MAKE TIME FOR YOUR WRITING
~ This tops the list for almost all writers. We resolve to make more
time for writing every year, but it’s so easy for life to distract us.
We rationalize we have other tasks and chores to do for our kids, our
husband, friends, or family. If we wrote only 500 words at day, we would
have 15,000 words in a month. One thousand words would net us 30,000,
quite an admirable word goal. Don’t feel like writing? Research, writing
exercises, outlining, reading for information, and editing also count
as part of the writing process since these activities propel us forward.
READ, READ, READ
~ Not only do we need to read in our genre to stay on top of the latest
trends and to study other writers’ styles, structure, plotting, voice
and pacing, but also we need to read outside our comfort zone. We need
to delve into a memoir, a nonfiction book, editorials, the newspaper,
and anything we don’t normally read. This will give us a new perspective
when we sit down to write again.
GET ORGANIZED
~ Organize your writing space. File that pile of papers you were going
to take care of. Clean out your emails. Clean up your hard drive. Back
up your data. Review and update your blog, website, Facebook page and
Twitter account. Set a timetable for writing a certain project and
determine how you’re planning to track your progress.
SET REALISTIC GOALS
~ Stop beating yourself up when you don’t accomplish what you planned.
Stop comparing yourself to other writers. Set realistic goals. Maybe you
will only accomplish one novel per year. However, you might want to try
writing a seasonal short story, or an opinion or a blog piece as
well.
EXERCISE
~ Good health is important. Get plenty of rest and find some activity
where you can get exercise: swimming, walking, golfing, tennis, zuma,
dancing or any other activity that takes you away from the keyboard and
gets you moving.
Have you made your New Year’s resolutions?
If so, share on of those in the comments below. Happy New Year!
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