Hold me to it! by Eric Beetner

What are your Literary Resolutions for 2025…as a Writer, as a Reader?

I usually vow to read more, but I usually fall short of my goals even though I read quite a bit. I think what I need to do is read more for myself and less for obligation. Beyond the fact that I have spent several years as a judge for major writing awards, I like to keep abreast of what is popular out there and what other are reading, so I try for some books that more often than not, disappoint me. I know this is my issue, and not the book, but I need to do better at sticking to what I like and not feel pressured into reading stories that don’t intrigue me.

That said, it runs in contrast to my vow to take chances and read new authors, new genres, new ideas. It’s a slippery slope. I always try to steer out of my lane and I’ve discovered some great books that way. I think in the end, I’ve been reading long enough that I know what intrigues me. Ignore the author name, the cover art, focus on the story and if it is something I’m interested in. Damn the rest. Go with my gut.

This one may hurt, but I’ve promised myself this year to buy fewer books. Things have been tight around my house, economically, and the royalty checks certainly aren’t helping matters. Now that hardcovers have crossed the $30 mark, I really take a long hard look at a book before I invest. It’s always been a worry that books go the way of live theater and turn what used to be entrainment for the masses into an indulgence for the elite. 

I will embrace my local library and not worry if a title doesn’t make it onto my shelf for posterity.

My writing goals may be opposite most writers – to slow down a bit.

I’ve been accused of being very prolific. Sure, I have a lot of ideas and I like to write. But it becomes harder to keep up the pace. Work, kids, social life all get in the way and I’ve put some of those aside for too long. I have a book out in Feb and another one next year, so I don’t need to keep my foot on the gas. Since the books aren’t paying the bills, I write because I enjoy it. And I want to enjoy it more. Maybe that means taking the pressure off myself to produce so much. I want to leave some in the tank so I don’t completely burn out. 

Now for the contradiction on that one: I want to get through some of these ideas that have been hanging around for too long. I have dozens and dozens of half-baked ideas, outlines, pitches and scribblings that keep multiplying like rabbits. I want to write some of them so they just get out of the way. Maybe some are only short stories, maybe some are screenplays. Either way, I hope to clear out some of the backlog.

Speaking of, back to reading: I need to work through this TBR pile and not be so easily distracted by the newest acquisition. There are a few books I know are coming this year that will be must-buys for me (like Christa Faust’s long awaited conclusion to her Angela Dare series, and William Boyle’s newest) but if I don’t make progress through this pile of unread books, it will surely topple and crush me.

Now, I’ll just copy and paste this for next year when all my resolutions are the exact same!