With the start of a New Year comes new goals for our writing. But should you focus on? If your overwhelmed with how to take control of your creativity, then look no further than the Barn’s Top Ten 2020 Writing Resolutions:
10. Plan to Read Every Day: Reading is one of the only ways to boost your IQ, but it’s also one of the best ways to improve your writing. With so many wonderful bookstores such as Book People, it’s easier than ever to go out and buy a book. This year, set aside some time to read every day and give yourself access to a wealth of new ideas and improved writing in the process.
9. Write 1,000 words Per Day: Every writer knows that to write something good you have to write a lot of bad. So every day try to write 1,000 words of your novel, a short story, or even just something you make up on the spot to get those creative juices flowing.
8. Get Off Social Media: As fun as Twitter, Instagram, and this blog are, avoiding social media for even just a week will give you extra time to achieve your writing goals. If you abstain from social media, you’ll see yourself reach deadlines faster and improve not only your writing but your state of mind.
7. Go to a literary event: Austin is filled with worthwhile author signings and readings. Get yourself out their in the community and try out Bookwoman’s monthly Second Thursday Open Mic or head over to Bookpeople to see a favorite author or even join a book club.
6. Attend a Craft Class or Workshop: What better way to start the New Year right than taking your writing skills to the next level. Authors taking a course such as our our Write. Submit. Support class can help writers learn a litany of tips and tricks to set their writing projects in motion.
5. Take a break: Maybe you’ve been sprinting to finish that final draft or start a poetry collection. Maybe you even need a break from this list. No worries! Take some time to focus on you whether that means doing a retreat or taking a nap. This year, just remember to take a minute and enjoy all of your accomplishments.
4. Try Out a New Genre: Everybody has their favorite genre of books to read and write. But this year, break out of your comfort zone and explore new ground in your writing and reading to see where it will take you.
3. Make Mistakes: Instead of fretting about if your making the right literary choices, just go ahead and try them. Even if your wrong, you and your writing will most likely gloriously grow in ways you’ve never even dreamed of.
2. Tell the truth: Whenever you sit down to write, the hardest thing to do is be honest in your work. Above all, no matter how hard or frightening, write down your real feelings and watch your writing abilities deepen.
1. Call Yourself a Writer: Whether your published or not, writers are their most brutal critics. This year, go on a journey to declare yourself a writer and take control of your creative self. Maybe read about other’s experiences as well. Afterwards, ask yourself why you are one. For the rest of this year, dedicate yourself to those reasons or simply find out what those reasons are.
Let this year be your best writing year yet. You’ve seen our goals for 2020. Now go out make your own!
By Sarah Whalen