Another year is starting so lets make it a great year for writing. Do you remember a few months ago talking with your friend at work? You happened to mention that you’ve wanted to write since you learnt to read aged five, and he mentioned that it was such a shame that in the twenty three years since you’d never got anywhere with it. You’ve only got yourself to blame – you’re great at talking the talk but when it comes to walking the walk it doesn’t always happen. Time to do something about it this year, and whether you succeed or not, you’ll have something to show for the effort and can be proud of what you’ve done.
Most important of all your goals this year must be your as yet untitled historical novel. You’ve started numerous novels over the years, some embarrassingly bad, some with slightly more potential. All have had one thing in common – yes don’t hang your head in shame, you know exactly what I’m talking about. You’ve grown bored of them or come up with a better idea that you moved onto. This time it’s going to be different; this time it must be different. You’re so much more enthusiastic, you’ve found what you really want to write about, you’ve planned it out, done lots of research and so on. So get writing it.
I know what you’re like, you’ve got the best of intentions, but without some hard and fast targets you’re going to disappoint yourself. So how about this: write regularly and try to average at least 3,000 words a week. That way you should have finished it by the end of the year. You’ll have a first draft to work with, and won’t that be an achievement?
Writing your novel is your main objective for the year, but don’t let that be all you are about. You’ve got so many interests and topics you’d like to write about, far too many and too diverse to get into a single novel. Get more involved on writing.com, both writing and reviewing other people’s work. You really enjoy it, and the more you put in, the more you get out of it. Here are some tangible objectives to work with:
- Enter at least one competition per month.
- Write at least two short stories in the year.
- Write at least three articles in the year.
- Write at least four poems in the year.
- Review at least five new pieces of writing each month.
- Try and earn some new merit badges this year, because they’re adorable and you know you love them!
- Join in or start a campfire creative during the year, and participate regularly.
Entering competitions on writing.com and earning merit badges is great, but it doesn’t buy the baby a new bonnet. You must submit at least three pieces of writing to magazines, journals or some other publication in the year. Lets see if you can get your name in print!
Remember that lovely leather-bound notebook that your wife gave you, with those thick, crisp pages that are perfect to write on? Why not use it to write memories and recollections in. You’ve been wanting to do something like that for a while, they’re a rich source of creativity and will help you in coming up with ideas for stories. It will also be enjoyable for you to reminisce. The notebook has got about a hundred pages in, so aim to fill it before the end of the year and see how you get on.
Finally there is reading. You either read for pleasure, or for research purposes, but you don’t do enough of either. Try to read at least three books every month, and remember that curling up in your favourite chair to read in the evening isn't a waste of your time, it is a really good and productive activity.
It’s no use coming up with goals and objectives for the year if you then forget about them, so make sure you review these goals each month to see if you are meeting them. If you are, great, and if not you’ll know to try harder next month.
It’s so easy to come home from work each evening and do nothing but sit in front of the television. For you to have any hope of achieving your goals you need to spend more time at the computer writing, or quietly reading, and less time in front of that infernal box in the corner of the living room. It’s going to be a challenge, but one I’m sure you will relish.
Happy writing,
Yourself
