What are your New Year’s Writing Resolutions?

It’s that time of year where we all tend to sit back, take stock, and try and make a plan of action for pushing forward.

And frankly, given I’m someone who puts lists up there with cheese and wine on my table of favourite things, I love it.

But this year I’m focussing on my writing resolutions, rather than getting in the gym (which does sometimes happen) or eating less chocolate (which realistically, will never happen).

So, here are my writing resolutions. Let me know yours!

Work at bad writing

Sometimes, bad writing is like bad relationships. You just have to let it go and hope it never comes back to bite you in the arse.

This year, however, I want to make more of a go at mediocre writing (and by that I don’t mean I want to write more mediocre stuff, moreso that I don’t want to give up on it quite as quickly).

This is definitely a vice of mine when it comes to short stories. I don’t tend to sit and plan them, and then I write them and (surprise surprise), they don’t turn out great. I blame the format of the short story (it’s too short! How can you possibly develop a character that deeply in just 3k words? It’s not for me) without actually pushing myself to improve.

So here’s my commitment: five short stories this year. Five attempts at wooing my nemesis. Five separate times I will sit down and purposefully tweak and inch out more from my short story writing.

Because if you can develop an awesome character in 3,000 words – imagine what you can do with 100,000

 

Shout about my writing more

I like to think I’m a confident person, but when it comes to my writing my eyes drop to the table and I tend to speak as though I’ve watched The Quiet Place one too many times.

Now, don’t panic. I’m not going to become one of those annoying people that’s constantly asking you to read stuff.

But I will try and be someone that doesn’t shy away from people wanting to read stuff. Because usually when someone says “hey, can I read something you’ve written?” I run away.

NO MORE!

 

3. Send my book to agents

I was going to write “get my book published” but then I thought, hang on a minute sister. Best write stuff down that I actually have control over.

And I do have control over sending it to agents.

And I promise once that ball gets kicked into gear (meeting with my various beta readers to get the remainder of my feedback this week) I will document every email and every rejection for y’all. So you can learn from my mistakes.

 

What are your writing resolutions? Let me know!