A New Year - What Will You Do With It?

Well, we are now almost done with the first month of the New Year. I am not usually one for resolutions (too many years of not even coming CLOSE knocked that out of me), but after the writing year I had last year, I have become a firm believer in setting yearly writing goals.

Becoming a writer is a difficult process. I mean, as moms, we have to be soooo many 'things' already - why add to it?

I think the most difficult thing about becoming a writer is having the courage to tell other people. This about it - when was the last time you replied "Oh, I'm a writer" when someone asked what you do. No, you probably thought of all the other things you do in your life (work, mother, etc) but many of us are afraid to label ourselves as a writer.I wrote a column for almost a year before I told other people that I was a writer. How silly is that?

OK, back to goals. The new year is a time of starting anew. Take this as a sign to think about and truly decide what you want to do with your writing this year. Do you want to find an agent? Make your first sale? Write daily for 15 minutes?

The point is, it doesn't really matter what the scale of your goal is, you just need a goal. Then, once you decide where you want to be at the end of the year, develop your road map. You should break it down by quarter and month at the very least. I am formerly anal retentive, so I use my monthly goals to create weekly and daily goals.

Last year I set several (writing) goals for myself and hit them all. It was a great feeling and I am aiming to feel like that again this year. So, if you want to take your writing to the next level, go take 10 minutes to think about what you want to achieve this year. Then the next day, take another 10 minutes to work up a game plan. If about a week you can be well on your way to having a more productive writing year in 2006!

Good luck!!

Alana

Here's my blog: www.domestically-challenged.blogspot.com