It’s a new year! I know many of us are very much looking forward to a fresh start in 2012, a year full of Excitement! Possibility! Potential! As long as we don’t all die in the apocalypse!
And with this new year comes those pesky promises we make to ourselves. Do you have any writing resolutions for 2012? A novel you want to finish or a habit you want to kick or a manuscript you want to finally send out?
I would like to write better evocative gestures and character-revealing details in 2012. What about you?
Matthew MacNish says
I'll settle for author representation, and it feels close at hand.
Happy New Year, Nathan!
Cara M. says
I will write fewer aimless scenes about cooking, and instead drive the plot forward!
Arief Zainal says
I will write more than I did last year.
And try to show more than tell.
Mr. D says
Finish my WIP, which i should do this week, (first draft) and sign a third contract.
Stephanie Bolmer says
Yes: FINISH THIS NOVEL!
walterdinjos says
I do have one. I shall enrol for The Writers Bureau's Comprehensive Writing Diploma Course.
minawitteman says
No resolutions, Nathan, just goals: find an editor that will fall in love with You're Not Icarus, my YA thriller, just as my agent and I did.
Happy New Year! May all your wishes and dreams for 2012 come true.
A.L. says
Get my first rejection letter for a short story or full length novel.
Also, just more writing in general.
CourtLoveLeigh says
Happy New Year, all!
My ultimate goal is to finish my WIP and to then submit it for representation, but I've broken up that goal into smaller, more manageable bits. Crossing my fingers and holding my toes. Good luck, everyone!
LilySea says
If this book doesn't land an agent, write the one that will.
If it does, write the next one…
Lauren says
My goal of 2011 was finish the book. So for 2012? Finish editing and send out the manuscript!
kristinmcfarland.com says
This is my year for submissions! Scary but exciting.
Theresa Varela says
My resolution is to continue enjoying my writing and my new philosophy that each rejection brings me closer to the inevitable acceptance. Happy New Year.
Tren Bren says
To get those characters out of my psyche once and for all, and send them on their way. And have them stop butting into the ironing and country walks!
Marianne Bascelli says
I will finally draft my story, getting out of my head and breathing the fresh air. 🙂
Vivacia says
Happy New Year Nathan!
I posted on new Year's Eve my "goals" for 2012 (as I never stick to resolutions!) and they were to finish the second draft of my novel, get someone else to read it, and to submit three short stories to paying markets. The second one terrifies and excites me in equal measures…
Suze Reese says
The first in my ExtraNormal series is being released later this month, and then comes the real challenge of starting and completing the second in the series before the year ends. Speed writing is an entirely new concept to me. I worry the quality will suffer. But I've been double-dog dared, so what do you do?
Morgan says
My resolution? Is to find balance. I tend to ignore life while writing… 😉
Collectonian says
My writing related goals for 2012 (never do "resolutions"):
# Finish editing current wip
# Make at least 24 new posts to my two subject-specific blogs(preferably at least 12 each)
# Try writing one or more novellas and self-publish on Amazon
abc says
get er done!
writersink says
Finish editing my WIP and finally send it out.
Anonymous says
To stop eating while I write. I gained 10 lbs with the first book.
Anonymous says
To write like it's a job, not a plaything. To be rewarded for such dogged work and turning writing into a true blue, paying the bills job.
Bryan Russell says
I have all sorts of writing goals for 2012. Also, more sleep. I think I'm going to take sleep vacations.
"Where'd you go on your vacation?"
"I went to sleep. It was grand."
Julie Daines says
To expand my subplots. I alway have great main characters and plots, but my manuscripts end up about 7K words too short. I need some darn good subplots to lengthen my work!
Also, what you said. 🙂
Stephanie [Luxe Boulevard Bridal] says
My goal was to finish my manuscript by the end of the 2011 year and be ready for submission by Spring. So I'm a few days behind. I have two chapters (one scene) to work a couple kinks on.
Then my 2012 goals are to get at least one agent to request a full manuscript and attend my first conference.
D.G. Hudson says
I posted my writers resolutions on my blog, but my objective is to keep moving forward, keep the time schedule tight, and get into submitting mode for my novel.
Check my sidebar for my 2012 resolutions list: (in brief format)
DG Hudson – Rainforest Writing
Sarah Allen says
I've got a few. Mostly specific projects I want to get done, like a second novel and a screenplay.
Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
Michael Abayomi says
I've got quite a few goals for the year actually.
https://michaelabayomi.blogspot.com/2012/01/goals-and-resolutions-for-2012.html
Michael Abayomi
International (Self-Proclaimed) Bestselling Author
Mira says
Happy New Year, Nathan! I hope you had a completely relaxing and fun holiday. 🙂
I like the picture for this post – cute.
