the Cheat's Guide to Successful New Year Writing resolutions

Let me guess; you made three writing resolutions this year. One, you will take your writing more seriously. Two, you will get a publishing contract. Three, you will be famous. I have a mantra; God is a God of impossible situations. And it is His desire for you to do well in all you do. But He needs you to work with Him. To do that you need to set yourself realistic, practical and easily identifiable goals rather than broad statements of intent.

Let's start with the first resolution. Rather than declaring that you'll take your writing more seriously, start by listing how you'll take your writing more seriously. This could be by writing a certain number of words per week or month of your book. Or, sending off weekly or monthly submissions/query letters to magazines, publishers and agents you think may be interested in your work. Or, even better, concentrate on making your writing the best it can be by having your own blog/website which would showcase your skills to the outside world. You see what we're doing here? We're setting identifiable targets rather than making bland statements of intents that will probably fail the minute you list them.

Secondly, getting a publishing contract. Not an impossible resolution but one that needs to be teased out a bit more. Firstly, is your book ready to be published? Are you sure? The Association of Christian Writers and Writers Service have a manuscript editing service. They can cast their beady eye over your masterpiece and let you know if it's ready to be sent out to agents or publishers. Or, perhaps your writing skills need refining. If so, perhaps it's time you considered going on a creative writing course. There are a myriad of those available. Be careful. Do your research as there are many quacks out there ready to prey on unsuspecting budding writers. Bottom line; you can get a publishing contract but get ahead of the game by doing all that's required to get there.

Thirdly, being famous. If that's your primary reason for writing, then perhaps you're not a writer. Getting recognition for your work is not evil in itself. But pursuing it above all else should cause you to reflect on why exactly you write.

Here's to a new year of writing fulfilment.