Monday, December 31, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR



Welcome to the beginning of a new year.  This last year was a very good year.  I didn't read as many books as I would have liked to have read.  My school year was busier than ever.  I did have some favorite books this year.

Oliver Neubert has become by far my favorite author of the year.  I had the privilege of reading six of his books.  I'm looking forward to reading more this next year and in the future.


Another one of my favorite authors is Max Elliot Anderson.  His ability to write for boys and hold their attention makes his books a definite asset to my classroom.  So far I've read the books below.




Then there were two new authors I had the privilege of reading.



All of these are authors I highly recommend.  They are much more than just authors I read and recommend.  They have books that I am looking at from a writer's perspective.    I believe I can learn so much from them.

I have two books that are half finished.  Both of them are books that I worked on last year and this year through NaNoWriMo.  However, as usual, through heavy editing I have had to cut out at least half.  I must finish them this year.

 I am setting a goal of writing a minimum of 5,000 words a week.  I am in charge of so much at school this year that this seems like a goal I can reach.  That doesn't mean I won't push myself to write more.

I am going to go for 150 books to read this year.  I missed my goal by 17 books this year.

I have set one other goal for myself.  I need to work on promoting my books more.  So far I have a book signing set up for January and a two day festival in March.  I have been told that in years past they've had 10,000 +  people go through.  They draw people in by booking acts such as the Wallendas.  It helps I live in Sarasota, Florida, home of John Ringling.

I am working on edits for a picture book as well.  Believe it or not I have found picture books to be much harder than novels.  My students have encouraged me to gather up the poetry I've written for the last three years and and start preparing it for a poetry book.    There is so much I want to do this next year.  I know it is going to be great.  Hopefully we will have a new place to move to in the next few weeks so I can get a new office set up.  I'm not letting that hold me back.

I hope you have a wonderful New Year.  Write back and tell me what some of your goals or resolutions are for this next year.  Tell me about some of your favorite books of 2012.

1 comment:

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