The Great Reading and Writing Project of 2010

A serious writer must also be a serious reader. One who does not read can not create. I found that idea somewhere a few months ago, and I wish I could find the exact quote. But it spoke to me not only about my laziness as a writer (which I've recently been working to improve) but also as a reader.

My Goodreads.com "currently reading" and "to read" categories total 177 books. This is a large number of works when compared to the shameful total of 92 books I have marked as "read" since joining the website in April 2008. Of the 92, only a mere 38 were actually read in 2008 and 2009. Thirty-eight!? In two years?! Unacceptable. Seeing this as indicative of laziness and a serious call to action, I developed the insane and unoriginally-dubbed "Great Reading and Writing Project of 2010." Below are the details of this proposed undertaking.

The Reading Component:

• The goal is to read 125 books between today, 2010.01.05 and midnight on Friday, 2010.12.31. This could turn out to b e a major New Year's Eve party killer. :oP
• Anything goes: Graphic Novels, "Classics," Chidren's Books (although few and far between), etc. If it's bound and printed and in my hands (and not a magazine), it's a book and I'm reading it. Note to self: find some easy reads. ;)
• New books can be added to the list at any time. My tentative list/order can be found by checking out my goodreads profile and finding the "to read" section. Sort by order if it's not already done that way for you. The first 20 or so are about right. The others will be rearranged as they work their way upward on the list. I've also started a "2010-reading-project" folder, so you can check out my progress, should you be so inclined. And of course, the "currently reading" label, which I'm vowing to keep to one book at a time. Which brings me to the next step...
• Read but ONE book at a time. I know this will be the greatest challenge of all. What often keeps me from completing books is that I get all excited and start about seven at the same time - then hardly ever complete them all. Especially problematic is when I put about ten books on hold at the library and then they all come in at the same time. So, I'll try not to do that from now on.
• Track pages read in some ongoing manner (not currently easily tracked on Goodreads.com, but easy enough to spreadsheet up on my own).

The Writing Component:

• For every 50 pages I read, I must write one page original story/poem/etc. content. Surely this will not be done every time I reach a new 50-page landmark, but preferrably caught up to within some sane amount of time, so as to avoid serious backlog.
• For every 25 books I read, I will revise, prepare, and submit some original work of poetry/short fiction/etc. for publication.
• During this time, however, I will be writing and revising and working on other projects as time allows (harhar).

Actions Taken:

• Reduced Netflix (which I love) down to just one disc at home at a time. Granted, this doesn't take effect until 2010.01.31, but it's a step in the right direction. I'm not afraid. The instant watch feature more than compensates for this.
• Resolved New-Yearily to take at least 3 vacation days off from work throughout the year to sit at home and read and/or write. I've got two weeks from last year that will soon combine with another three for this year. Pretty sure I can spare three days.
• Wrote this crazy blog entry, outlining these shenanigans. (Doesn't really count, but I liked the symmetry of having three points for this category, rather than a dull two.)

Conclusion:

So there it is. In theory, I think it's a fabulous idea. Practically, it might not work out. I might call it quits or change up the rules along the way, espeically if I notice that this has removed all the fun and enjoyment from the process of reading. I reserve the right to throw any and all components or rules straight out the window.

Onward and forward!
Andrle