Writers are no different from most people in that we, too, make New Year's Resolutions, oftentimes lots of them. However, instead of pledging to lose weight, stop spending so much online, or cut down on the buttered popcorn, etc., like normal people, we generally resolve to write more. Sometimes the resolution is specific. We pledge to finally finish that novel, poem, screenplay, biography, etc. Or we might vow to write 500 words a day seven days a week no matter what, even if that much-heralded zombie apocalypse finally arrives. Other writers' resolutions are more general...we promise ourselves we will write more words, more often. We staunchly swear to avoid temptation in the form of chocolate or its near relative, romance. We're not going to watch television or movies and plan to totally ignore the publication of new books by favorite authors. We'll overlook family craziness in general, particularly that created by our children. We're so sure we're g...

Every year at this time, people resolve all kinds of things. I notice this at the exercise classes I attend. The first week in January, the rooms are packed. By March, things are pretty much back to the way they were the previous October. Most of these people have probably (I haven't surveyed them, so I can't be positive) decided they want to "lose weight" or "get in shape" and figure a workout at the gym, or a yoga class, or whatever they've chosen, is the way to go. Some may drop out because they're not a good fit for the exercise routine, which is certainly acceptable. The others probably drop out because they're not seeing the results they expected. But what were those expected results? Resolutions are lofty dreams. "I will make the NYT Best-Seller List." Or "I will make enough money writing to quit my day job." Or even, "I will finish three books this year." What people need to do is set goals. Around my h...

Whilst skating about various social media sites, I’ve encountered more than one person discussing their ‘word of the year’: A word which encapsulates their goals for the upcoming twelve months. I liked this idea and so I boldly took the next step: choosing a word. But which word to choose? First, I thought ‘Let’s dream big’ and I chose success . Then I thought, ‘But that could simply mean getting through the day without killing anyone (literally - remember, I write murder mystery games so there’s usually a hypothetical body on the floor somewhere). Or it could mean I successfully ate the last cookies in the jar. Or ‘Hurrah, you found a different recipe for dinner instead of the old tried and true six recipes you usually employ.’   Digression : I have a bookshelf of cookbooks and am addicted to adding to my collection. I use three of them - and of those three, I use them for very specific dishes. For example, I would never consider looking for a brownie recipe (digression in...

The end is here. Another year has come and gone. Like me, do you feel you could use another month to catch up with everything undone from 2014? That’s one reason Gurutej Khalsa’s book, The 13th Month: How To Get An Extra 29 Days Each Year , caught my attention. I first learned of this author through my yoga practice – I’ve enjoyed her video, Chakra Yoga , for many years.  So I knew the foundation of the book would be rooted in yoga practice.  However, it’s written in a decidedly accessible and conversational voice, and nothing in the suggestions would keep the average person from applying the techniques.  As I read each chapter, a handful of ideas resonated with me, and these are the ones I’ll apply or ramp up in the new year. Let’s begin with the areas of food and exercise. I've long had a healthy diet, eating mostly organic (and often homegrown or locally acquired) foods. I exercise daily, in some combination of walking (3-5 miles), weight lifting, ...

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...

10. To write more . I leave the precise definition of ‘more’ up to you. 9. To read more . Reading will inspire you. What it will inspire you to do can vary. It might improve your own work, demonstrating new ways to explore your themes or deepen your characters. Or it might make you want to set fire to your WIP. I urge you to resist the latter. Unless you’re cold. In that case, I urge you to make another copy before you burn the one. Just a suggestion. 8. To fill your food drawer with healthy snacks . I leave the precise definition of ‘healthy’ up to you. Don’t even bother trying to deny the existence of the food drawer. It’s there. It might not be an actual drawer, but it’s there. Admit it. Confession is good for the soul. 7. To set personal deadlines . Deadlines imposed by the outside world are different. They’re already set and carry real consequences. Ignore them at your professional peril. 6. To meet personal deadlines. This is the hardest resolution of all. That...

The approaching climax of 2012 brings a curious mixture of closures and beginnings. It’s hard to believe the year that just started is reaching its end. It’s even harder to fathom that the fears surrounding the beginning of the new millennium and potential ramifications for the world’s computers (which never happened) occurred thirteen years ago. Now we see 2013 on the horizon. Some believe the world will end prior to its arrival. Others struggle with financial woes that have plagued the economy and seem destined to continue into the coming year. Still others are making plans to forge ahead with new ideas and new hope. As this year closes and we reflect on its gifts and ponder the tenuous peace in Gaza and lack thereof on the terrorist front, we find ourselves looking ahead even as we peer over our shoulders at what we are leaving behind. Personally, I love working with writers, and I want to continue with Blood Red Pencil because of the wealth of information it brings to the wr...

 Once again, Tracy Farr, (who considers himself somewhat of a writing coach) steps in with some advice for writers: Taking a look back at my Old Year’s resolutions You wouldn’t believe the number of people who have asked me where I get my story ideas. I can count them on one hand. One finger, to be more precise. It was my mom. I think she was bored. Anyways, story ideas come from everywhere – your pets, your car, your spouse (with prior permission), and other writers who live far, far away, because you’d be just plain stupid to “borrow” an idea from someone who might actually read what you’ve pinched. But sometimes an idea plops itself right down in your lap (usually when you’ve forgotten to cover it with a napkin), and you’d be foolish not to make something useful from it. Here’s my latest thought: The way I figure it, New Year’s resolutions are a dime a dozen. Everybody makes them. Everybody breaks them. Some of those people are writers who think their readership would ...

The New Year is usually a time for reflection on the year past and making resolutions for the future. I don’t normally make resolutions (weight loss, be a better person, etc.) because I know I’ll break them immediately! However, setting writing goals is something I’ve been doing for several years and although I don’t always meet them, it’s fun to look back and see how many I actually did get to. That helps make me feel better when I’m thinking I didn’t have a good writing year. So, my challenge to you all is to set goals for 2011. Be specific and set dates. For example, my goals for this year: 1. Clean and organize my office first week of January 2. Plan Virtual Book Tour for February 10-20 3. Plan “reality tour” in Montana June 15-30 4. Finish first draft of WIP by August 1 5. Revise manuscript for submission by December 1 Some other suggestions might be: 1. Set a time for writing every day 2. Write 1,000 words a day (or five pages, or whatever is doable for you) 3. Fi...