Top Ten New Year Resolutions for Novel Writers

Everyone is getting their list of New Year resolutions ready, and here is my top list of New Year resolutions for novel writers! If your a novel writer and your number one resolution is to be successful in the next year, then be sure to make these resolutions too because they are designed to help make you successful.

1. I will organize my work space and keep it organized. The chaos probably doesn't help creativity to flow, and the germs and bacteria can make you too sick to write. Erase the clutter and wash off that dirt and dust on the desk, screen, printer and keyboard. Place a trash can nearby to prevent future clutter. Stop laying the soda cans around and putting the pizza box on top of the printer. If cleanliness is next to godliness, then get yourself as close to the divine and hopefully your muse as you can.

2. I will learn the grammar rules by heart. Everyone knows that the word processor grammar checker is not perfect, and sometimes it is downright frustrating. Knowing the rules by heart is a tremendous help in presenting a shining structurally sound novel to prospective agents and publishers. Not only that, the skill will carry over to other communications in your everyday life. It is a known fact that those who can write and speak well are more successful generally.

3. I will do some exercise at each writing session. Physical exercise in all forms is important for everyone. It doesn't have to be before or after writing just as long as you do it. Some say that exercising before writing helps them to concentrate and be more creative. Others prefer to exercise afterward as a way to unwind and move on to the next part of the day. But if you do it when you are blocked, the benefits outweigh the resistance to do it. Who knows, it may even save your life if you are otherwise sedentary.

4. I will make an outline for my next novel. While this step can make the writing progress much faster and smoother, writers tend to skip this step and start writing. Then when the story falls flat with hang-ups or boredom, the nonexistent outline haunts the writer with "what should have been done". This way, you might still have to make small changes while writing the story, but you won't find yourself lost halfway through. Tip: There are a lot of writer software titles to help you with this step!

5. I will make and follow a daily writing schedule. Set aside time each day to write and then do it. Don't go running off to the mall or movie theater. If something really does come up, then feel free to skip that day or reschedule.

6. I will write X amount of words each day or week. It is helpful to have a goal to look forward to completing. But only you know what you are realistically capable of. So pick a workable number and stick to it. The novel will get wrote a little faster too!

7. I will read a book a month for research. This can be a real writer's manual or a book that came from the public library. It is amazing what you can learn about the writing art by reading another's work. While some recommend reading the classics, I think that modern literature is better. It gives you a chance to enjoy it and it won't seem like such work then.

8. I will finish the novel by a deadline. When you have reached this goal, you will jump for joy because you have labored so long and you are finally through -- with resolutions 4, 5, 6 and 8 anyway. But don't celebrate too long because there is two ore resolutions to complete. Without them, you might as well put your manuscript on the shelf.

9. I will write an explosive query letter. This letter is your chance to get your foot in the door. Put as much effort into it as you did writing the novel and make it brilliant so that the recipient doesn't want to shut you out. There are quite a few books on this subject that you could check out, but you can read the same information on the web.

10. I will contact X amount of agents or publishers a month. Writing a book is hard, creative work but getting it published is just plain hard work. It is so easy to skimp on the hard work when you feel like writing the book was the hardest thing you ever done. But don't! Get that manuscript published. And don't become disappointed by a few declines. Even the best writers were declined at first.

See how easy most of them are? The hardest goals have smaller supportive goals to help reach the end as well as make the wish for success a reality- maybe by the next New Year! All you have to do is try not to let your New Year resolutions fall by the wayside by January 7. One way to skip this problem is by having another writer make these New Year's resolutions with you.