Hey there, Happy New Year! Across social media—both in my open and closed networks—friends all around the globe are sharing their best wishes, past year’s achievements, and this year’s goals.
Staring out at the rain-drenched day, I’m struck by how it won’t make any difference to the magpies who’ve made their homes in the sycamore trees outside my window. It’s still going to be dark, wet, miserable and leafless—and unfortunately for the poor birds, it looks like it’ll be that way all week.
I’m also a little worried: one of the calendula plants on our balcony has opened two new orange flowers. In particular, I’m worried about what this means. Calendula typically blooms between June to October—it’s the first day of January. I have no doubt it will adapt, I suppose it’s now become a perennial. We’ll have to wait and see.
I’d be the first to admit that I don’t have the best written goals. Mine are a messy melange of milestones, habits I’ve been building up, and a hodgepodge list of all the things I have to get done. I do like this suggested approach from the Guardian of “not trying too hard”. This year, I’d like to just let go a little and make space for play and serendipity, especially in improving my writing craft.
Recent rabbit-holes
A bit of time off the day-job during the festive period makes it ripe for burrowing down rabbit-holes. Recent ones include:
A deep-dive into trans-Neptunian objects. It’s less random than it seems. In particular, I’m rather fascinated by how Haumea’s rapid 4-hour rotation resulted in its unique shape. (Yes, I can’t help thinking of a well-tumbled pebble on a beach.)
The astounding images on Astrobin. I gawked at these for quite some time.
Quotes by Carl Sagan, especially ones that might have been misattributed. A couple of weeks ago, I drafted a blogpost as part of the anthology launch for Solarpunk Creatures (soon to be released on January 16 by World Weaver Press) where I referenced his use of the word “star-stuff”. A few quotes out in the wild use the word “stardust” without citing any sources. I’m trying not to think how much time I might have whiled away just trying to work out which is actually correct.
Quotes about first drafts — because I always need to be reminded that the job of the first draft is to exist.
Re-reading “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency” for the eight time, because writing consistently funny is something I’d like to get good at. The last time I picked up this book must have been about twenty years ago. I was a bit slow on the uptake, unfortunately; it wasn’t until the seventh read before I figured out how the couch got stuck.
May 2024 bring you fresh hope, a renewed sense of wonder, and dreams that come true, and may you be continually blessed with new things to look forward to.