It’s a new year and a new decade, which means it’s the perfect time to recommit to your writing practice! Even if you’re not the resolutions type, we hope you’ll take a few moments to pull together some writing goals for 2020. In addition to specific, measurable goals that focus on your writing craft—for instance, “I will write 3 peer reviews a week in February” or “I will respond to one weekly prompt for eight weeks”—why not also make a few goals that support your life as a writer, whether it be taking time to observe the world around you, submitting your writing to competitions, or creating a writing-friendly environment?
With that in mind, we’ve pulled together six writing life resolutions you can make in 2020.
I will enter ____ writing competitions in 2020.
Submitting work, whether to publications, competitions, or agents, is a huge part of the writing life. And no matter how talented, most writers hear “no” more than they hear “yes.” The key is to just keep putting work out there until that “yes” arrives. So why not get in the habit now by consistently entering our competitions? A great way to do this is by playing competition bingo—simply download a card, pick a row or column, and enter those competitions! Then send us your card with BINGO and we’ll feature you on the site and our Instagram.
I will check in with Write the World writers ____ times a week.
YA author and Fantasy Writing guest judge Alexandra Sheppard says, “My writing group was instrumental in my success as a writer. Meeting up with a supportive group of writers every month kept me accountable and made sure I actually sat down to write.” Of course, you already belong to the supportive writing community at Write the World, so why not create your own accountability group by connecting with a few of your fellow Write the World writers a few times each week? Having peers with whom you can exchange reviews, comments, ideas, and support will make your motivation and word count skyrocket.
I will make time to observe the world around me each day.
Write the World blogger and Rolling Stone co-founding editor Michael Lydon notes that to make your writing richer, you “must go for long walks or sit quietly at any hour of the day or night, must study and sketch and listen to the people and streets and houses and trees.” Whether you sit in a coffee shop for a few hours on the weekend or take note of the natural world on the way to school, make observation a part of your day. Notice what’s around you and weave your reflections into your writing.
I will give ____ readings in 2020.
It’s inevitable as a writer that one day you’ll give a reading of your work. No matter if you love or hate this idea, or fall somewhere in between, it never hurts to get some practice reading your work aloud. So this year, resolve to give a few readings, whether it’s at a family gathering, a school event, or just to your pet hamster (we all have to start somewhere!). And when you do, keep in mind these words of wisdom from Norah Rami, winner of our 2019 Spoken Word Competition: “Own what you have to say! The world needs to hear it. It’s not about the audience, it’s about you and your words.”
I will read ____ books a month.
There’s no way around it—to be a good writer, you must read, read, read. In 2020, resolve to read at least one more book than you did last year. A simple way to do this is to spend less time on social media and more time reading! Our blogger Lisa Hiton outlines a plan for a year of reading here.
I will create a writing space by [date].
Set a time and date to create a space dedicated to your writing, whether it’s a desk, a table, or even a lap desk. Lisa Hiton has great tips on both tidying your desk and the essentials to keep on it. And make sure to give it a clean once a month or so, just to make sure nothing distracts you from your writing flow!
These are just a few ideas to get you started—you no doubt can come up with lots more. As long as it ultimately supports your work on the page, it’s a good resolution in our book!
