New Year's Resolutions for Writers

You’re a writer and it’s New Year’s Eve. Chances are you’re going to make some resolutions. After all, it’s tradition. Unfortunately, it’s also traditional to make resolutions you can’t keep. For instance, you’re going to write a best-seller. You’re going to get a recommendation from Oprah Winfrey. You’re going to sell the movie rights to your book for a million dollars. Certainly all of those things are possible, but none of them are directly within your control. This year I plan on making a resolution or two that I can actually keep. Here are some ideas I’m kicking around:

I’m going to spend more time writing and less time worried about selling.

I’m going to spend more time on the things I love and less time on the things I don’t.

I’m going to focus on the positive no matter how many negatives might vie for my attention.

I’m going to read more quality books and read less Internet tripe.

I’m going to write the best book I possibly can.

I like this list. Heck, I might just do all five of these things in 2016. And upon reflection, many of them might appeal to non-writers as well. Whether you’re a writer or not I encourage you to think big and to think positive this coming year. I hope you’ll focus on what truly matters to you and less on what you think others expect of you. And most of all, I wish you the best of success. Happy New Year and keep writing!