Why do I keep making resolutions? I never complete them all. For me, they provide structure. While I know I may not accomplish everything I’ve set out to do, I realize that doing something is better than doing nothing. I kept that in mind when I wrote this year’s resolutions.

Last Year’s Resolutions

Here’s what I had resolved to do in 2022:

1. Read 60+ books – I’ve read this much in past years, but usually that was because I read mostly novellas. This year was full of big books like It, combined with several weeks of being under the weather. In all, I read 39.
2. Submit 3 stories to publications/anthologies – Instead, I submitted only 2, but since one of them was accepted, I consider that a win.
3. Submit Generica – After my editor showed me all the rewrites needed, I admit that I abandoned this novella. It’s still on the back burner for when I have the stamina.
4. Write 200+ words a day – I kind of cheated at this by including my journal entries in that number. Still on good weeks, I put in 6,000+ words.

Resolutions for 2023

This year I want to be realistic while pushing myself at the same time. Here’s what I resolve to do in this upcoming year:

1. Read 48+ books – While not as ambitious as last year (a book a week), I really want to put more time into reading, including longer works. Of these 48 books, I want to read at least 10 by Stephen King.
2. The Year of Short Stories – I want to dedicate 2023 to honing the art of the short story. It’s an author’s best training ground, and I’d like to submit at least 5 stories before I return to long fiction.
3. Get back on social media – This past year has been blissfully quiet with no social media. Still, I miss the interaction. With Twitter in its current state, I’m looking elsewhere, including Goodreads, the Keenedom forums, various Discord servers, and possibly Instagram or Facebook.
4. Stop yo-yoing – Ever since I lost 108 pounds in my early 20s, I’ve been yo-yoing the same 15 pounds. My goal is to get down to my fighting weight and stay there.

Top 10 Books of 2023

Finally, I wanted to share my favorite books of the year. As you’ll see below, this was the year of Brian Keene. I rediscovered his work, and I hope to read more this coming year. I should point out that not only is Perdido Street Station number 1 on this list, but it’s one of my favorite books of all time.

1. Perdido Street Station by China Miéville
2. Duma Key by Stephen King
3. The Rising by Brian Keene
4. City of the Dead by Brian Keene
5. Writing in the Dark by Tim Waggoner
6. It by Stephen King
7. Bacon Fried Bastard by David W. Barbee
8. The Cannibal’s Guide to Ethical Living by Mykle Hansen
9. Earthworm Gods by Brian Keene
10. Addicted to the Dead by Shane McKenzie

See you in the new year!

Tchau,

Zé