Normally I am not one to partake of new year resolutions. Mostly cuz I hate to fail at them.
That losing 10 pounds one has really added up since my first resolution twenty years ago…But let’s not focus on my jiggly thighs. Of course, now you can’t get that visual out of your head (you’re welcome!)
I do like one kind of resolution though – WRITERLY ONES.Â
So as much as 2016 sucked for some people, and brought joy for others, I’m glad to see 2017. It holds promise of words, words, and more words. Book births. Some book deaths, usually termed, OUT OF PRINT. Also the idea of ideas. The realities of agents, editors, publishers, marketing, promo. Wins. Losses. Queries. Decisions. Questions. And RMFW!
And best of all reading a mass of great books by RMFW writers.
With resolutions in mind, here are a few of my writerly resolutions for 2017:
I vow to finish more than 3 manuscripts this year. Mind you, probably not good ones, but still…
I also promise to, and please hold me to this, be more social and active in my community, both writerly and other.
And finally, I will make a point to meet RMFW writers, find out who they are and what writing brings to them.
What about you?
If you could take a moment to add your resolution to the comments, we’d love to read them.Â
I resolve that, throughout year 2017, I shall hunt down and kill all adverbs, and all words used as “intensifiers.” Not just in my writing: also in every one else’s on the planet, in all languages, utterly and forever. Lazy shortcuts are for lesser beings, not for writers,.
Ha! THIS!!!
I would join you on this quest. Death to adverbs and lazy writing!
…. but gosh, look at how many adverbs are in my vow….
I resolve to set goals, not make resolutions, because goals are attainable and measurable.
Excellent point. Goals are far better.
I resolved to finish a first draft in a new series by June 30. (I have not started, yet.)
Too easy. Let’s go with Feb 1…(?). I have faith in you!
2016 was pretty good for me, even with a summer layoff from writing. 2017: finish re-write of novel (have critique group . . . will get slammed but in a good way) publish first children’s haiku book (by Feb) complete acrostic poem book, work another poetry anthology, submit more poems for publication, get another 2-3 prints in chicken soup books (2 last year), ummmm, what else . . . ?
Look at you! Fabulous.
I’ve already got one coming out in January, but my resolution is for two more minimum in my current series, to finish the first of a new trilogy by Denver Comic Con (coincide the release with that weekend), and to start entering contests/anthologies more. Basically, I need to get my name out there, and while the first release this year was a decent test run, I know I can do better. So, now I need to do better.
Super congrats on the upcoming book and those that follow!
For 2017, I’d better finish the first draft of this stupid novel I’ve been playing with for three years! And to be less of a hermit (good resolution Julie – mind if I borrow it?). I’ve got three or four other novels that have been whispering to me. I think I need to start listening to them. I want to connect to other writers in a more tangible way.
Maybe 2017 is the year I finally start “owning” this writer life I’ve asked for.
Borrow away! I have every faith you can finish strong! Own it, girl!!!!
Get. An. Agent. Finish 1st and 2nd draft of next book by June–a medical thriller I imagined while I was still practicing medicine. Make the time to join these great critique groups I keep reading about!
Fingers crossed you find the perfect agent!
I have been working on these:
1) Budget where I go for work and be more selective with the budget.
2) Get my newsletter to Amazing status.
3) Finish Realm trilogy, write the companion book, and start the two new series I have planned. At least one book in each.
4) Narrow my marketing focus.
5) Learn to say no in order to simplify my life and stop taking on so much.
You’re always so organized. My resolution is to be LISA.
I hereby resolve that in year 2017 I shall spend more than than I did in year 2016 pretending to be a writer.
Pretending beats writing any day.
I resolve to publish 2- 4 more books in the Kelly Chan series (the next by mid-January), and 3 in a new series still under wraps.
That’s a ton of books. Good for you!
I’m going to fire up book number two by beginning the research phase.
Win the Colorado Book Award. Oh yeah!
I must finish my tea cozy murder mystery by March 2017. Argh. Or in other words, I must kill more victims faster than planned.
Publish my very first book!
Finish the first draft of my current WIP by June 1.
It’s my 10th anniversary.
In year 1, I wrote and produced the audio for four novels.
I haven’t been able to get more than 2 books a year out since.
This year, I want to write and publish four novels and finish up the two trilogies I’ve got running.
I still have two books that need paperbacks and three that need audio, but that’s beside the point. 🙂
I’m publishing my first book this month! My goal is to have 4 more published by the end of the year. I’ve set a word count goal to help me reach this. I will write at least 10,000 words per week for 2017 and try to push to 14000 words per week as often as possible.
To become more FOCUSED on my writing. I will commit to write 1500 or more words six days a week. This should get me through a 12 week writing course I am in and should produce my first rough draft of a new romance/love story novel. This is a very hard novel for me to write because it depicts certain parts of my father’s life. Every time I sit down to write, I shed a few tears over the loss of his wisdom and support. Once the rough draft is finished, it’s on to getting an agent for this.
I will dare to get my work traditionally published by actually submitting it. Crossing fingers. Wish me luck!
I will put my NANOWRIMO sh***y first draft onto its own stick, open it up, print it out and write a better second draft in 2017 before the next NANO.
My resolution is a writerly goal: I WILL write (not edit) 1000 to 2000 words a day, every day. So far, so good – for eight straight days.