The end of 2018 is fast approaching, and many people will be making New Year’s resolutions. Although I'm not one to make lofty New Year's resolutions, I promised myself to make more of an effort in the upcoming year to implement some new writing strategies. Here are a couple of my ideas:
Most of the time I find myself writing whenever I can find some spare moments, but with several writing projects in progress, I need to rearrange my timetable and give writing a higher priority. After all, to become a world-class musician, one must practice for hours each day. It's no different for an author. Not everything I write needs to be publishable. It just needs to be.
- Read more often
Not just for research, but also for pleasure. There are so many new books and old classics out there - time to see what they are all about. Not to mention that this should help me hone my writing skills. Studying the masters that came before me can't hurt!
- Take regular breaks
I realize that on the surface it sounds counterproductive, but it’s been proven that short breaks increase creativity...not to mention that it helps me prevent stress-related headaches. At least every hour or so, I get up and move around, even if it's just to let my dogs outside to play. And because I have the tendency to forget or skip my breaks, I shall write them into my schedule.
- Get organized
There is nothing worse than being unable to find a file, tool, or phone number at that very moment when you need it the most. Thankfully, there’s a simple solution to this problem: Keep your workplace tidy! As I am fairly organized by nature, you would think that my desk is spit-spot all the time. Unfortunately, life can sometimes get in the way. So, I am resolved to take an extra minute every day to put things back where they belong.
The same goes for my computer. Keeping my computer files organized, labeling photos and files properly, and updating my schedule, helps me in the long run. Not to mention backing up my all of my files on a frequent basis ensures I don't lose my data. I have found that just a few minutes at the end of the day does the trick for me - now I just need to remember to do so!
Well, keep your fingers crossed that I can actually follow through on my goals!
Are you a New Year's resolutions kind of person? If so, what are yours?
May the new year bring joy, peace, and happiness to you and your family!
Sincerely,
Piper
Piper is the author of several non-fiction books, and recently added three historical fiction novels to her ever-expanding collection of published writings, In the Shadow of Her Majesty , The Country Girl Empress., and A Life in the Shadow of the Crown. When she isn't busy typing away on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Goodreads and Google+.
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