Writers Resolutions for 2010

Have you made a writing resolution for 2010?  Traditionally, the start of a new year provides a clean slate upon which to project all of your goals and dreams for the year to come.  Do you want to see your name in print more?  Are there new markets you want to reach?  Perhaps 2010 will be the year in which you publish your first book?  Or maybe your goals are centered more around finances, and you are determined to get higher paying clients and landjuicier assignments? 

Other resolutions often deal with the way in which we work.  For example, I am determined this year to be more efficient in my freelance adventures. As my workload has grown steadily throughout 2009 I have seen a need to treat this writing lark with a much more professional attitude and give my writing the time, attention and focus that it requires to make it a profitable career.

Here are some top writing resolutions for 2010:

Finish each project before starting a new one.  Or just finish a project!  How many half written, half researched, half baked writing projects do you have cluttering up your desk or hard drive?  If they have the potential to earn you money, pad your portfolio or just stretch your writing muscles then get cracking and complete them.  Not only will you have a sense of accomplishment but you will also have simplified your stack of ideas and have a better idea of how much work you have on your plate.

Learn a new skill to expand your money-making potential and your writing ability.  Whether it is learning about writing for SEO,  or writing technical manuals or perhaps studying a different form of poetry or prose, dedicate a few hours each week to growing yourskill set.

Freshen up your website to reflect your most up to date clips, portfolio and testimonials.  If you have a website that just sits there idly without so much as a glance from you then perhaps it's time to surf on over and see how it could be better serving you. 

Work less, earn more.  If increasing your earnings and decreasing your workload is high on your priorities this year, then look at ways to land more lucrative writing jobs.  Be ruthless and cut some of your less profitable assignments in order to free up time and energy for clients and publications that are more rewarding.

Be more organized.  Set goals! Keep track of your queries! Diary your deadlines! Do whatever it takes to streamline your work flow and stop wasting time rummaging for papers, rushing last minute submissions and forgetting to follow up on leads.

Be true to your inner writer by allowing yourself time to explore new ideas.  Set aside time to write purely for the love of writing, without the demands of deadlines, paychecks or editorial requirements.  I'll be writing more about this particular goal in the near future.

Whatever your chosen writing resolution, check back tomorrow for some tips on how to stick to it.  Leave a comment below to let us know what your writing resolution is.