There could be two interpretations for this title; how to write a resolution, or resolutions about writing. In honour of this new shiny year, I’ve tried to embrace both. 10. Phrase your intention in a positive way. Don’t say ‘I will lose weight’; say ‘I will have a 30 inch waist’. 9. Make it Achievable. To reach the top of the mountain you have to climb for days. It’s not a journey completed in one step. Neither is writing a book or a play or whatever your project may be.  8. Resolve to do something that makes you smile. If thinking about it makes you happy, you’ve got a better chance of following through. If your first thought is “Oh crap” (or something less G-rated), I’d wager you have a smaller chance of success. 7. Keep it Simple. 6. Privacy is Good. No one needs to know your resolutions…unless you need peer pressure to keep them. On the one hand, I understand this. On the other hand, it mades me nervous for your success. 5. Just Do It. Nike is right. 4. Don’t m...

In honour of everyone putting new calendars up on their walls (I have two - one with chickens, one with penguins), here are ten resolutions to ponder. The seriousness and length of your pondering is up to you. 10. I will make healthier food choices . NOTE: The operative word, of course, is healthier. Healthier than what? And whose? You could choose to make Healthier choices than those made by King Edward VII of Great Britain who would routinely sit down to twelve course dinners. Good for you. Let me put down my pop tart and applaud. 9. I will take more exercise . NOTE: You walk from your desk to the refrigerator. You could have installed a fridge near your desk, but no, you chose otherwise. You’re an Olympian. 8. I will expand my vocabulary. NOTE: The verb in this resolution is ‘expand’, not ‘improve’. It’s not your fault if people assume the latter. I suggest spending some time familiarizing yourself with Shakespearean curses such as those found on this website, The Sha...

In January 2011, I wrote about stretching yourself as a writer. This New Year, how about we think about our future writing self? In your writing career, where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? What projects are you writing? How many? Are you self-publishing or going the traditional route? Have you moved into writing articles and non-fiction to promote your fictional works? Are you now writing screenplays? Coaching and editing? It's great to think yearly and organize what projects you plan to write within a year's time, but it's equally great (and important) to stop and widen, deepen the view of your writing career…and take notes. Knowing where you want to be will help you situate what you have to do now and in the immediate future in order to get there. ----- Writing in 140 is my attempt to say something somewhat relevant about writing in 140 words or less. ~~~~~~~~~~ Shon Bacon is an author, doctoral candidate, editor, and educator. She has published ...

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