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COLUMN: New year a time for polishing old projects

Normally, around this time of year, I’ve settled down into a new writing project that will likely take up the better part of the year.

With the new year upon us, many people will be looking for a fresh start.

It makes sense, after all. New year, new projects, new goals, new things to try out. It’s part of the cycle.

Normally, around this time of year, I’ve settled down into a new writing project that will likely take up the better part of the coming year with all that goes into it.

This year, however, I’m doing something a little bit different. I’m taking a project I spent most of last year working on and I’m going to turn it into something better.

I’m doing this because, at this point in the game, I’m not always looking for the next best thing and, for me, the new year isn’t an excuse to drop everything and start something new, especially when I’ve got a perfectly good project sitting around, waiting for some fresh ideas. I like where I left things with this project last year and I’m sure, with a little bit more time and energy I can turn it into something pretty great.

I know I can’t be alone out there. Anyone who’s spent any time at all doing creative things has a pile of half completed projects lying around somewhere.

Usually projects like this get set aside because of time constraints or because you’re just not feeling it and then something else comes along and it joins the rest of the half put together projects in a pile.

If you’re looking to be more creative this year, start with that pile.

Dig up those half-finished songs, find that sketchbook full of painting ideas or that novel that you started, but stopped around the end of the second chapter.

Take a good, long look at whatever it is you’ve just picked up. Is it really as bad as you thought it was? Chances are it isn’t.

Do you see anything in there worth saving? No? Okay. Move on to the next one and keep searching through the pile until you hit something that makes you go, “Hmm…”

I suspect it won’t take long for you to find something that, with a little bit of love and elbow grease, could turn into an idea worth playing around with again.

Take the time this year before you start on that new project to revisit a few of those older ones. You might be surprised by what you encounter.

Any chance to salvage an old idea is worth taking. Those new ideas will be there when you’re ready.

Having said all that, if you really feel the need to switch gears a little bit in 2017, don’t forget that the Summerland Arts Council is holding their workshop series, “I Always Wanted To…”

The workshops take place on Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and start on Jan. 11 and start with your chance to try out drumming. For more information contact the Arts Council at 250-494-4494 or stop by the gallery at 9525 Wharton St.

Douglas Paton is a Summerland writer and musician. If you know of a local arts and culture event, contact him at dgpaton80@gmail.com.