In January I wanted to know if you'd made any writing resolutions for the New Year, and my goodness, what an organized bunch of writers we are!

Some of you are very organized and have set yourself very precise targets, like Eva Bell, who sent in her resolutions for the year. "I have completed my research for my next book and have a working outline ready. I mean to write at least 500 words per day if not more, so as to meet my deadline of September 2007. To write a minimum of two short stories and two articles a month. I spent six months in 2006 traveling through Europe and USA, and if I really discipline myself, could write a lot. To respond to all the questions you ask in your letters. Never to leave the house without a notebook and pencil. To set aside one hour per day to wade through the press cuttings accumulated over the years, and junk what I don't need."

Another writer with a precise plan for the year is Janis I. Soucie: "There are so many projects on my list. Let's see...what have I chosen to work on this year? This year I plan to finish revising my current novel, an occult thriller titled The Choice of Centuries. Then I will be looking for a literary agent to help sell the manuscript to a publisher. When the revisions for the current novel are done, I plan on working on either another fiction or non-fiction novel that I have ideas for, but have not decided which yet. I am also searching for a publisher for my poetry and lyric compilation book, A Breeze of Whispers. So far that is the plan, but we'll have to wait and see how these 'New Year's Writing Resolutions' work out."

Others have set themselves less precise plans, such as Maggie Grinnell: "This year I have promised to myself to do two things: 1) submit more of my work and don't be afraid of rejection and 2) work on neglected stories no matter who/what tries to stop me (family, work, friends, procrastination)."

Carmen, from Australia, prefers shorter-term goals to annual resolutions: "I prefer mini-goals as I tend to get disappointed and frustrated if I make grandiose goals. When they don't eventuate, which is often, I feel like a failure. So I am learning the hard way to make smaller goals."

Melanie Bucher, however, prefers to make a detailed plan and to review it. "I make a list of New Year writing resolutions every year and have done so since I first started writing four years ago. I make sure that they're really specific so that I've got concrete goals to aim towards; so instead of telling myself that I'm going to write for a minimum of ten minutes everyday, I change it to I'm going to write a minimum of 500 words a day. This way, I know that I'll write those 500 words whereas with the ten minute resolution, I might only write two words in my allotted time period, which really isn't going to get me very far!

"This year, my resolutions are to break into three particular markets, which I've been wanting to crack for a while now; to build up my portfolio of clips; to triple my previous year's writing income; to complete the next assignment from my writing course (otherwise I'll never finish the programme) and to complete my historical romance ready for submission to the Romantic Novelists' Association New Writer's Scheme. Okay, this last one really is pie in the sky as it took me the whole of last year just to get a novel-length plot down on paper, but if it's on my resolution list, I know that I'll at least give it a good try.

"I usually stick my list of writing resolutions on my filing cabinet where I can see it every day. I even have little boxes next to each individual resolution which I can tick if and when I've achieved that goal, and I tell you, it's the most thrilling feeling in the world (well, almost) when I get to mark off that box.

"Towards the end of December, I review my writing resolutions and write myself a 'Ta-da' list - a list of achievements, no matter how large or small, from the current year. Giving myself a pat on the back is really important as writing is a lonely business and nobody else is going to do it for me. I've found, though, that it really motivates me in readiness for the coming year and pushes me to aim even higher with my next round of New Year writing resolutions."

Mariea Butler, however, has no truck with resolutions at all: "I don't like resolutions, I never have." But luckily for me, most of you do make resolutions and the rest of your useful tips for planning and your goals for the year, including Lou Ann Edwards' refreshing attitude to resolutions can be found below.

LouAnn Edwards:

• Release the guilt. I did the best I could today. I'm not a machine. I know that I care. I will keep on trying.
  
  
• Look at the big picture. Maybe I didn't make my writing goals this week, but over the last six months I've accomplished quite a bit. Add it up.
  
  
• Get organized. Go through the stacks and stacks of paper that are smothering my life and creativity. Set the timer for 2 minutes and de-clutter a pile. I can do this.
  
  
• Set realistic goals. I'm not going to lose 10 lbs., cook magazine cover meals, and get 15 queries out in one week. Think progress not perfection!
  
  
• Keep a smile file and read it often. Every time someone e-mails me a compliment about something I've written, I'm going to print it out. I'll also toss in clips of my favorite writers who inspire me and make me laugh.
  
