Chris Blocker

As promised in my previous post, my plans for 2014...

Reading

I hope to read about 70 books this year. Last year I read mostly new authors and newly published works. This year, I want to return to some of my favorites (Malamud, Tolstoy, Naylor, Mishima), as well as read those books I promised to read in 2013 (my 2013 shortlist). I'd also like to read more of the books I own--my shelves are full with books, a small percentage of which I have read; I'd like to make it through more of those this calendar year.

With David Mitchell's new release The Bone Clocks scheduled for release in September, and my desire to read his entire body of works in order prior to then, expect my shelves to be Mitchell-heavy this year. Other new releases I'm anticipating include Hannah Pittard's Reunion and Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See.

Writing

My primary goal is get my novel done and out there. Largely, it is completed, but there's considerable tweaking to be done. This year I want to finish the editing, get some more feedback, and get it into the hands of some agents.

Additionally, I'd like to get out from under my novel this year. These past five years, I've been so buried by The Weeds Shall Inherit that I've neglected my other writing. I want to return to some of my previously written short stories and poems, rework them and submit them for publication. I want to write some new pieces and maybe start researching and planning for my next novel. I would like to get involved once again in social media, blogging, and the real world, i.e. maintaining actual friendships.

'rithmetic

In the words of the Clan, I plan to make "Dolla, dolla bill ya'll!"

C.R.E.A.M.

And now that I've put it in writing, it all must come to pass.