My resolution is to start my blog, which is connected to my non-fiction writing, and will hopefully get some projects started.
I've also decided to start writing poetry. I'm not a good poet, I'm pretty bad actually, but I love writing it so much, I've decided what the heck. So, 2012 will be my year to write bad poetry to my heart's content.
Jeannie says
I will write at least 500 words a day. I will also make sure that every scene moves the plot forward, and I will better characterize my characters.
Ravenous Woman says
I want to write every day. EVERY day, even if it's just a blog post. Also, I want to finally finish my book- I'm down to my 3rd round of edits and rewrites!
Vinyl and Mono says
Yeah. Trying to quit.
M.A. Leslie says
First, I have to agree with Bryan, sleep would be amazing. This year though, is going to be a great writing adventure. I am going to start doing some freelance with a local paper and we still hope to get one of our books Traditionally published.
Hiroko says
This is the year I'm going to try to publish my first novel. I hope all goes well.
Andrea says
I will be throwing my hat in the Children's writer ring with a picture book. Looking forward to the challenge!
Chicki says
I will not be overwhelmed with promotion and marketing again and will write more instead.
Bryce Daniels says
I'm with Matt in the first comment. Snagging an agent is first on my agenda.
I feel, humbly, that this is the year for "The Commuter," my WIP.
New acronym: WIPP= Work In Publishing Process
Happy New Year, Nathan! Blessings to you and yours.
Anonymous says
My goal is to FINALLY land a good agent. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Mark Beyer says
I'm putting the finishing gloss on my new novel, WHAT BEAUTY (Siren & Muse Publishing, march 2012) … then on to more notes for the next novel. At 48 years old, I'm at my most creative energy level, and have eyes only for good, solid story.
Misha Gericke says
I've got more than one writing goal, but right now my main focus is on finishing edits to my main WiP before the end of June.
tricia-linden.com says
You're freaking kiding, right! You want me to publish my goals for 2012? Then I might be held accountable and have to really live up to my expectations. No, really, I just want to publish three more books this year. Totally doable, don't you think?
Enjoy always, T
Dorothy L. Abrams says
I would like to improve my first drafts without choking the creative spirit. This includes more showing and less telling, sharper conflicts, deeper struggles and self doubt in my characters.
I also must finish a non fiction title for which I have a contract: Identity and the Quartered Circle.
I need to find a publisher my novels in the Cup and the Ring series. (My non fiction publisher doesn't do fiction).
Write more consistently in my Blogs and marketing pages. One of them is Writing in the NY Lake District https://writinggoodstuff.blogspot.com/ which people are welcome to join as contributors if they ask and are serious.
Diana Rajchel says
Mostly I have an action plan geared towards production. I have a book on contract, so that comes first. Right now my day is work on the book, then write 1700 words total on any project or group of projects and five posts a day on one of the blogs I write. It requires me to get up earlier, but I'm pretty sure it's a workload I can handle.
BECKY says
Hi Nathan. I don't make resolutions, but I set goals for myself. I'm journaling every morning, writing my memoir every day, reading parts of "writerly" books that inspire me and jump start the fire in my soul. So far, so good! 🙂
Anonymous says
To finish.
wendy says
Evocative gestures…yes, every novel needs these character revealing details. They can be tricky to get right without continually resorting to eye and eyebrow movement. I'm wondering, though, if it's more about how the sum of the parts add up to make us feel about something – not just see and understand. I'm sick of conflict. After watching show after show, reading story after story of conflict and suffering I'm a nervous wreck. I want joy and fun – and beautiful discoveries. It can be made to work – anything can be. Perhaps with a new approach to plotting, structure, theme.
Let us take new paths this year in our creative journeys. Move culture and thought forward and not just repeat the same formulas and awareness.
Amen *g*
Rashad Pharaon says
Polish up two manuscripts which I've finished, When Kings Fall and Not Without My Demons. Unfortunately I got carried away on the second and ended up at 160,000 words–time to pull out the editorial chainsaw, put on my goggles, and keep a box of tissue nearby as I weep and kill my darlings. Wishing everyone a happy and successful New Year.
Maya says
Yes, to finish by WIP. Sadly, that was my resolution last year and I totally failed. But this year, FTW!
Grapeshot/Odette says
Find an agent or publisher or get novel onto the Kindle. Finish another novel. Do a couple short stories. Improve my craft. Take courses. The usual.