ll stick with those unspoken dreams that are held close to my heart and shared only if and when I reach them.  Those work so much better for me.

Here We Go Again…

No, I’m not talking about another e-publisher biting the dust–although there have been some recent rumblings about trouble at one of the more established houses, but that’s all they are right now…distant rumbles and we’ll have to wait to see how it plays out–what I’m talking about here is football.  Next to baseball, football is my sport of choice.  What’s my favorite team?  Well, hmm, that’s a problem for me.

I’m a big fan of the New England Patriots and have been ever since 2001 when Tom Brady replaced an injured Drew Bledsoe in a game against the New York Jets.  Brady wasn’t spectacular, but he caught my eye and I remember telling my husband he was going to take the Pats to the Super Bowl.  It was just a little feeling I had.  Well, who doesn’t like to be proved right?  I do and so, the Pats became a favorite.

But…I also like the Indianapolis Colts for the same reason–their quarterback.  You see, I’m from Knoxville, Tennessee, and anybody who grows up in Knoxville knows that the only team in town is the UT Vols.  Up until we moved to Maine, my husband and I used to have season tickets and I watched Peyton Manning play many a game at Neyland Stadium.  He was a favorite too, not just because he was a good football player, but for the fact that he turned down a chance to go pro and stayed with UT during his senior year.  That doesn’t happen very often and I really liked him for that.

So now, as I have for the last six years, I find myself not knowing who to cheer for, the Pats or the Colts.  And a lot of Pats fans don’t understand that.  In fact, I’d say most Pats fans don’t understand it.  Manning is arguably their most hated opponent and saying I like him and his team is…well…them’s fightin’ words to some people.

The thing is…for me, it’s a win-win situation.  I’m pretty sure they’re going to be playing each other in the post-season, just like they have in years past.  Peyton won last year, so maybe this year it’s Tom’s turn.  Who knows?

All I know is I can’t wait for the Super Bowl.  Not only am I pretty sure one of my favorite quarterbacks will be there, but when it’s all over and done with, it won’t be long until spring training starts.  Yay!