The New Year is a time for renewal. It’s a time when we reassess the year that’s just passed and resolve to make the next one better yet. This is especially important for aspiring authors. Have you made your resolutions for 2015 yet? If not, these tips will help get you started:
- Set goals. Seems simple, right? Still, you’d be amazed how often writers make a list of resolutions with no clear set of goals to help them keep their resolutions. Consider these “mini” resolutions – and consider them important.
- Facilitate goals. Remove any hurdles that might prevent you from keeping your resolutions. For example, if time is an issue, consider working fewer hours or cutting back on social engagements to make time to meet your goals.
- Read. It’s the surest way to get inspired! Set time aside for a good read every night.
- Research your topic. Get to know more about the topics you’ll be writing about. You can chip away at this a little each day and amass quite a lot of knowledge over a year!
- Get regular. Resolve to write every day, even if it’s just a paragraph or two. Even a blurb each day can add up to a book by the end of the year.
- Learn to love rewrites. Make rewrites, edits and revisions just a normal part of your process as a writer. It helps to set down your work for a few weeks before tackling revisions. But trust us when we tell you it’s worth doing.
- Get tools. There are tons of apps that can help you make and keep your writing resolutions. We like WriteOMeter, which lets you set up world goals, timelines and writing prompts.
- Enjoy your craft. Sure, there will be times you don’t feel like writing, but what you write should still be something you’re passionate about. Resolve to appreciate what it is about writing what you write that excites you.
- Learn about self-publishing. Learn what you’re getting into. Odds are it’s not nearly as scary a process as you imagined it.
- Connect. Use social media to connect with other aspiring authors. They’ll often have valuable insight on how they kept their own writing and publishing resolutions.
- Make yourself accountable. Are you stuck? Or are you still in the planning stages? Let people know you plan to finish your book. They’ll help hold you accountable when your own motivation is flagging.
- Find self-love. Embrace your style as a writer! You may do things a little differently, but that’s what makes you so special – and it may be what sets you apart and helps you sell books later on. Find a way to play it up.
- Stretch. While you should embrace your true self as a writer, it’s always good to step outside of your comfort zone once in a while. Read and write in genres that are foreign to you – the results may surprise you.
- Mentor. Offer your wisdom to other aspiring writers. Each writer has his own way of doing things, and sometimes they share very helpful tricks. Share yours. It’ll feel good to pay it forward.
Still feel like there’s more to do? Stay tuned: We’ve got more ideas to help you set resolutions that will make you happier, more creative and more successful in 2015.
Get started today and get published!
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| AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT & SUCCESS STORY |
“Publishing with Outskirts Press has been an experience that far exceeded my expectations! From the beginning, the staff was highly knowledgeable, helpful and patient. My questions were addressed quickly and professionally. My author representative was a blessing, guiding me throughout the entire process. There is no doubt that Outskirts Press will be my choice for future publishing needs!”
Lucinda Waldron grew up in Central Florida’s Orange County, which was known as Mosquito County in the early 1800s. Her love for this tropical paradise, rich in history and year-round beauty, became her inspiration for Mosquito County. A retired school principal and college professor, Lucinda lives with her husband on their farm in North Florida.
Emma’s father hasn’t been the same since his wife’s death, but when he rouses Emma in the middle of the night, her bags already packed, she knows something is desperately wrong. Trying to protect her from an unknown evil, Richard Kingston hustles his eighteen-year-old daughter off to the backwoods wilderness of the Florida peninsula to live with her grandfather.
Mosquito County becomes the backdrop for Emma’s thirst for adventure as she explores its pristine wilderness, embraces its mythical intrigue, and becomes enthralled with her grandfather’s citrus and cattle empire. Amid the splendor of this turn-of-the-century tropical paradise, Emma encounters mystery surrounding Seminole Indian legends, danger from an unknown and evil source, and romance when she meets a young rancher who captures her heart. Kip Morgan is unlike any young man Emma encountered in her former Bostonian life, and she soon finds his alluring smile as intoxicating as the abundant tropical flowers of Mosquito County.
Set in the late 1800s, Mosquito County is a hauntingly beautiful debut novel, richly layered with family secrets, mystery, passion, and revenge.
– Lucinda Waldron, author of Mosquito County
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