A writer’s resolutions for 2015

Which way?OK I did this last year and it was only at the end of 2014 that I looked back at what I’d set myself.  So maybe one resolution should be to review my resolutions more often.

  1. Keep my workspace tidy

Last year I had ‘organise my work space’.  I did that.  I even treated myself to a new desk, which does make a difference i.e. I believe you are likely to work better in a pleasing environment.  What I need to do now is keep it tidy.  That’s not something that comes easy to me, but I know that clutter is counterproductive.  So much as it pains me this has to go on the list.

  1. Publish my short stories

A bit of a cheat perhaps because I am well on the way to doing this.  I’ve blogged a couple of times on why I think short stories (writing and reading) are so valuable to the writer and last year I decided I needed an outlet for a body of work that is growing (some appear on my web site).  I do enter some short story competitions, but that is not enough.  So I decided to publish my own.  The first selection is almost ready to go, so watch out in the next few weeks.  If these go well I will publish a second set later in the year.

  1. Plan a story from start to finish

I had this on my list last year and failed.  It is not the way I tend to work.  But, it is worth repeating because this year I have the perfect opportunity to do this.  I have finished a draft of the second volume to my first book ‘Ancestral Dreams’ and I am about to start the third and concluding book.  The problem I have is that, although I know where I want to end up I am not sure how I’m going to get there.

  1. Set-up an e-mail list

Again a slight cheat as I’ve already started.  I have a soon to be released give-away lined up that I hope anyone interested in science fiction, either writing or reading, or just anyone interested in the future will enjoy: ‘A Companion to the Future: Thoughts, ideas and inspiration for those who write and read science fiction.’  All I need now is to get my cover designer (my son) to do his bit and to set up Mailchimp, so watch this space.  If you do sign up I assure you I will not be bombarding you with mail you don’t want.  My plan is to issue a short monthly newsletter.

  1. Guest blogging

I tried this for the first time at the end of the year on ‘Writers helping writers’ .  This is a great blog and if it’s one you don’t know I recommend paying it a visit.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  It was rewarding in that more people visited my own blog, but also in reading and responding to the comments people left.  I have another guest spot on ‘C. S. Lakin, a novel life’, in January and I’m looking forward to that.  So I intend to look for more in 2015.   Again if anyone out there is looking for guest bloggers, or knows blogs that are, please let me know.

  1. Self-marketing

Yes it’s that old chestnut for any self-published author.  The short stories and of course the e-mail list are all part of that effort as are my intentions to do more guest blogging.  It’s all about building a ‘presence’ as a writer and to that end I will be exploring new ways to achieve that.  When I do I’ll blog my findings.  As always if anyone reading this has come a cross some good ideas / blogs on the subject please let me know.

cold meWell I think that’ll do.  Last year there were eight resolutions, but as I said at the beginning I failed with some, so maybe with six I stand a fighting chance.  If you’ve made any let me know what your favourites are.  Oh and if you’re wondering about the bottom photo – yes it was that cold!

Here’s to a successful 2015 everyone.

Ian Martyn

Author: Ian Martyn

Science Fiction Writer

6 thoughts on “A writer’s resolutions for 2015”

    1. Yup, I get that and having more of a plan is something else I need to do. Followed your link and I see it’s a new site. So best of luck. ‘Parents being their children’s first teachers is a bit outside my normal blog, but I’ll give it some thought – I’m also married to a headteacher.

  1. Great resolutions Ian! I think planning is essential, as someone who blogs regularly for different businesses I so regularly find myself hitting the proverbial brick wall and wondering whether what I’m going to write something that is A) going to make sense and B) going to be useful/interesting particularly after creating pieces for over a year. I’ve found a content calendar helps, knowing what I want to write about and when helps me to maintain focus!

    1. Maria, thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the blog. Sometimes I find a story has a natural direction and sort of takes it’s own course. But the one I’m working on now is bit of a struggle, so I need to plan!

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