Happy New Year! I hope everyone is safe and warm despite the recent storms. It is so pretty in my backyard and I’m glad I haven’t had to drive anywhere.
I’m not much into New Year’s Resolutions. I get the appeal of the idea of starting fresh. The problem is that a year is an awfully long time to strive to be good. Frankly, I can rarely make it through a day without messing up in some way or other. I think it’s better to try to start fresh at any time. Even, say, halfway through a bag of potato chips I hadn’t intended to eat. Though admittedly hard to do!
So while I think it’s a good idea to take stock now and then, I prefer plans to resolutions. I want to change something, I make a plan and I try to make it fairly specific. Once things make it onto my To Do List, there’s a good chance they’ll get done eventually. At the very least they aren’t forgotten.
This year, one thing I want to do is see if I can learn to write faster. My writing time is still constrained by being a stroke caregiver and mother of teenagers (one of whom is headed for college SOON!) but maybe I can make that time more productive. I’ve heard some prolific writers imply that slow writers like me just need to work harder. In my case, I think it’s more about working smarter. I write quickly once I get my ideas together, but it takes me a while to connect (or reconnect) with the story and the characters. Part of that is having to write sporadically–which I can’t help–but I also think part of it is being so driven that I don’t refill the well often enough. After each spurt of creativity, I struggle for a while.
I did The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron a while ago. I’m still good about doing the Morning Pages (daily journaling) but like many, I’m not so good at the Artist’s Dates (weekly activities intended to be fun for the muse). For me, this would be things like taking time to play the piano, do crafty stuff, get out into nature, watch more movies and read for pleasure.
So this year my plan is to put an Artist’s Date on my To Do List each week. It may seem counter-intuitive to getting more writing done, but I’m going to try it and see what happens.
How about you? Any resolutions or plans for the New Year? I’ll be giving away 5 free download codes from Audible for Lady Dearing’s Masquerade. Comment on this post between now and next Thursday, Jan 9th. I’ll announce the winners on Friday, Jan 10th.
Elena
www.elenagreene.com
Hi.. hope to win!
I wish you all a Happy New Year and lots of good writing in 2014!
I’m also not into resolutions and I can relate to your “To Do” list and even more so with your wish to write faster. My first book is about to be launched this month and I’m hoping to be able to have my second one ready before 2014 runs out. Since it has taken me so long to get that first one out, getting that second one, already done in draft form, out in a year, could be viewed as lightening speed!! Like you I have calls on my time that I can’t always control, but this past year I began working smarter and I did improve, so I intend to keep on doing so.
My second wish is to get better at using the Internet for more than just research and e-mail. I have a website set up but not yet online. I’m worried that I won’t be able to keep up the online obligations as well as write, but I intend to add that to my work-harder-at list!
And that’s how I’m beginning this new year!
Jemma
Yes, it is hard to find that balance of writing vs promotion (website, social media). I’m still struggling with it. For me, what helps is to take things one at a time and also to try not to compare my progress with that of other writers. I wish you all the best with your endeavors!
to read more books
That’s a great one!
I agree about the plans vs resolutions. Interested to hear how the artist dates impact your writing.
At some point, I’ll probably post about how it’s working. I’m curious to see, too!
I’ve done The Artist’s Way too and I intend to take up the daily pages and the other tips she offers on Monday. Time to get my life back in order and work to be published. NOW!
It does me no good to say I hate my job and I want out of it unless I am willing to do whatever I have to do to change it.
I’m in the process of outlining a plan of attack and deciding what choices I have to make this year to make the life I want a reality.
Good for you, Louisa. Yes, it’s all about choices. Sometimes you have to work on balancing the “regular” job (or in my case, caregiving duties) with the writing but it’s worth the effort. Wishing you all the best in 2014!
My dream is to meet someone who not only will be my friend, but my BEST friend. Someone who understand, accepts and loves everthing about me 😀 Would be even better if this person was a single guy in want of a wife 😉 I guess that my resolution is to be more open and kind towards others, smile more and maybe meet my BFF, “childish” as that may sound.
You make me smile. Being the kind of person you want as a friend is a good start, I think.