This is, of course, where I retrospect, elegantly, no doubt while clad in satin pyjamas and sipping espresso from a Wedgewood coffee cup.
I won’t disillusion you, the reality is far too squalid for a sunlit New Year’s morning. Let’s just say, Rita Hayworth does not belong in the same sentence as Vicks.
And I do not know what to say about 2006. The year I became, finally, so cynical and fed up I found myself merely going ‘huh,’ at the News, rather than breaking into my usual ten minute full-volume rant on the personal integrity and intelligence of the smug politician leaning back in the chair and circumlocuting the question. Though I did have a highly therapeutic and energising shout at the Archbishop of Canterbury’s New Year’s Message yesterday morning, spineless platitudinising disappointment that he is. So perhaps 2007 will be the Year of Passionate Re-Engagement [Ooh, yes, watch Reed bore entire pubfuls of the politically apathetic into going out and voting just to get her to Shut. Up. - Ed].
I had tried to keep this blog ‘pure’ [’monotone’] by trying to stick to the subject of all that is writery and leave my political views out of it. You know, so as not to annoy anyone or find my comments full of people I really rather liked telling me what a raving asswipe I am. [You big jessie]. I have also utterly failed to do any of that book reviewing I kept muttering about, for much the same reason. I think my need to be liked is turning me into a giant rice pudding.
NaNoWriMo rather rubbed my face in that. I didn’t have time to run through my usual mental check-list of ‘is this too smug? Too culture-vulture? Too prim? Nobody’s going to like the female lead except me, are they?’ I did find the male lead unbelievably tedious. I couldn’t work out why. I ran out of time to work out why and had to keep going. He became increasingly interesting to me. Good, thought I. I wonder why? And then, over Christmas, the dispiriting truth dawned. He had been so insufferably blank because I had carefully amputated any character trait I thought The Readers wouldn’t like [And who the hell are you going to show this novel to, if not A Reader? Market realism, my petal]. Being me, I am not talking of the usual unpleasant traits detectives are supposed to suffer from, such as alcoholism, world-weary foul temper, a tendency to live on takeaway and be vile to their side-kick, insubordination, un-PC language and attitudes, border-line personality disorders, and being nevertheless devastatingly attractive to posh bints. Oh no. My ‘tec was shy, quiet, bookish, good with children, somewhat depressed and lacking in self-esteem, and rather sly and secretive. He can also cook, and eats salad. So of course, I was trying to make him more ’sexy’, more obviously troubled and angry when he is naturally sulky, more ‘me against the world’ when actually he quite likes his bosses, more rock’n'roll’n'whiskey when really, truly, he’s quite keen on Science Fiction and mocha lattes. He is genuinely nice and diffident, and the story arises out of the moral problem of being nice and diffident when faced with a story of two generations of illicit passion and thirty-five years of repressed rage, anxst and lust. In rushing to the finish, I just had to let him read Lord Dunsany and eat chocolate and quote from The Screwtape Letters.
[Is this not getting a little long-winded?]
So, the point is, this point that I am finally, digressively, getting about to making, is, err, if you lot don’t mind, of course, and it’s not too much trouble, my New Year’s Resolution could be to just expand the remit of this blog a little, and, maybe, opinionate a tad. And should any of you lot disagree with me, rejoice and vociferate, for there shall be Thinking, and possibly even a Changing of Minds. And less rice-pudding and tepid fretting about just how very cute I am, or am not, or could be, or would be, or should be.
*hug*
I found 2006 a year where I became more cynical.
Good luck with your new project - more opinions is really a good thing to be honest…
Left by Z on January 1st, 2007
I look forward to reading your opinionations.
May 2007 bring you all you wish.
Left by Teuchter on January 1st, 2007
Yes! Lots of opinions, please!
One problem I have found in my writing is that there are areas I’m “afraid” to tackle for fear of offending anyone. These are areas I have had to face square on as I have been redrafting. One of them is to write honestly about my background. Another is to discuss religion. I feel that now I don’t try to censor these issues, my writing has definitely improved.
I’m the same as you in my blog. I wrote in my post yesterday that I hated sequels and trilogies. I was only joking but I spent the rest of the day in an angsty paralysis wondering if the jokey tone would come across and if lovers of sequels and trilogies would be mortally offended and leave angry comments or ignore me for evermore. I was even going to delete it. But I didn’t. Heh.
Happy 2007!!
Left by Helen on January 1st, 2007
You know, thinking and potential changing of minds (of myself or others) is a good thing. Opinionate away!
David
Left by Singing Librarian on January 1st, 2007
Happy New Year, Reed. You raise the point of what should be in a blog. Should I upset people or not? Some people cheat by running several blogs, all with differing emphasii (my first new plural for the year). I chose to lump everything together so my blog is becoming “me”. I eagerly anticipate your opinionating. If I disagree with your opinion, I will tell you. That is what a conversation is, isn’t it?
Left by Archie on January 2nd, 2007
I am wrestling with the same problem, sort of. I have been telling stories about the past, some of them pretty fun, I think. Apparently people are enjoying them, every day my readership grows a little.
But there are topics I have not addressed because I have been worried about offending someone.
For all you could tell from my blog, my life is pretty calm and perfect. But of course, it is not. There is plenty of sturm und drang that I choose to ignore.
I think my opinions creep through anyway, and I’m about to throw caution to the winds and talk about some of the less “nice” stuff in my life.
You go, girl. Opinionate away, and we shall enjoy it. Those that don’t should stick a sock in it. Or something like that.
Left by healingmagichands on January 2nd, 2007
Opinions are good! [She says, hypocritically]. Will look forward to reading them! Happy new year, by the way.
Left by Lilian on January 2nd, 2007
As resolutions go, I think you just won the prize. Looking forward to the opinions.
Left by Sol on January 2nd, 2007
Opinions please!
I cheerfully introduced my socialist-worker-lover to my millionaire-capitalist-ex-city friend and trusted them to see each others’ virtues and politely ignore their differences for the sake of good manners and a quiet life. Which they did. Bless them.
So far none of my friends have killed each other, though I do keep the doctor and the homeopath in separate counties.
Manners maketh man, and opinions maketh the blog.
Oh, and Happy New Year!
*hugs*
Aphra.
Left by Aphra Behn on January 2nd, 2007
I just assumed no one would read my blog, therefore, I wouldn’t have to worry about offending anybody. No problems!
Left by Jen on January 4th, 2007
I am not cheating, Archie! I’ve actually got seven blogs now, but only two are being used on a regular basis. I just prefer having my more ‘personal’ posts in a separate place.
Anyhow, quite looking forward to reading your opinionations (great word, Teuchter) over here, Reed. Sounds like fun!
Left by azahar on January 4th, 2007
Opine, away, I say! I just ordered the C.S. Lewis book (damn you, Reed, another TBR for Miz Kitten!)
I’m adding you to my blogroll–that’ll larn ya.
Happy 07.
Left by LK on January 5th, 2007
You do rant in the most readable manner Reed
Left by kelli on January 11th, 2007