Your New Year's writing resolutions

Why wait until tomorrow - create your 2010 writing resolutions today.

Make SMART writing resolutions; Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely.

Specific

Not someday I'll write a book but - I'll write 2 chapters of my how to book on...(whatever is your topic).

Measureable

Not I'll write 2 chapters but - I'll write 2 chapters of 2,000 words each.

Achievable

Not I'll write 2,000 words by 2pm this afternoon but - I'll write 500 words each day for the next 8 days.

Realistic

Not I'll write a world beating novel but - I'll write 2 chapters about something I really understand and can pass on.

Timely

Not someday I'll write a book but - in 10 days I will write 2 chapters.

So instead of some unconsidered dream of writing a book someday you'll have

By the end of January 2010 I will have written 2 chapters of 2,000 words each on how to create a stuffed toy.

Or whatever is your skill or subject.

As has been said many times a goal is a dream with a time frame attached.

If you want to write then stop making excuses, not to me, not to your family or friends but to yourself. That's the only person you're cheating on.

Until you begin, you have no idea where your writing road will lead you. Take your first step now and you'll go into the New Year of 2010 already primed and in gear.

Good luck and may the writing angels be with you.

How to write - creating the environment

The aim is to enable you to write anywhere. The more focused you are on your writing, the less the surroundings should matter. Creating the mood in your mind is far more important than creating a perfect setting. That can be the thin end of the wedge to letting yourself off the hook.

If your words fizz inside your head, the back of an envelope is as effective a writing tablet as the most beautiful journal.

How to write

"Writing is like any other learned process. You need to develop and strengthen your writing muscles by writing every day." Eileen Parr

How to write exercise

Shaking up your writing

Too often we write the same thing because we write in the same way. If you write fiction then try writing something else like instructions. How would you tell someone to thread a needle if they have never seen a needle?

Generating ideas for your business book

Here's a quick way to generate ideas about how to write for your own business.

1. Look at your business books.
2. Choose 3 you have gained something from.
3. Write down why you bought them, borrowed them or stole them from friends.
4. Study them in more depth and jot down how you can use a similar method, way of writing or layout for your own topic.

This should get you started. It's always easier to say, that's interesting but I would do it a different way than have to start from scratch.

This is just one of 3 ways you'll find to generate ideas, in Writer's Little Book... with Big Ideas.

Boxing Day blues

If you're not still catching up with different parts of your family, then Boxing Day can seem a bit flat mentally.

Here are a couple of game sites I've used that might sharpen your wits after too much wine and pudding.

http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/chatnoir/chatnoir.swf

My fried sent me the black cat game and it can be quite addictive.

http://www.eastoftheweb.com

I've tried the Storyman game and the 8 letters game

Christmas greetings

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
It came without ribbons. It came without tags.
It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
Dr Seuss

Wishing you all good for this day whatever your circumstances, whatever your faith, whatever your hopes.