Now that we're in the new year, B.J. Anderson is starting out the chain with a very timely question:
What are your writing resolutions for the year 2010?
This is a great question, and something we should all ask ourselves as writers. We could extend this question to cover ALL the aspects of our lives, but that's probably asking a bit too much. To keep it simple (and manageable), I'll go through the writing resolutions I'd like to keep to for this year.
First off, I'd like to complete at least one book this year. Not just a rough draft, not just a second draft. I want to finish a book and do what I can to have it ready for querying. I already have a good start on a first draft, thanks to NaNo. I just have to finish up the story, let it cook for a while, and then plunge back in for revisions.
I am going to take a writing course this year (and actually, I'm planning on doing this as soon as possible). I realize how much I have to learn, and I can't do that sitting at home writing by myself. Rather than taking an online course (which might be good, might not), I've found an institution here in Denver called the Lighthouse Writers Workshop that looks quite good. It's not too pricey, and the instructors come with awesome credentials. Unfortunately all the classes right now are filled up, so I will have to wait until the next ones open up.
Last year (for part of the year anyway) I was writing articles for a website called Brighthub.com. I became heavily involved with editing articles for other writers as well, and my own writing activity fell to the wayside. This year I am going to work harder at writing my own articles once more. Since I would love to change occupations and become a writer full-time (even if most of it is freelancing while I work on my bestseller), I have to get started somewhere.
Lastly (and most importantly), I am going to write every day. Even if I only manage 500 words (as low a value as that sounds to me), I will pat myself on the back every day I do manage to write. As with anything we do, practice makes perfect and I need LOTS of practice.
I am writing this post early and hoping everything works on Blogger so that it posts on the 10th like it's supposed to. Yes, I actually am doing something ahead of time. Don't worry, it's probably just a early-year-phase that will soon disappear like all good habits do. Assuming everything works right, my predecessor Sandra should have her post up by now and Kat will be following this one up tomorrow.
Update - of course it did not remain hidden until the 10th, so I have changed the date to accurately reflect when it did go up (since I have a new post as of the 7th). I've caused all sorts of confusion within the blogchain ranks of course, but hey - what good are if you can't royally screw things up once in a while? :)
13 comments:
Eric,
I think these are some great goals. Good luck with them! If you keep all this up, you will grow tremendously as a writer. I can feel it! Just the first goal of finishing a book will be very educational, I think.
Great to have goals. Good luck with them. I looking forward to hearing about your progress. My goals are on my blog.
Your goals are great. You're going to get your best seller in no time if you stick to 'em!
Good goals! I only have one: develop patience.
And yes, that's a writing goal.
I took a writing class this summer and it was great. Informative. Helpful. Intensive. 2 whole days. Then I was able to get back to writing. I think making time for your writing and finishing projects are the most important things you can do to help your writing improve. That's what has helped me most. That and reading.
Those sound like very realistic and productive goals. I've never heard of the Lighthouse Writer's Workshop and I live here in Denver, too. I might have to check that out.
My first and biggest goal is to get queries out on my completed manuscript. It's ready to go, along with all my agent research, but I haven't taken the plunge yet. I would like to begin working on my next novel by the end of the month and complete that this year as well. Long term goals aren't my strong suit so I'm starting with that. Happy New Year!
Awesome goals!
These are great goals. You can do it! I have a bunch of nebulous ones that I will sit down with this weekend and right out the baby steps I will work on to achieve the big goals. It's easier to focus on baby goals, sometimes.
Very good goals! I think it's important to take writing classes as a way of advancing your craft.
Looks like you posted a few days early. ;)
Great goals. It's fantastic to help others and critting is essential to every writer, but your writing has to come first.
You will get that book done, and the rest of us will be here to push you off the querying cliff. Good luck!
Isn't it amazing how 500 words seems so insignificant after you spend an entire month (NaNo) writing more than 1,600 a day?
Great list!
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