As 2018 comes to an end, here are ten possible new year resolutions for authors to make.
1. Set realistic goals for yourself
Realistic goals mean that you can sensibly hope to meet them. Meeting goals helps you feel accomplished and can fend off those feelings of imposter syndrome we all get sometimes. More
Tempting as it might be to set yourself the goal of going from a few hundred to a few million subscribers by the end of the
Setting a realistic goal, such as 52 new subscribers this year breaks down to one a week. Not only is this a managable target but one that you can measure the success of month by month.
Suggestions for such goals, might be these.
- Edit a chapter a day
- Write 1000 words daily
- Finish this draft of my novel
- Publish a blog pot each Wednesday
- Send out at least one submission each month
2. Write what scares you
That old adage about sitting down to a typewriter and bleeding has a grain of truth to it. Writing that flows from the heart, that comes from your deepest pain, is writing most likely to connect with readers.
In 2019, make your resolution to write about the topics that frighten you. If only a little.
3. Meet other authors and writers
Take some time to socialise with other authors, even if that is only on Author Buzz or social media in general. A community of writers and authors may be the only community that understands what you go through as an author.
Besides, when you find yourself seeking advice, your peers are the best source of that advice.
Beyond Author Buzz and other social media, writers groups, authors retreats, and literary festivals are all good places to meet other authors.
4. Start a blog
If you do not have a blog as part of your author platform, it is never too late to start. You can create one on Author Buzz for free if you do not fancy maintaining your own installation.
Blogging allows you to practice writing in public, connect with potential fans, and can be a lot of fun. Some writers have even been discovered because of their blog.
5. Build your list
Listing building is an essential author activity. While blogs are useful, allowing for passive contact from fans, your list allows you to actively reach out to those who are interested in your work.
Author Buzz has a suit of list building tools built into our blogs to help you build lists.
6. Enjoy writing
It is easy to become so caught up in the work of writing that we forget to enjoy the actual writing itself. Sometimes, having fun with writing is more important than hitting self imposed word counts, editing goals, and chapter targets. The chances are, if you are having fun, you will meet those goals anyway.
This year, try to make time to just enjoy writing.
7. Stress less but daydream more
All the things you cannot change or control are not worth worrying about. Instead, make a point of returning to the place where most author’s best ideas are born – our daydreaming.
In 2019, schedule less time for worrying and more time for creativity.
8. Write and revise too
It is easy to get stuck either writing or revising. Make a point of doing both in 2019. This is easier said than done. So much easier said, so much harder to do.
Some people find it helps to assign days for writing and days for revision. For example, I find that as the week starts, revising my work gets me thinking about what I need to write next which I do in the later part of the week. When I am organised enough to work like this, it
Some writers find that using an app or calendar to schedule their time works for them.
Others find they need to protect core writing time by scheduling social events arround it.
Whatever works for you, do that.
9. Read more
For writers, reading is a form of research. It is also, in the main, a relaxing way to spend your time.
Reading, is a core activity for growing as a writer. That it is also pleasant, fun, and relaxing is a happy bonus.
The best writers read a lot. Read more in 2019 – you will be glad that you did.
10. Recharge your batteries
It is hard to be creative while running
Sometimes you just need to unplug from social media, grab a good book, and
Maybe you are a person who recharges in a social setting – so go and hang out with your favorate friends. Shoot some pool, if that’s your thing. Play a few board games. Eat, drink, and be merry.
Whatever recharges your creative batteries – do that. Do it often. Stay fresh and fully charged up for your writing in 2019.
Over to you
What are your author resolutions for 2019? Share your goals in the comments below.
What advice would you add to this list? Is there anything that’s missing – make that right with your comment.
Over to you.