Happy Christmas…

Posted by bencooper | Filed under General, News

I have a nasty habit of becoming a bit (more) moody and introspective at this time of the year. Maybe it’s the cold weather, or the short days and long nights stopping me from exercising and keeping me inside vegetating and giving me lots of time to think. Or perhaps it’s natural to reflect on the year gone by and weigh it up with the 20/20 vision of retrospect. The problem (if it is one) isn’t helped by my natural “Grinchiness” about Christmas, stomping about complaining about the rampant commercialism and how it separates us from what is supposed to be important about this time of year. Why it’s only important for 12 days at the end of the year I’m not sure, surely we want to show goodwill to all and connect with family and friends throughout the year? But for me it seems that whatever Christmas is supposed to be about it was high-jacked long ago…anyway that’s another post entirely and in case anyone feels the need to defend Christmas I really don’t hate it or anything, it just seems all rather cynical these days. But I suppose it is what you make of it, and you can choose to have Christmas without all the rubbish that now comes with it.

Anyway, as the year comes to an end I’ve been thinking a lot about what this year has yielded, what I’ve achieved, what I didn’t and how I can change that in the new year. Looking back on it it’s actually been one hell of a year. I graduated from university as a mature student, then landed a great job out of the blue while many of my third year cohort are temping, signing on to the dole or struggling through PGCEs and the like. I’ve created (along with my amazing partner Kate) a new life that’ll be joining use kicking and screaming (hopefully not too much) in 2010, I can’t wait to meet her. I interviewed one of my favourite musicians, Kip Winger, who was an awesome dude and has just released an awesome album with the band. And there have been other minor things: getting my fiction out there, albeit to the free on-line markets; seeing my “adopted” grandma for the first time in about 8 years having said I would several times a years since my last visit and other things that aren’t of interest to you, but are to me.

And the bad?

Having stories rejected; feeling constantly knackered from May through to October thanks to the new job and all the stress that comes with it; beinig incredibly grouchy and moody because of said stress (sorry Kate x); not doing enough writing, of either fiction or my non-fiction book project; having the non-fiction book project rejected by a few publishers (in a really nice way, the book wasn’t for them but that is has potential and someone is bound to take it soon, so that wasn’t too bad); losing faith in the project because of my not-quite-thick-enough skin…and so on.

On balance it really has been a great year and as it comes to an end I’m determined to get my fiction out there, improve it and get it into some of the better markets. I’ve also got other projects that I’d like to investigate: a novel that was started and needs finishing; a story I’d like to adapt into a short film; more freelance writing for other magazines.

But the one I’m most looking forward to: my daughter. If nothing else goes right in 2010 I know she’ll be perfect!

I guess my point is that, even if this year hasn’t been great there were probably more good things than you instantly remember, and even if you’re as cynical and downbeat as me use this time to re-connect with friends, spend time with your family and think about how you can make 2010 the best year of your life (so far).

Happy Christmas!

Ben

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Permalink | December 18th, 2009

One Response to “Happy Christmas…”

  1. Leigh Barlow Says:
    January 1st, 2010 at 10:08 am

    That doesn’t sound like too bad a year to me, but I’m naturally upbeat about most things. It sounds like you’ve got plenty of stuff to get stuck into in 2010. Fingers crossed you get at least one of the novels finished (you’ll have plenty of spare time at night when you’re sat next to the baby’s cot in the middle of the night ;) ) and as well as those rejections you get some accpetances.

    Have a great one.