It’s that time of year again when we are plagued by folks wanting to know our upcoming goals and resolutions for 2008. Have you thought about them yet?  I haven’t, other than what I want to accomplish in terms of my writing. How about a continuation of all the goals from last year, i.e. clear out closets, sort photographs, clean house, stay in touch with friends, and the perennial favorite–do more exercise. I’d have a lot more to say regarding writing goals, with all sorts of new things to learn. My motto is, If you stop learning, you stop living.  Your brain turns to mush if it isn’t exercised, same as your muscles. I could do crossword puzzles or play online chess, but instead I’d rather plot another story. Steeping my mind in a book keeps me fresh and alert  It also keeps me healthy because I’ll daydream about what my characters should do in the next scene instead of worrying about things I can’t control. And let us not forget the benefits of reading. For mental exercise, reading is ahead of television where you sit passively staring at the screen. In contrast, when digesting a work of fiction, you create mental pictures, which is a true gift  A bunch of words, and they turn into images in your mind. Incredible! What other species can do this? Get off the computer and pick up a book right now. And resolve to read even more next year.                        

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!  MAY 2008 BRING YOUR DREAMS INTO REALITY.