  
• Be thankful. I will try to remember everything that gives me joy in writing. And even with all its pitfalls and disappointments, wouldn't it be terrible not to have it in my life? I will stay close to those who understand and support my passion to write. I will be thankful I have a dream.

Gene Alvin

"My resolution for 2006 was to get something, anything, I wrote, published. As it turned out, I had four short stories, two poems and one article published. This year I've added another goal to that of being published, GET PAID!"

John Harper

"I guess my 'plan' for this year in terms of writing is to sell a 10K word story I have written."

Brenda Gain

"My goal is to get the novel my husband and I are writing finished and published and to get to work on the next one so that we are no longer reliant on the uncaring cold corporate world. I'm sure the publishing world of novels can be cutthroat as well but I'm hoping our talents will be noticed and will pull us through."

Fiona Shearer

"My resolution for this year is to double the money I earned last year from my writing. In theory this should be easily achievable and is not so daunting as saying 'I must earn £5k (or more). So far, having been writing seriously for 2 years this has worked for me. Putting it into monetary terms works better than saying I must send out double the number of submissions!"

Simon

I am new to this writing game and spent most of last year trying to read as much as I could, including 'how to write' books and novels. I made a clear resolution this year to complete my book and to try to timetable some writing every day. I have been struggling with this however, and if I didn't get any writing done I would beat myself up about it and then my mood would drop which led to me doing even less writing! I realized that my goal was too vague and was therefore difficult to get a sense of achievement from it. I have now set myself a new goal which so far I have managed to keep to. I have set myself the goal of writing a minimum of 1000 words a day. I have found that this is easily achievable and I get a real sense of accomplishment from it. If I miss a day then I just make up for it the next day and write 2000 words. I did this today and it worked out well. Before I was worried that I wasn't spending enough time writing. This way it doesn't matter how much time I spend as long as I get the words down. If fact I feel now that I have more time than I did before. What is also helping me is to just write and not edit what I write until, say, a chapter is finished. The editing then becomes a separate task. This works well for me but may not work for others. You just have to find a way that works for you. I don't know if it is because I am writing nonfiction or not, but whatever the system you use the main thing is to get the words down on paper. At least then you have something to work with and not just ideas in your head.

Penny Vahey

Yes I did have writing business plan. I wrote it out on a long piece of paper but with all the mess on my desk I can't seem to find.

My Resolutions were to write or involve myself in writing every day. To have all possible newsletter or information at my disposal regarding writing. To have the first draft of my short story by the end of this month.

I have been wanting to write for the last twenty years and in that time I have dozens of outlines, research, opening sentences and most of the time the ending is already known. My fault is I can't get the story written. I find myself editing every sentence. I find myself checking facts or research before I finish a sentence. I am working on all my faults and since there is seven day left in this month I might be able to make the first draft doable.

Euketha Tolbert

This is the first year I will make a writing resolution. That resolution is to get serious about my writing career. To attend seminars and to write every day. Hopefully I will write my first book this year.

Louise Mandar

Shortly before Christmas, I decided to give freelance writing a sincere and determined go. Until then, my efforts were thwarted by other projects that paid more but didn't necessarily bring much pleasure (and the belief that a fun pastime like writing could be a source of income). So, my husband and I decided on a 2 year trial period to "make it".

The first quarter of the year, I will launch my website which will serve as a portfolio of my work, include a blog and possibly an ezine. I will also join a few blogs and focus on increasing traffic to those as well as the one on my site. By the second quarter with my site in working order and some traffic to my blogs, I plan on sending out 3 articles per week. Overall for the first year of this trial period, I aim to increase my yearly income from that of 2006.

Preeti Chandra

For me, the germination of the idea of writing for profit developed in the latter half of the year gone by.

It took me a while to reflect and consider, before I could decide that, I could, possibly have a potential to write creatively.

Writing requires a certain amount of self-worth, self-reliance, in addition to a willingness to give words to your thoughts, on paper. Keeping this in mind, I have joined the Creative Writing Course of The Writers' Bureau.

This year, my writing resolutions are to develop writing skills to the maximum level possible. I am on my way already and enjoying every bit of it. My resolution is to get at least two articles published in the forthcoming months.

