New Year’s Resolutions for Writers

Try making one or more of these New Year's resolutions to improve your own writing:

1. I will proofread diligently everything that I write, including emails, personal blog entries, and, of course, submissions to publications.

2. I will read at least one book that someone else has suggested that I read, even though I may not be immediately interested in the topic.

3. I will seek to identify excellent writing and apply the elements of excellent writing to my own articles, stories, or commissions.

4. I will volunteer my writing skills to a charity organization, political campaign, or to a cause in which I believe.

5. I will help someone else with his or her writing.

6. I will keep a diary or journal and make entries daily or weekly.

7. If someone criticizes my writing, I will attempt to take the criticism without offense and use the opportunity to objectively examine my writing.

8. I will take risks with my writing.

9. I will spend one fewer hour per day/week watching television, and apply that time to improving my writing skills.

10. Though I write for other people, I will find more time to write for myself, whether it means writing for fun or starting that novel.

11. I will take a class, contact an old friend, reconcile with the past, get to know someone new, try new foods, go dancing/skydiving/hiking/skinnydipping, adopt a pet, take a trip, or do something else that will enlighten/inspire/expand my knowledge/bring me peace.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites