It’s RESOLUTION TIME! The trick is to make resolutions that are possible to keep. It’s been a long time since I made the “I will get a publishing contract” resolution or the “I will get stories into anthologies and magazines” resolution. These are typical writers’ resolutions and they are dangerous. Why? It’s obvious. You can resolve to finish manuscripts and to submit them, but you can’t resolve to get them published — that’s up to other people.
In my humble opinion, and with the disappointment of resolving to make things happen that were entirely outside my control, I aim for resolutions that are possible. Yes, I can publicly say that I’ll get the second draft of the novel completed and out to my agent in 2015. It’s doable and I know I’ll do my best to get it done.
In 2015, I’m also going to try to place more of my short stories in anthologies and magazines. I’ve tried this before with mixed results. The writing part isn’t the problem for me; it’s the chase game of submissions & rejections that gets me down. This year, I’m resolving to remember that some of my best stories were written to the specifications of anthologies that ultimately rejected the stories. If I treat the criteria as inspiration and try not to sweat the outcome, I’ve got a much better resolution.
What are your resolutions for 2015? Starting that novel? Finishing a draft? Reading Shakespeare? Taking a class? Share and inspire me to come up with more positive (AKA possible) resolutions.
I must resolve to finish my book! I got stuck again and put it away, so it’s just me avoiding it right now. I fully agree with picking resolutions that are doable. For me, that is upping my game in the freelancing department since that’s where I’m having the most luck.
Yes, resolving to finish a manuscript is doable! It’s the other stuff — that involves other people — that stops the resolution train. It’s also true that some novels take a great deal of time (years and years) and that some of those years are waiting times between drafts or when you’re stuck. Putting something away can, and often should, be part of the process. My current novel-in-progress (with first draft completed and being read so I’m biting my nails) is a completely new version of an idea I wrote many years ago. I simply wasn’t ready to tackle the story and to craft it until now. At least I hope this version is the one…. LOL… confidence waxes and wanes.
I never make any resolutions, but since just before New Year, I /have/ been writing again. It’s made me rather anti-social but …it feels great. 😀 I’m now at the point where I’m dreading the start of the school year at the end of January, and the start of me going back to work. I enjoy my teaching but the two processes are like chalk and cheese – not exactly compatible.
Maybe we should all try to get one novel written this coming year. 🙂
Maybe you should?! A new science fiction masterpiece from A.C. Flory. Sounds good to me.
Yes, writing is anti-social. I’ve been accused of writing instead of participating but — let’s face it — we’re writers and that’s what we do!