I am optimistic enough to think, that by doing so, the feeling of satisfaction and self-worth will guide me to a promising future in writing.

Aaron Krogh

This year's New Years resolution is one I fully intend to stick with. I am simply going to finish both of my horror novels, critique them until my fingers fall off, and of course begin the task of looking for an agent.

Last Year my Writing Resolutions were to finish the horror novel I was working on while trying to write the sequel to it. Unfortunately my old computer tower which was ancient decided that it needed to take its last gasp of breath and finally quit on me. My first horror novel was saved on floppy disk and my new tower doesn't have that feature. Therefore my book is still stuck on floppy until I can get enough money to put it on the memory chip I've purchased for just that reason.

Laura Palmerchuck

I actually wrote down my "new years" resolutions on my birthday, sealed them in an envelope and put it in a secure place and vowed not to look at them until my next birthday (July 11). I figured if I went from birthday to birthday they would have more meaning to me, than the generic start of a new year for everyone. I turned 44 last year and birthdays have more meaning to me as time is running out. By not constantly focusing on those resolutions (sealed in an envelope) I am hoping it will reduce some of the stress of "maybe not quite living up to my resolutions". Also in a way I feel it almost turns it into a prayer. Ever read "Write it down, Make it happen"? My resolutions are somewhere in the back of my mind, not glaring me in the face saying : "You're not living up to. You're not living up to. You're not living up to." Anyway that's what I decided to do. Can't wait to open that envelope next July.

Romario Catania

The New Year is like a new page in life, after each revolution (the Earth makes a complete turn around the sun) we begin a new beginning, the date changes and you're getting older. That is why we celebrate New Year, it's not an excuse to have a holiday or meet with your relatives. This is the reason we have New Year resolutions.

Resolutions are sometimes a bit difficult and there are things which you resolute and couldn't achieve them. My resolution was to start writing frequently, I `m writing (or typing anyway) at the time of speaking but there's no guarantee that I keep this.

Resolutions aren't to be exaggerated, for example someone who smokes forty cigarettes a day isn't likely to keep a resolution if he says that he won't smoke anymore however if they make a resolution to gradually smoking less they might succeed. Writing resolutions are similar; a newbie isn't likely to succeed in a resolution that he would write a number of articles.

If you're an amateur writer you are more likely to succeed, because you have experience and haven't started the other day. However if you didn't succeed a resolution don't try it the next year, it is likely that you can't do it, for example if you say that you will write sixty articles in a month and you don't succeed you should make it forty or fifty, and if you succeed raise it the next year.

That is all I have to say on writing resolutions, and don't make resolutions that are not your level.

Tom Wright

Being of an age when to survive another year is reason enough for satisfaction, celebration even, I have given up annual resolutions. Especially as the ones I make, and their overwhelming number, mean that few, if any survive until Valentine's Day. Those that do survive are but faint memories by Easter.

However, that doesn't mean that I look only backward. Though, having said that, both the articles I have had published over the last year have been nostalgic pieces.

So the only "resolution" I make is made neary every day. It is to "Keep writing" with the further proviso that I must keep getting better, too.

Though I fear that I will still need to improve for a very long time.

Heiddi Z.

I am a newbie writer.and so my goals reflect that. I work, go to school, and have a family. I didn't have goals for last year and published three articles. This year my goal is to have 12 clips, one for each month including 2 paid articles. One paid article for June and one for December. I have a ready collection of rough drafts that I plan to shop around. I also plan to submit poetry to contests as well. ii hope this helps. Thanks so much for your wonderful newsletter!

Jill Earl

To add some background, I don't write resolutions and never had interest in doing so because I never could keep them, especially when I was younger and had to write them in school. When I decided to pursue writing last summer, becoming a newbie writer, I checked out some articles on writing goals and decided to make some for 2007. So, here they are:

1. I will write at least 10 hours weekly.
2. I will read at least 2 books in one of these genres every month: travel writing, food writing, memoir, essay, magazine writing, photography.
3. I want to research 2 new markets a month.
4. I will enter 5 writing contests this year.
5. I will attend one writer's conference this year.
6. I want to have 5 published clips this year.
7. I want to send off about 2 query letters monthly.
8. I want to join the Maryland Writers Association.
9. I want to take at least one writing class a quarter this year.

