Another Year

Every Three Years, I said, in 2007. And it's three years on. So:

I wrote this in 2004, quoting myself in 2001. And it feels like a good time to repeat myself one more time. Every three years...

I know it's bad form to repeat yourself, but I was about to list all the things I hope for the readers of this blog in 2005, and I realised I'd already written it back in 2001, when I said...

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.


And I really still do.



Last year, I did a mash-up of that and another New Year's Benediction, and got to tell 2,000 people in Boston what I hoped for, for them and for me, in 2011. There's a video of it, here:



And I've nothing more to say. Except thank you, to my family, to my friends, to Amanda, to all of you. It's been a wonderful year, and I am a fortunate man.
And also, please wish me luck with this short story I'm writing. I'm up to page 19 and nothing's happened yet. Right now, they're eating porridge. In my head, by this point in the story everyone was going to be terrified, and strange oogly things would be happening to all the villagers. Porridge!

Labels:  Happy New Year, porridge, Surprise Yourself
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Published on December 31, 2010 17:20
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message 1: by Paul (new)

Paul  Perry wise words, Mr G.

happy new year everyone.


message 2: by Marco (new)

Marco Tamborrino Happy new year!


message 3: by Michele (new)

Michele this is lovely, so i am sharing the quote with my friends! happy new year to you all


message 4: by Silencio (new)

Silencio Heppy new year :) And good luck for your writing.. Best wishes =)


message 5: by Barney (new)

Barney You can't fool me Gaiman. We all know porridge IS oogly.


message 6: by Prongs (new)

Prongs This is my new 'quote' of the year / words to live by. Here's to 2011!


Laura (Kyahgirl) Happy new year to you too. I like your quote.

There's nothing wrong with Porridge, unless of course yours has bugs instead of raisins!


message 8: by Sarah (new)

Sarah Happy New Year! Best of luck on the short story, although it's impossible for it not to be fantastic. ;) I love the quote! Definitely my new favorite.


message 9: by rudderjhane (new)

rudderjhane All the best, short story..hmm yey!:)


message 10: by Angie (new)

Angie Thanks for the inspiration...I need it! We all do.


message 11: by Mariposa (new)

Mariposa Gollery Happy new year! Great quote, well worded.

Hmmm, how to get them out of this porridge-y situation and into something oogly? Maybe there's something IN the porridge...


message 12: by Mayank (new)

Mayank Happy New Year! Definitely a quote worth sharing with loved ones. And wish you all the best with your story.


message 13: by MNL (new)

MNL Neil; when you are stuck, make things worse for the hero!


message 14: by Kristi (new)

Kristi Lovely and dark, per usual, Mr. Gaiman. Happy New Year to you as well!

BTW - my 6yr old is begging for another "Odd" book. Possible? She also asked me to tell you she thinks Stardust is WAY better than the Princess Bride.

And porridge can be very terrifying.


message 15: by Sherry (new)

Sherry It's worth repeating! And I wasn't a fan on this site in 2001 or 2004, so it's the first time for me! May you have continued success!


message 16: by Sherry (new)

Sherry There is definitely something in that porridge!


message 17: by Shaunte Shayde (new)

Shaunte Shayde There is no need to alter wishes when they are perfect.
hApPy nEw YeAr!
*sprinkle sprinkle*


message 18: by Neil (new)

Neil Kristi, tell your daughter there will be another Odd book. He's going to go to the Mediterranean next.


message 19: by Luz (new)

Luz Ooh, that's lovely! and giggles at the porrige
Happy New Years Neil! ^_^


message 20: by Ika (new)

Ika Happy New Year..:)All The Best for you..:)


message 21: by Michelle (new)

Michelle Not to worry. Porridge, depending on the variety, can be quite terrifying.
<3


message 22: by April-lyn (new)

April-lyn Is it at least evil porridge?


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