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How to Make Your Writing Resolutions Stick

by Marcia Peterson

If you made writing resolutions for the New Year, don’t abandon them now, as the first month comes to a close. Use the following strategies to help you keep the promises you made to yourself. Your writing success this year is worth it!

1. Record your progress. Log your daily word count, self-promotion actions or whatever marker relates most to the resolutions you’ve set. It helps to make it fun, using wall charts, smart phone apps or even a picture of a thermometer that you fill in with colored ink as you make progress toward your goal. Chronicling your efforts is motivating when you’re doing well (it’s so fun to see the path of progress) and also when you’re slacking off (you’ll want to fill in the spaces with good work).

2. Get other people involved. Announce your goals to someone else and now you’re accountable for your declarations. Try to arrange regular check-ins, which will keep you motivated to keep on top of your work. It’s also more enjoyable to work on your resolutions with a friend, or perhaps a team of friends.

3. Put up reminders. When building a new habit, such as increased writing output or regular marketing efforts, it helps to remind yourself of what you need to do each day. Put up notes on your mirror, your car dashboard, or your refrigerator. You can also use alarm clocks, online calendars, or cell phone messages to keep you on track. Maybe a friend would even be willing to call or e-mail you at certain times of day to check in on your progress.

4. Take some action. If your goals overwhelm you at any point, remember that small actions amount to big results over time. Can you do one thing today toward your goal? Could you write for just fifteen minutes this evening? Don’t give up on your resolutions when you’re feeling discouraged or time crunched. Take a little step or complete just a part of project.

5. Set up monthly reviews. Just like kids get reports cards, we should too. Periodically evaluate your progress on your resolutions and give yourself a grade on each one. What’s working well? What could you improve on? It’s up to you how often you want to check in with yourself—perhaps monthly to be sure you’re on course. Each time you review your efforts to date, think about how to make the remainder of the year even better.

6. Adjust and adapt. Life gets busy and personal goals sometimes aren’t met. But, it’s never too late to regroup and get back on track if you need to. Just dive back in to the plan you originally set up, or make alterations to your resolutions that fit better. Forgive yourself for any perceived failures and move on. There’s plenty of time left!

7. Reward yourself. On the other hand, be sure to recognize and honor all the good work you’re doing. Create a system that offers frequent rewards, so that doing the work becomes more fun. Small but desirable prizes for reaching mini goals provide extra motivation to get the job done. Acknowledge your good work and treat yourself nicely!

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You can maintain your New Year’s resolutions with the right strategies to keep you on track. Keep thinking about where you’ll be at the end of the year, when you’ve reached all of your goals. It’s exciting, and you can look forward to this

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One of your New Year’s resolutions may be to get organized. Some people clean out files at the beginning of the year; others go through their closets to make room for holiday gifts received. Many writers take advantage of after-Christmas sales to stock up on much needed supplies such as paper, printer ribbon and pens. Whatever your method, everyone can use some organization tips to get 2011 started in the right way and make it your most lucrative year yet.

Get a Calendar
In order to set goals, meet deadlines, and plan your writing days, you need a calendar—a calendar with lines and large spaces to record all your writing goals and plans each day.

My calendar is big, and I can see one week at a time. Each day, I write down different tasks I need to accomplish such as write a book review column, send out my YA novel to an agent, and work on my blog. If I have a deadline for that day, I highlight it to draw attention to the deadline. However, the deadline does not appear on my calendar just when the article is due. A few days before it’s due, I’ll make a note to double check that I’ve been working on it and am going to make my deadline.

I take my daily tasks on my calendar as seriously as if they were doctors’ appointments or lunch dates. If I don’t accomplish one of my tasks, then I highlight it and work on it the next day or move it to another date to finish. A calendar will keep you organized, on track for deadlines, and give you a plan for each writing day. If you have a plan, you will get more accomplished. If you get more accomplished, you will see more cash flow. If you. . .you get the picture.

Stock Up and Organize Supplies
One way to stay organized throughout the year is to have plenty of supplies available at your home and to keep them handy and easy to find. Some supplies you will want to keep on hand are:

• Printer paper
• Ink pens
• Pencils
• Highlighters
• Stamps
• Envelopes (business size and manila)
• File Folders
• Printer cartridges
• Paper clips
• Staples
• White out
• Post-it-notes
• Notebook (for writing notes)

Even though many submissions are done over e-mail today, there are still publications, editors, and agents who only accept snail mail. Make sure you have the supplies you need readily available, so it is easy to send in a submission to a publisher you are interested in working with. Don’t spend time looking for a pen that works or a scrap of paper to take notes. Keep all supplies ready and organized.

One way to keep office supplies neat (if you don’t have a lot of room in your home or office) is to purchase a hanging shoe organizer that can fit over the door. You can use the shoe pouches to hold office supplies, which also makes them easier to find when you need them.

Work Space
With the above shoe holder suggestion, your work space will be neater. If possible, it is important to have your own work space at home. Many writers have found success with the kitchen table as their desk, knowing they have to move off at meal times. This does work. But it’s not ideal. If possible, it is nice to have your own space where you can keep notes, office supplies, your laptop and printer, and even some writing manuals. You feel like a professional when you have an office—especially one that is organized. For some tips on organizing your wo

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