Let's hope the Mayans were wrong

It's the end of the year as we know it. I haven't been blogging much for a number of reasons—not the least of which is the holidays. (The other reasons involve whining, so I'll skip those.)

A year ago, I posted a blog of all the books I'd read in 2010. This year I have goodreads.com. If you like to read and don't already belong to goodreads, you will enjoy it. My page lists all the books I've read, all the books I'm currently reading and all the books I plan to read. There I review each book I've read.

 

In 2011, my goal was to read one book a week. I've read 43, and will finish one more in the next four days. So 44/52. Not bad. My goal for 2012 is to read LESS. Yes, less. Read less, read better. I resolve to take more notes, study well-written books, fill the pages with marginalia and notes. In 2012, I plan to read 26 acclaimed books and write one. 

As an emerging writer, it's imperative that I read books. But just reading them and hoping to become a best-selling author is like listening to the radio and assuming that you can become a pop star by immersion. I view reading like an enjoyable form of homework. In 2012, I will be more selective in what I read. Excellence in; excellence out. 

My other goal is to listen better and interrupt less. I think it will be easier to sell a novel. 

This is all assuming, obviously, that the Mayans (and REM) were wrong. I have big plans for the next 12 months. Wish me luck.

Open Window Literary Magazine

Hello, peeps. It's been a while... sorry (I've been writing!). But I'm back with great news to report.

An excerpt from my novel The Best Liar of All was selected for inclusion in the inaugural issue of Open Window Literary Magazine. Open Window is an online publication by the geniuses at LCCC in Laramie, Wyoming. Open Window launches on Tuesday, December 20th, 2011. The minute their site is up, I will link you to it.

A bit of background: The Best Liar of All is the story of 39-year old Brooklynite Daniel King. Danny's company went bankrupt, then his girlfriend was murdered. As he's trying to rebuild his life, the SEC tells him they "have a few questions", then the man who allegedly killed Danny's girlfriend threatens his life too. Danny quickly realizes he needs to disappear so he takes his dog (and a bag of cash—a cool quarter million dollars), and heads to his father's hometown of Jackson, Wyoming, a place so small it must be safe. But what he learns when he gets there is that no one is who they seem to be. Danny must filter through "fifty-four years, four months" of fallacious history to find out who everyone truly is, including himself.

The excerpt that I submitted to Open Window is a flashback about Danny's father as a teenager in Jackson, 1956. "Chuck" had a rough childhood, something he never told Danny about, never even told his own wife.

A big thanks to Lori Howe at Open Window, and everyone else on the selection committee. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the launch party, but with any luck I'll upload a reading of my short story to YouTube that they can watch, and can you too.

xox, Karolyn