75 New Year's Resolutions for Writers
We can’t believe 2020 is in full swing, but it’s here. We’re feeling really good about 2020 and have lots planned. Stay tuned. Our New Year’s resolutions are a combination of tasks we’re committing to this year and resolutions we know will take your writing endeavors to the next level in 2020. No matter where you are in the process, make a point to refocus your energy throughout the year and settle on goals that are authentic to your vision and reachable.
To Get Your Book Written
Set an intention for this year. What do you want to accomplish?
Create a routine and follow it
Write 30 minutes every day
Keep a running list of ideas
Join a writing group
Recruit an accountability partner
Set mini goals and celebrate as you reach them
Go on a writing retreat
Sign up for a writing class
Create a music playlist that inspires creativity
Reread your favorite books on writing
Read excerpts of your manuscript in public
Attend a writing conference
Create a space at home that inspires and fuels your writing
Save your work to Google Drive so you can write from your phone or any computer
Take breaks
Hire an editor in advance
Don’t ask anyone’s permission—get it done
Find a writing mentor
To Promote a Book(s) Already Published
Gift a book to your local library
Request reviews from friends and family members
Plan your book-selling events for the year
Post a vlog a week related to your book
Join a networking group
Guest blog once a month
Create a workshop or seminar
Post at least one update to social media per day
Send a monthly email to your ambassadors with updates & achievements
Grow your email list through your website and at events you attend
Volunteer at a conference geared to your book’s audience
Promote your favorite authors
Update your website with reviews, event dates, and photos
Run a promotion that coincides with an event or milestone
Write articles that can be submitted to websites, blogs, and publications
Pitch a story to your local news outlets
Apply for book awards
Become a speaker
Add a call-to-action to your website, blog, or Facebook fan page
Create a Facebook group for your fans
Join the Goodreads author program
Create an Amazon Author Central account
To Push Yourself
Do NANOWRIMO in November
Write a piece unlike anything you’ve ever written
Read books by authors you’ve never read before
Take a week off from your regular schedule to focus on writing
Tell at lease one stranger a day about your works in progress
Finish an incomplete/retired manuscript
Send your first draft to beta readers and ask for feedback
Ask for what you need (i.e. support, reviews, social media shares)
Revise your manuscript based on edits and suggestions you’ve received
Critique someone else’s manuscript
Apply for a writing grant
Recruit a team to help you
Plan out the next couple books you’d like to write
Purchase a copy of the Chicago Manual of Style
Revamp your LinkedIn profile to reflect your published books
Say yes to something that terrifies you
To Keep You Sane
Go on a road trip
Splurge on something that’ll keep you inspired throughout the year (i.e. a new desk)
Purchase a planner to keep yourself organized
Take baths (don’t forget mood-boosting essential oils: lavender, mint, chamomile)
Go hiking
Meditate in the morning before you start the day
People watch at a place you’ve never been
Take yourself on a date—don’t think about work, writing, or your to-do list
Try yoga or breath work when you’re stressed
Get a massage
Celebrate your milestones
Write yourself a letter of encouragement and read it on days you feel fatigued or frustrated
Read something funny, lighthearted, or inspirational
Help someone in need
Take a vacation
Clean out your email inbox, delete unwanted files, and tidy up your computer desktop
Drink wine
Create a writing vision board
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