As the New Year begins, there’s no better time to set resolutions for the coming months. For writers, a new year may mean starting a new project, finishing an old one or even pitching a manuscript to an agent.
This blog shares twelve resolutions that you might find useful for 2022. Whether you’ve already set your resolutions for the year or if you’re not quite sure how to begin, this list may help you on your writing journey.
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1. Set realistic goals
Setting realistic goals is an essential part of the writing process. If the challenge is too great, then disappointment is inevitable. Feeling like you’ve failed to meet your own standards is one of the greatest setbacks of being a writer. To avoid this, work out how much time you have to write and set a realistic timeframe to achieve this goal. This could be a week, a month or even a year. It doesn't matter how large or small that goal is - reaching a small milestone is far more satisfying than the struggle to reach an unachievable one.
2. Create a schedule
A schedule can help you to achieve those realistic goals. Your schedule should reflect the time you have to write and the goals you want to achieve. If you already have a publisher, then deadlines may be set for you, but if you don’t, then it’s up to you to make things happen. A good way to ensure success is to work backwards. Work out when you would like your project to be finished and see how much time you have between now and that point. Once you have this marker, you can break down the months, weeks, days and even hours that may be needed to meet that target.
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3. Experiment with your style
If you’re not quite sure what your writing style is yet, then now is the time to find out. Style refers to an author's unique way of communicating with words. Style can take time to develop and experimenting with different methods is a great way to find out yours. Try writing in different genres or using a variety of voices. Ask yourself which point of view you prefer and what kind of language you like to use. You’ll soon find out what works for you and what doesn’t.
4. Write when you don’t feel like it
Writing when you don’t feel like is a great way to keep the ball rolling. Once again, it requires the ability to let go of perfectionist constraints. Write even when you feel like you can’t or when you don’t have any good ideas. You’ll be surprised what you can come up with once you get over the initial hurdle. It’s like running. Sometimes it’s hard to get up and go and sometimes you hit a wall, but if you push through those boundaries you can still achieve a sense of satisfaction. It’s the practice that counts and you’ll never regret giving it a go.
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5. Finish what you start
Many writers say that their greatest challenge is finishing what they started. Part of the trouble stems from setting unrealistic goals. Continually starting new projects and the overanalysis of first drafts can also be a hindrance, however. If you are continually brimming with new ideas, write them down in a notebook and set them aside. Focus on one project at a time if you can as spreading your attention too thinly will make your goals less achievable. If you find yourself constantly second-guessing your first draft, challenge yourself to write without looking back. Editing is for second and third drafts. First versions don’t have to be perfect.
6. Edit your work
Once you have finished your first draft (and perhaps several others), then you can really start editing. You can’t get away with not editing your work, especially if you are submitting to publishers. While your manuscript doesn’t have to be perfect, it does need to have some refinement. The first draft of a book will never be the same as the final version. The core ideas may be the same, but details almost always change.
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7. Pitch your work
If you’ve done all you can to make your manuscript ready, then you can think about the next steps. If you want to pitch your work to an agent or small publisher, then what’s to stop you? You can’t wait forever to the story to be completely perfect, because in your eyes it may never be. Authors often say that they could endlessly edit their books, but there comes a point when you just have to stop and let go. If you are submitting a manuscript, do your research first. Sometimes a pitch will work, sometimes it won't’, but you can’t know until you try.
8. Connect with other authors
Writers often view other writers as direct competition. While this is true to a certain extent, a great sense of community can be found within the literary industries. Talking to other writers can teach you a great deal, so why not reach out? You never know who you’ll meet. Attend local book clubs or writer’s groups, visit literary festivals and connect with authors online. Writing is a lonely profession and building connections with other writers is a great way to make friends, share advice and learn new skills.
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9. Start a blog
Time and time again, marketeers speak about the benefits of blogging. Blogs drive traffic to your website and start to raise awareness about you and your writing. If you don’t have time to write a post every week, aim for every other week or once a month. You don’t have to write a lot, but consistency is key. Content doesn’t always have to be groundbreaking either. Start with what you know and build it up from there. Write short posts if you’re pushed for time and save the longer ones for when you're less stressed.
10. Don’t give up
The final message for the year then and perhaps the most important is to not give up. Giving up will get you nowhere. We all have days when writer’s block or imposter syndrome strike. You have to actively take on these challenges and see a way past them. Accept that things might be hard today but they could well be better tomorrow. Many people think of success as pure luck, but in so many cases, hard work is the key. Be realistic and work hard for what you believe in and you’ll be surprised at how much you’re capable of.
In summary
In summary then, these resolutions will help you to plan your goals and succeed. Driving yourself forward can be hard but if you keep going, the impossible may start to feel possible.
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This article orginally appeared on francescatyer.com and has been reposted with permission.
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