I’m posting a checklist for the new year. We all know we never get right back on the writing horse on January 2^nd. It takes a bit of recovery time before we are ready to saddle up again.  I have ten points to consider. Things I may or may not get done but claim as my ideal goals for getting ready to write in 2017.  They are in no particular order so arrange them how you like.

Prepare to climb back in the writing saddle.   photo from morguefile.com

1) Clean out old files and emails. I shared about email in a previous post. So, I’ll say no more. But we all have several copies of WIP at various stages. Delete all the old ones so all that remains is your present Work in Progress. If you must, create a new file for all those scenes you must delete but can’t bear to part with and trash the rest. (Side note: Rename your most current manuscript. Add Vol 4 or whatever so you don’t accidently delete the wrong one or for that matter email the wrong manuscript to a publisher.) If you still can’t bring yourself to delete old versions store them on a hard drive or stick and delete from your PC. After a while, you won’t miss them.  Now you can find your most current project in moments. (Be sure to back up often on an external drive or stick in case your computer crashes in 2017.)

2) Clean out all paper files in your office. Throw away any saved papers you know you will never use. If you haven’t read them this year you probably won’t. Reorganize books. Give away those you’ve read to others to enjoy. Share craft books with newbies and donate some to the library. Any magazines you received for query research purposes and never queried get rid of. Request a more recent copy if you still intend to query so you have the latest trending articles. Once you get started you will probably discover stuff you didn’t know you saved. Clean to your comfort level so your desk is cleared.

Declutter

3) This is the time to create spreadsheets, databases or notebooks to record the sales, queries, proposals, submissions and upcoming blog post activities. Record keeping can be a bane or a blessing to a writer’s existence depending on how good we are at maintaining it.

4) Purchase or create calendars for daily, weekly and monthly goals. I once used a calendar that recorded hourly activity when I had a home business. For some writers, committing themselves to accomplishing a certain task in a specific time frame helps keep them on track. For me, I need a list and some monthly and weekly direction. I found a 5X7 planner that will work well for me.

Buy a calendar that works for you.

5) Post inspiration around your workspace. Whether that’s sticky notes or posters. Words and pictures that remind us we can do this writing gig help so much. Upbeat music can help with focus as well.

6) List realistic daily goals. I tend to write long lists that I will never finish in a day. I write down a marketing goal, an editing goal, a reading goal, and a writing goal that’s manageable. If I happen to get more done, that’s awesome. If I get less done, there are fewer items to add to the next day’s list.

7) Seek inspiration every day. Time in The Word and prayer. Moments to sit in silence and listen.

8) Pencil in Me time. Time to do anything but write. Be sure to take care of your health. Keep doctor appointments. Go out to lunch with friends. Binge watch your favorite shows. Give your mind some downtown so when you return to your words, the creative juices are flowing.

Take time for yourself.

9) Evaluate subscriptions. Which craft magazines and blogs do you read consistently and gain value from. Unsubscribe and don’t renew those not meeting that criterion. You won’t miss them.

10) Work smart with social media. Find ways to do more in less time to promote and interact with your readers. There are apps like Hootsuite that post in all your social media simultaneously. I want to learn more about using twitter and Pinterest this year.

Make a difference in 2017

These are my top objectives to restart my writing career in the new year. I hope these actions will make me more motivated and organized. The cleaning ones are always the hardest for me. Accomplishing even half of these goals will make a difference in how well I start off 2017.

What do you need to do before you climb back into the writing saddle? I love to ehar from  my readers.

Please click the button in the right-hand column to receive this blog in your email.