52 Novels: My year in review

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I typically shy away from these sorts of things. Why? Because I tend to view my life much the way other people view their own: rather mundane. Who wants to read about my boring old life?

Then I figured, “What the heck?”

Of course, my year in review is coming from the writerly/readerly perspective. It is, after all, why I began doing this thing a year ago. What I didn’t expect is that I’d take the time to write about other things… at least not like this.

So let’s take a look.

Reading books

I’ve always been a reader. The problem was making time to actually do the reading. In the past that meant fifteen minutes here and there throughout the day, usually on my commute and before I went to sleep.

Doing it that way, I might have been able to finish fifteen or twenty books a year. Plus, I’m a slow reader, unlike my wife and my mom. They aren’t Evelyn Wood fast, but they plow through stuff at what seems like twice the rate I do. So when I decided to read a novel a week, I thought I was doing something rather ambitious.

I still think that… but for different reasons.

First, given that I do read slowly, more than doubling my annual output represents a big leap forward. Try doubling your income or work output or the frequency by which you exercise. It’s a tall order.

I started the year fast, reading five and sometimes six books a month. I slowed considerably as the year plodded forward. This happened for two reasons. The first is that I realized I was going to have no problems reaching my goal. The second was that I spent a lot of free time that I’d used for reading to work on my business.

The only thing I regret is that I didn’t follow through on writing the reviews. I read some really good stuff. I also read some stinkers. That said, I didn’t always feel comfortable after I wrote bad reviews. I figure I plan to be the person getting the review one day. Karma being what it is… I decided to shut my mouth.

Second, according to Harvey Mackay:

Only fourteen percent of adults with a grade-school education read literature in 2002.
Fifty-one percent of the American population never reads a book over 400 pages after they complete their formal educations.
The average American reads only eight hours a week… that includes material from all source: books, magazines, newspapers, the phone book, and so forth.
If you read just one book a month for twelve consecutive months, you’ll be in the 75th percentile of all the intellectuals in the world.

I’d seen these stats elsewhere, so I know Mackay isn’t pulling our collective leg with those numbers.

A couple of days ago I compared myself to Kristin Dodge and used it to poke fun at myself. Granted, what she did was Herculean by most everyone’s standards.

Looking at my book-a-week thing—while it wasn’t particularly novel (HA!)—it was beefy in its own right. I’ll read a novel a week for as long as I continue to enjoy it.

Writing stories

This was interesting year for me and my writing. I didn’t send out as much as I wanted to send out, nor did I meet my goal of selling two stories. Two doesn’t sound like a lot and it isn’t. I didn’t think it was a lot when I set the goal last year, either.

Instead of making excuses for not meeting this goal, of which I could make plenty, I’ll instead set new goals and try again.

I did post one of the stories I submitted and had intended to do the same with the others I wrote. In the end, I decided I’d keep them myself. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed of them nor do I think they’re not worth posting. On the contrary. I’m just a little concerned about rights and content thieves.

As a result, I’ve got them in my pocket and the world may see them eventually.

On the whole, I have to admit that I’ve lacked confidence in my storytelling this last year (although I find that my writing in general has gotten better and I’m developing a voice that I’m fairly pleased with). I read over and over that ~~many~~ ~~most~~ all of us struggle with confidence, too. So I got that goin’ for me, which is nice.

Thanks

As I write this post I have a grand total of sixteen subscribers. Well, fifteen because I’m one of the subscribers. I’ve had a handful more during the last twelve months and a lot less, too.

To be honest, I’m not exactly sure why you tune in here, but I’m grateful. So, thanks! I hope you continue to subscribe. And if you could pass the word along to others you think might enjoy reading what I have to say, I’d like that, too.

So here’s to 2006 and the 52 novels I read along the way.

Here’s to the other writers I’ve met.

Here’s to the readers.

Here’s to everyone who’s been so enormously giving of their time and expertise.

And here’s to another 52 Novels in 2007.

Tags: On reading, On writing, Ramblins