Checking up on my Goals

2011 is more than halfway over, a good a time as any to reevaluate and realign my goals, don't you think? You don't? Oh well.

Goal 1.) Exercise three times a week, only treat myself to fast food one day a week.
How I'm doing) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. HA. Not off to a good start, though I dance to Just Dance 1 and 2 at least once a week, but that's about it, and fast food, I don't want to say. I'm thinking of doing the HGC diet, I'll let you know if I go through with it. You'll likely be able to tell if I'm suddenly typing thinner, or hypothesize about how many of you I would murder for a Klondike bar.

Goal 2.) Finish a second draft of "Prince Pert's Perilous Quest for the Perfect Princess." And write a new story for NaNoWriMo. Also participate in Script Frenzy.
How I'm doing) Nada on Prince Pert, I think I'll switch that goal and just transcribe it to computer first, it's still in handwritten form only. I chose to write my novella "The Friends of Henry Paris" instead of Script Frenzy. Since Henry Paris I haven't written any fiction except for the more believable stories on this blog, I'm getting the itch to write again, it's just a matter of time management now.

Goal 3.) Read a bedtime story to Morgan most nights.
How I'm doing) Reading the bedtime story? Not very well. However, when I put him to sleep lately I've been telling him stories, his favorites seem to be Moby and the Beanstalk and Goldilocks and the three bears (mamma bear, papa bear and moby bear). I embellish and change some facts in the stories to keep myself interested and he doesn't seem to mind. I may not be instilling him with a love of reading yet, but I hopefully am instilling him with a love of storytelling as well as knowing his father loves him.

Goal 4.) Get A's in all my classes, buy Adobe CS5 and don't skip class.
How I'm doing) Despite some teacher giving me a C+ even though I turned in the best assignments in the class (not just according to me, but most of my classmates) I've done fairly well, even getting 100 in my photography final assignment (that few of you have commented on...) I also bought Adobe CS5 and love it.

Goal 5.) Read a book a month.
How I'm doing) It was somewhat wavy at first, but since I rediscovered books on CD and Provo library has improved their selection, it's getting easier and easier. I'm on my seventh book now, the fourth book on CD and on a bit of a marathon of books read by the author.

Those are my goals, so far so decent, about 2.5 out of 5 but the year ain't over yet, nor is my use of impropper grammar and speling!

Book 6 of 12: On Writing

I've wanted to read On Writing for several years now, at least since right before I bought it. Being easily distracted and what's that! I haven't made time to read it. No more. While looking for books on CD at the Provo library with the stipulation that the book must look both short and interesting, I saw On Writing and snatched it up. Then I listened to it. It was read by the author which I'm quickly deciding is the best way to listen to a book. I've read two books by Stephen King thus far and this was by far my favorite. I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a fan, not because he's not a gifted writer but just because I've only read a couple Stephen King books and I don't think it right to group myself with those who have read Carrie and Misery when I've only read the Eyes of the Dragon and The Gunslinger. I'd say I'm an admirer.

Enough about the man, onto the book. While it's true a large percentage, at least 50% of the book is more memoir on how he became a writer and perhaps more interestingly, how he became Stephen King. That portion was interesting, listening to the man read his work was a delight, but the book truly shown when he finally started giving advice and tips on writing and on writing well.

So many reviewers say the same thing about so many writing books it's almost cliche, but this book I would really say is one of the only ones of its kind you need on your shelf. I've read more books on writing than I care to say (10-15 probably) and this by far was the most helpful and most enjoyable one I've read by far. It's a treat to read and filled with useful insightful information.

If only reading books on writing actually made you better. Guess I have to get back in the habit and start writing again for real!

5 for 5 stars.