I've set up some spreadsheets on my home computer so that I'll be able to keep track of submissions and other goals. Even though it's only 4 weeks into the new year, I've achieved several of them and it'll be interesting to see if I can continue the pace.

Jane Farrelly

My New Year Writing Resolution is to actively pursue my ambition to be a writer and have some work published.

Two years ago I embarked on a writing course with The Writers Bureau in Manchester but shortly after was offered a new job which has pretty much taken up every waking hour ever since, as I was made a Director.

This year I am determined to complete the Writers Bureau course and to really focus on trying to have a magazine article published. I subscribed to Newbie Writers recently and it has already been a great source of inspiration and information, so thank you.

Howell Jones

Whilst the true author of 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions' might be a little obscure, there is certainly no ambiguity as to its immortality, especially where new year resolutions are concerned. At the end of 2005, I made a resolution to complete and publish a compendium of poetry during 2006. Very early in the new year before I had time to properly plan the project, I suddenly found myself running an online course and not long after, yet another. Before I knew it, the year was almost through and though I had done a lot of teaching, creative writing, and acting as mentor, my personal project still lay on the back burner.

At the end of 2006 and before I renewed my resolution to definitely complete my personal project, I realised that I would have to make some drastic changes to my present lifestyle. These included unsubscribing to a number of my more active discussion forums, a definite 'no' to teaching any online courses this year, and stepping aside from some of my ongoing local activities.

I also decided to tackle the book in a different way and instead of working towards one voluminous compendium, I decided to spread it over several shorter books.

Even before the end of the year, I had made a start on organising and rearranging my study, even placing an icon on my desk top to speed up access to the file.

At first it was very difficult not to be involved in all my usual activities but as I saw how well I was progressing it simply confirmed I had made the right decision. I have just received the final draft of the first (and smallest) book printed and coil bound at an economical price. I usually obtain a coil bound copy for my final edit and the synergy of seeing it complete with cover is a great incentive to keep going.

I aim to spend each morning on the project and whilst there are always necessary distractions, I have now firmly established my book(s) project as a top priority and endeavour to spend at least two hours a day at the computer.

So far - so good. What was it I said at the beginning?

Lula Thomas

I'm responding to your questions of this year's resolutions. Since I got myself busy last year and dedicated myself to becoming a WRITER, as opposed to "dreaming" of being a writer, I dug in my heels. For a while, I was lost as how or what to do. But, by searching different places on the internet, I happened to chance upon a writing guild not too far from my hometown. I contacted them and through them, I learned of different contests happening everywhere on the net. I entered some and submitted articles to other publications. Then the waiting game began.

In the meantime, I learned of the syndicated e-zine, American Chronicle, and applied there to become a contributing writer. I got accepted! Finally, in 2006, I became published for the first time as my first article appeared on AC. To this date, I'm still receiving views on that first article (inching toward 1,000 already), and all my subsequent articles have received satisfactory numbers too.

My goal for 2007? To finish the revision on my romantic novel. I hope and am striving to get it in excellent shape to be submitted for a publisher or agent.

But already two goals are met. One, that I've been published and am regularly published at American Chronicle and two, to sell my work, which has just happened. I sold my first article today!

Dreams really can come true!

Beth Cooper

I find that writing resolutions tend to change with the hour! Since I am a magazine journalist and almost-author, my daily schedule changes depending on which magazine accepts a proposal or whether I'm able complete another half-decent chapter of my book.

My resolution is therefore:

Learn to Relax about your Resolutions. Sometimes the greatest plans go awry at the drop of a pen (!), yet the most phenomenal aspect of our chosen careers is that we have the option to actually *use* what happens to us - every single moment becomes another observation, another potential sentence and a self-help book in the making! Isn't that wonderful? So if you don't manage to write that "hour a day" you'd promised to do - or if your book deal turns sour at the last minute - turn tension and tantrums into a witty one-pager on life and its curveballs.

In short, my resolution for 2007 is - Happy YOU year!

John E. Gibbons

Generally I do not make resolutions of any kind because I fail at keeping them routinely. However, as a Screenwriter; that is what I now fully conceive myself to be, I am obliged to motivate myself not only to write, but to pitch what I've written. I am resolute to believe in my creative talent, to improve and learn my craft and to not be discouraged by pretentious nae-do-wells. I further resolve to be open minded to constructive criticism while ignoring all commentary designed out of ego to deflate ambition and perspective of a newer talent. A hide as thick as a Rhinoceros may be what is required, if so, may I acquire it! Edgar Allen Poe, and Mark Twain had their critics, too. Keeping criticism out of the creative processes is I believe essential if one hopes for originality. Negativity breeds negativity.

