WinR Stuff

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Ring in the New Year with Writer Resolutions

It's that time again - time to dust off last year's resolutions and come up with goals for 2016. Here are thoughts from a few of the Writers in Residence.  How about you? What are your goals for the next twelve months? We'd love to hear from you! 











Miko Johnston

My resolution - to be a little better and do a little better - is always the same even if the intent behind it varies throughout the years.


Bonnie Schroeder

I have two writing goals for 2016: (1) find a publisher for my latest novel, which should be ready to go out into the world by the end of this year, and (2) complete a draft, however clumsy, of my next novel, which currently lives on multiple scraps of paper strewn across on my writing table.

G.B. Pool


I have never made a New Year’s Resolution so I won’t 
now. I know myself well enough after all these years to say I will do the best I can in whatever I take on because that is the way I was raised. My dad told me once that no matter how good I thought I was at something, he thought I was better. He had that much faith in me. So I would never do anything by half measures. That isn’t to say that I am better than anyone else. Far from it. I can’t sing and I can’t dance and I’m not Rembrandt. But I always do the best I am capable of and I keep learning new things and next year will be no exception. God gave us all talents. Find yours and share it with the world.



M.M. Gornell


I'm remembering my 2015 resolution to Do it now, tomorrow is not guaranteed. Several people and critters I've known and loved have moved on this year, so my 2016 resolution, once again, but with more emotion and intensity, is -- Do it now, tomorrow is not guaranteed. In my writing life, that means, "Finish the gal-darned book!"


Rosemary Lord


2016 has to be the year I get myself organized! Well, mostly I resolve to organize my time better, so I can focus my time on my writing – instead of on putting out other people’s fires!

I have so many short stories, books, articles to write and share - And most of all, I resolve that this is the year that Lottie Topaz will be launched. Phew! I’m exhausted already! So I want to wish our readers a wonderful, healthy year ahead. Let’s make 2016 the best writing-and-reading year yet!


Jacqueline Vick


It sometimes seems my resolutions repeat themselves every year. Like Rosemary, getting organized it top on my list, but it never seems to happen!  So, maybe this year, I will try to make sense of my disorganization and work within my own sloppy system. I have three books in various stages that I want to get out, including Civility Rules, which should be out in January. 

Of course, as I talk about things I'd like to accomplish, my nemesis is staring me down. Marketing. Will this be the year I final figure it out and have a working strategy? Fingers are crossed!


Jackie Houchin

I resolve to repeat a resolution I made years ago (and mostly fulfilled), to visit a museum (any kind) or place of interest (Presidential Library, Mission) or learning place (manufacturer, local wilderness park, etc) at least once per month. Because of my recent posts on Writers in Residence "Where Do Writers Get Ideas" and Marilyn's Musings "Field Trips for Writers," I think this is a great way to stir up my thoughts towards new stories, ways of writing, or to simply gather research. 




"The Red That colored the World" exhibit at The Bowers Museum in Orange County is my first stop, then maybe the nearby Mission at San Juan Capistrano for a little history or crafts time. (Oh, gosh, there's also a local ceramics place where I can paint and fire beautiful creations!)

How will I be inspired? What stories will I write? I'll check back with you later this year.

Kate Thornton

It's easy to come up with pie-in-the-sky resolutions; we are probably all guilty of this. It's likewise easy to trot out the tried-and-trues: weight loss, health and world peace. But we are writers. Let us resolve to meet reachable goals of the writerly kind.

I resolve the following:

To use the semi colon more often and properly
To gently but firmly correct public misspelling wherever I find it
To guide new writers with kindness
To try harder to meet deadlines, realizing that a deadline is a reader's way of wanting more of your work. Really, what can be more flattering than a deadline? And what more gracious response can there be than to meet it?
To honor my fellow writers by buying and reviewing their work
And finally, to finish that half-written manuscript

Well, maybe that last one is unrealistic, but I will give it a try. I have a feeling that this will be our best year ever. Be kind to youselves and others. Good things will always follow.
 

12 comments:

  1. And, wishing all a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year!

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  2. I wrote a blog this week that relates to New Years resolutions.
    http://virgilalexander.weebly.com/blog/guest-blog-by-author-jl-greger-winter-writing-tips. Only I thought many are turned off by resolutions and called it- Avoid the January writing blogs.

    JL Greger, author of I SAW YOU IN BEIRUT

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  3. I never do resolutions, but do have a vision for my New Year as it pertains to my writing, much the same as what I did last year. Write and promote two books. Happy New Year!

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    1. Go, Marilyn! As you know, you are my inspiration--any year!

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  4. Happy New Year to all of you. My resolution, after firing my agent--long story--is to nab a publisher for a new anthology of personal essays I plan to edit on the topic of equality. What do you think about when you think of equality? Paul

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    1. Good luck with finding a publisher, Paul! And as always, thanks for stopping by and supporting Writers in Residence!

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  5. I don't seriously make resolutions anymore, but have vowed to get into real depth with promoting my latest book and am determined that 2016 will be a great year. Happy New Year to all of you and this is a great blog.

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    1. Good luck with your new book, Jackie! And sooo glad you like the Writers in Residence. I too, always learn something from my fellow writers here. Thank you, for stopping by!

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  6. I loved all these WinR resolutions (or non-resolutions). They inspire and encourage me! Kate, what an admirable list of resolutions for a writer to make - and all with the best to the receiver in mind!
    Finishing books and publishing books - what exciting goals you have, Bonnie, Madeline, Rosemary, Jackie Vick, and Gayle. I know they will be realizied... or you will (well, not die, but certainly exhaust yourselves trying!)
    Gayle, your father inspires me vicariously!
    Janet Gregor, thanks for visiting us. I read your blog and agree whole-heartedly. I am now also very interested in your books. Shall I begin with "Malignancy" or with "I saw you in Beruit" (I love travel, romance, bits of science, mystery!) Come back and see what we are doing often!
    Paul (mindprinter) how do you market an anthology of person essays?

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  7. I am happy to see that my fellow Writers-in-Residence are always optimistic, about themselves as well as others. That alone spurs us all on. And our various guests are feeling that optimism, too. That bodes well for this coming year. Three cheers to our endeavors. Happy New Year.

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  8. Like others, I don't do resolutions. However, I'm keeping positive thoughts for all of us to have a new year with pleasant surprises involving great books. : )
    Marja McGraw

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  9. Look how exciting this coming year is going to be! All of this promised writing industry. So many new ideas and inspired fellow writers and readers. And look at all the encouragement and support.... it's going to be a great year!

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