Yesterday someone asked if I'd made a New Year's resolution. I had not for this year, but I have in previous years. I'd usually remember those past resolutions for about a month, then fall back into my old routine.
After being asked that question yesterday, I started thinking about what I could do to help improve my writing.
Procrastination is an issue I struggle with, and I could probably get a lot more done if I didn't. A writer mentioned in an article I read recently that to improve your craft, you should read one book a week in your preferred genre.
All writers love to read and usually have a stack of books waiting to be read. Because of time wasting habits, I have a hard time making it through one in a week's time. So I'll use my time more wisely to work on that.
There's my New Year's resolution, and I plan to stick with it! What's yours? And please share any tips that can help the procrastinators among us save time!
Tweet me @: maria_mckenziewrites. Thanks for visiting!
16 comments:
My only resolution is to smile each day -- laughing is better and of course giggling is best. But a smile is mandatory!
I haven't made any resolutions myself, but the idea of getting in more reading, while I've got the time, is definitely a good idea.
Good luck with your reading a book a week!! I'm still reading my to be read list from last year. That's my goal for this year! To read all the books I set aside that I should have read by the end of last year! LOL!
Take care
x
My resolution for 2011 is to get published...I know, I know...high goals, unachievable and all!
But commenting on blogs and blogging itself is writing and making our writing craft better so no, Maria, you are not procrastinating, you are making your craft better!
Hey, I wanted to let you know there's a new series for us unpubbeds and our struggle every Wednesday known as Wednesday Warriors- Tales of the Unpubbed. My scars will be up next Wednesday for all to see! Check out this weeks:
http://writingnotwhining.blogspot.com/2011/01/warrior-wednesday-tales-from-unpubbed.html
Reading a book a week sounds like a great goal - I try to do the same. Some weeks life gets in the way - you just have to let it go and start fresh the next week ;-)
Happy New Year!!
That actually sounds like a good idea! I think I'll try that every other week. Good for writing reviews as incentives and all that... regardless, though, I'm planning on getting 1000 words a day (500 at least...) written in one of my manuscripts in progress. Hope you do well with yours.
Afraid I need those procrastination tips, as I can put something off with the best of them!
I don't think that progress, writing or artistic, can be measured in tangible terms. With the exception of a three-book deal, a spot on the New York Times Bestseller list, and a finalist in the Booker or Pulitzer Prizes.
That being said, from a writing standpoint, I have for the second year in a row, created a list of Writing Goals. (Sounds better than resolutions.) I work on them when i can within the parameters of a Modern Life (spouse, homeowner, employee, etc.)
I do not make personal resolutions. I strive each and every day to be the man that my eighty+ year old parents can still be proud of and my wife can look in the eyes with love and respect.
Good luck to each and every one of you who have read Maria's post and comments. It means you, too, have goals.
I enjoy reading but know I don't have enough time for a book each week. I do however, need to spend more time editing all the things I should and writing all the stories I've started.
I do tend to spend too much time checking email and Facebook and reading blogs. I mainly do these things to avoid writing. I should have set time slots for networking, etc.
My goal/resolution is to finish my WIP, exercise more, play my piano more, and maybe read more YA novels for "research."
Good luck with your 2011 goals!
I had vowed not to make true resolutions, but I do have several intentions. I intend to write more and procrastinate less. But I also promised to love myself more and criticize myself less.Happy New Year!
I haven't made any resolutions. I'm not trying to fix anything. All I wanted to do is set myself up to accomplish more this year so I made some GOALS. And yes, they are different
@Mary: Smile! That's a great one, especially since it's contagious:).
@William: Yup! Squeeze it in when you can:).
@Old Kitty: I'm just about in the same place! I'm still looking at a stack from last year!
@Nas: I'm claiming getting published as a resolution, too! Dreams come true! I'll be checking you out on Wednesday Warriors next week!
@Katie O: Life really does get in the way! If I could just stay up 24 hours...
@B.E.T.: I think once every other week will be more realistic for me! I think I might try that instead:).
@Alex: A kindred spirit!
@hb_wichita: Sounds like you have a great perspective on life!
@J.L.: Social networking can be a real time drain! It's fun, but you have to set a limit on it--something I'm not good at!
@Carol: Great goals!
@Dawn: Good luck on your intentions, and stay true to your promises!
@Melissa: Hope you accomplish those goals!
Hi Maria. I never make New Year's resolutions. Day to day and week to week goals work better for me. Small, easy, fun bites. Num num num.
Sounds like an excellent resolution to me! I don't have any general resolutions this year. More specifically, however, I want to finish the first draft of WIP, continue edits on the fantasy that is slated for publication next year, and start work on my first non-fiction book. It's shaping up to be a busy 2011!
@Happy Whisk: Day to day and weekly goals sounds more practical--and realistic!
@K.M.: Wow! You do have a busy year!! Best of luck completing everything:).
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