We've entered a sparkly new year and with it we've come up with many resolutions, plans and ideas to become better writers, readers, marketers and people. Is it really all just hype? Once we first break our resolution, whether it be to write a daily word count, pursue new agents or eat more broccoli, are we doomed to lose interest and return to slackdom?
How do we keep momentum and become effective and productive writers? This is my list of ways to push myself with my goals for 2011:
- Prioritise. I want to write more, but realistically that's the easy part because it's sexier and more fun than the writing tasks I need to do. I need to edit the many manuscripts I've written and start sending them out. I'll be spending the first half of this year sending out Dog Show Detective and editing The Costume Maker and Digging Up Death. Only then will I let myself continue writing The Warracknabeal Kids and new tales.
- Write. I'll make daily notes into my ideas notebook. To keep sharpening my writing skills I will keep a notebook with ideas for plots, locations, scenes, dialogue and characters. I won't start any new stories yet, but I will fill this notebook with ideas for future stories.
- Draw. When I was a kid I loved to draw, because I wasn't great at it, I gave up. I intend to draw and doodle more, for no greater goal than to enjoy it and free up my imagination. Drawing and free-writing are great ways to inspire creativity.
- Learn. By taking my Kindle everywhere with me, there will be no excuse not to read more. I learn a lot from the fiction I read and I intend to read more non-fiction books on the art of writing as well. Of course I will share what I learn with my blog-readers :-)
- Indulge. Last year I took on some writing/editing classes. This year time is tight as I need to learn Spanish and Art for the classes I'll be teaching at high-school. So, a little later in the year, I intend to take one writers' retreat and attend the Byron Bay Writer's Festival.
- Laugh. As always, I will continue to see the funny side of life - this always provides a good twisted way to approach scenes and characters.
Number 7? LOVE. That's pretty easy with this pretty little girl who has joined our home. Pinkachu has settled in well.
Awesome list! Happy New Year to you!! Hope it is all you want and much more!
ReplyDeleteAnd OMG! What a cute little critter!! She is the cutest hairless I have ever seen in my life!!
Thanks for the tips. I too intend to draw for the fun of it. I don't know how you get so much done. Yesterday, I dusted out an old memoir manuscript and the thought of editing one more time almost made me sick. But, I will and I intend to submit it this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks always for your kind support.
Your list is a lot like mine. I just added drawing to mine yesterday!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
My list is editing heavy too--I wrote a lot last year and this year there is MUCH to edit... You've got a great list and I wish you luck on it!
ReplyDeletePinkachu is a model! In the first picture, she's striking a pose.
ReplyDeleteLove your list. I should make one. Even if I didn't stick with it, I'd get more done than usual!
I draw my settings when I can't visualize them. It's a great way to get the creative juices flowing!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great list, Charmaine. I need to follow it myself. :-)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I really miss your girls' sweet book reviews. And so does my 8 y.o. son! LOL.