Tanja Cilia

Really it's not a question of increasing clips, or words, or time spent at pc. It's one of producing good quality original well-researched material that editors will want to buy, and working hard to place it. If you need to hone your skills by giving away work to voluntary organisations, and money is not that much of a priority with you, just do it, without heeding people who say you are wasting your time and talent. You're not really - you're investing it.

Bonnie Tait (Scotland)

I am a complete newbie, since only last September. I tried to plan ahead and give myself goals but unfortunately nature, luck,fate, whatever you want to call it, stepped in. I had had a fall in March, fractured my right wrist and unfortunately a metal pin, which should have been in position for six weeks, was taken out after only two. The outcome meant that as I had just started to plan my new writing career, I had to go through another operation. A new surgeon in November,took a bone graft from my hip and inserted two pins to hold the bones in place. Fate stepped in again and as he had not secured them in position, they moved. The same operation was repeated in December and I have another two weeks before the plast cast comes off. Typing with one hand is slow.

Sorry it doesn't stop there. I was on my way to work, ( a nurse part time) and stepped off the bus into a pothole and broke a bone in my foot. Now if you can stop laughing for a moment, let me tell you, I am still planning, only now it's only a few weeks ahead at a time in case I cannot make the deadlines.

Ann Isik

A review of my Goals Plan for 2006 revealed to me my weaknesses! Painful as it was to confront, the plus side was that I could try and figure out a way of getting round these. I spent the first week of January working out a very exact table of my Professional and Personal Goals Plan for 2007. All the areas of my life I want to progress are in this Plan, with targets for completion of tasks. I then set up an admin system that will hopefully make it more possible for me to achieve these goals.

I then made a timetable in table form for January, with the headings: Task, Goal, Deadline, Achieved. At the end of January I will be able to see how much of each task I've managed to achieve and when I do my timetable for February, I'll be able to make adjustments accordingly.

For instance, as far as admin is concerned, I have a row of white cardboard magazine holders on one of the shelves in my writing 'Tardis' (it's a secretaire with a desk for my laptop and a set of shelves above. It closes down quite small, but holds a lot of stuff, hence the name 'Tardis'! One of these white magazine holders is just for my novel. Another is for my web site. When I work on the novel, for instance, I take the holder down.

Also, I have some ring binders. I've a couple of these separated into monthly sections. I'm putting all the writing contests that I might want to have a go at, by deadline date. The first task for each month on my timetable is to select a contest to take part in with a deadline two months ahead, i.e. the first day of February I will check out what contests I've collected with a deadline in April and start work on it this month.

In this respect, I've already started making notes for the script I'm going to write for the BBC World Service International Radio Drama competition, which has a deadline of 30 April. (Yes, I know, there's not much chance of my winning that one)! I'm doing it anyway. It means I have to learn how to write a script for the radio, etc, so I can start researching this now.

I don't know how my plan will work out. My head feels lighter! I feel less confused! And I can say that the first thing I did after I finished my plan and timetable, was to chase up a competition I entered last November. As a result, I'm going to have something published online, I've been asked to do another article for the print version of the magazine and the editor is also interested in seeing another piece of work I'm writing. This is my first real professional publishing success!

I know that, with me, I have to be very rigidly organised - I wander off very easily - been doing it since I was a kid - I was forever being brought back home by large, organised 'posses'! I am even working with my mobile phone next to me, with its alarm clock set to go off once every hour - that way, I can fetch my mind back 'home' to the task in front of me!

First thing every day I make an entry in my journal, which sweeps out all the nasty negativity I've accumulated from the day before and where I list what I plan to do that day.

As I say, I don't know how this plan is going to work out and I'd appreciate any feedback.

Katherine G Abbott

I find that when I make long term resolutions to get on with writing my novel with a deadline of "On the first day of next month I will write Chapter One" the first day of the month arrives and I resolutely do not do any writing.

The only way that has worked for me is using "Simpleology" a technique that clears a great space for writing or for whatever other project you want to get on with. Check it out at their website.