Hello, 2023

Writing resolutions and happy news to share / Issue 1,156

Oh, hi friends!

How are you? How’s your year? 

Have you already been “circled back” to death? 

Have you made and shared and adjusted your resolutions?

Last year I debated about my “word of the year” for two weeks, and wrote down my goals according to categories (creative, emotional, financial, physical) and routines that would help me fulfill those goals. 

But then? Last year, on a creative and professional level, was…not good. 

And so this year, I thought: Why repeat the same routines?

Instead, I’ve spent these weeks cleaning and clearing out the old and imagining the year I want to have — the year I will have. I’ll share my new and slightly skewed approaches to the New Year over the next week. 

Because I am feeling all the potential and excitement and drive and momentum, just in a different and directed way. 

Basically, I’ve run out of excuses for why I haven’t done X or Y and know a Google Doc of resolutions is not It for me. So I’m reminding myself of one thing: my own damn potential.

Remember that? YOUR OWN DAMN POTENTIAL. It is there and it is deep.

Hold on to that.

Oh and perhaps the best thing to share with you as we discuss new beginnings: Colin and I got married at City Hall two weeks ago!!! It was a very cold, blue-sky, perfect day. Some photos over here if you’d like to see us closing 2022 on a high note and happily living out the ethos of “doing it today.” (How on brand! <3)

This is going to be an excellent year. For you and me and all of us.

Can you feel it?

12 Resolutions for Writing in 2023, According to Kara Cutruzzula*

1. Cutting 10, 100, or 1,000 words will only make it better.

2. Remember that no one will care as much as you do about the details. This is good. Own your details.

3. “Looks great to me” is the death of collaboration. There is always a way to make it better.

4. If writing is not on your calendar, you will not do it. So please put it on your calendar.

5. David Sedaris rewrites an essay 12 to 18 times before handing it to an editor. You admire David Sedaris, so you should follow his example.

6. Words that are not your friends: even, just, of course.

7. Do you really need that em-dash?

8. Take a moment to discover the more interesting verb.

9. If you can feel the adjective in a sentence, delete it.

10. Lyrics shouldn’t have commas. The singer can’t sing a comma, and the audience can’t hear a comma. Say goodbye to commas.

11. If you don’t feel like writing, try typing.

12. Clarity above all.

*These may or may not be applicable to your own writing life, but I encourage you to write your own!

Emma Thompson Is an International Treasure

Matilda the Musical on Netflix is excellent. Please enjoy!