Post #69 – Women’s Memoirs, Author Conversations – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Welcome all writers to 2012. A new year. A time of new beginnings. A time for reflection. A time to decide what you want to do with your writing life.
Many years ago, the president of a highly successful academic publishing company was visiting and we somehow got around to the topic of new year’s resolutions. She told me that for previous dozen years, she and her husband had stayed home on New Year’s Eve and celebrated by laying out their professional and personal plans for the coming year. That stopped me in my tracks.
From that year forward, I adopted her approach. What better way can there be to set the tone of the coming year than to decide what one wants to accomplish.
This year, Women’s Memoirs invited readers to tell us about their new year’s resolutions. We think you’ll get a lot of ideas for your own year in what Sara Etgen-Baker sent us.
Have you made resolutions about your writing? We invite you to share them in the Comments section below.
A WRITER’S NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
By Sara Etgen-Baker
Sometime between Christmas and New Year’s every year, I walk through my life—room by room—and make a list of my shortcomings. The cracks that need repair and the unfinished work that needs to be done become the basis of my new year’s resolutions. Then shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve, I expect the universe to pause long enough so that I can note the passage of another 12 months and write some truly meaningful resolutions; yet, no breathless moment of silence occurs. So typically on New Year’s Day—somewhere between packing up holiday decorations, cleaning our house, and running errands—I dutifully scribble my New Year’s resolutions into my blank journal for the upcoming New Year.
Yet while writing this piece, I realized my methodology is defective and doesn’t foster results. So this year as I open the journal’s blank pages, I’ll de-emphasize my flaws and focus instead on my untapped writing potential.
FOR 2012, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
- I’ll break free from what I feel most comfortable writing and do something new whether it’s a new genre, a new format, or an unpredictable new character.
- I’ll pen a daily journal knowing that it places memories at my fingertips, gets my creative juices flowing, and helps me explore new writing ideas.
- I’ll keep the faith and trust in my writing instincts and abilities. Doing so will boost my self confidence and extend my enthusiasm.
- I’ll write on a regular basis by planning a writing schedule and sticking to that schedule.
- I’ll finish every story I write. I must remember that unfinished stories are unread stories; unread stories are unpublished stories.
- I’ll regularly enter contests, submit articles, and write query letters, for doing so increases my chances of getting more “yes” replies from editors.
- I’ll designate my writing space and use that space solely for writing.
- I’ll study the craft of writing by either reading books, taking a writing course, or learning at the feet of a master wordsmith.
- I’ll promote myself wherever the opportunity arises, for I realize that self promotion is an important part of being a writer.
- I’ll create an online presence, for I acknowledge the power of technology in nurturing my career.
- I’ll share my knowledge and encouragement with others, for I recognize that the writing community is all about sharing. Writers learn from and are assisted by others.
- I’ll remember the 3D’s—determination, discipline, desire.
- I’ll remember that, as a writer, I’m one of the most blessed people on the planet and won’t let the rough moments get to me.
- I’ll enjoy every minute of writing that I am fortunate enough to receive by focusing on the journey—not the destination.
- I’ll call myself a writer. I don’t have to wait to claim the title of a writer. Instead, I’ll claim it and wear it proudly.
