Writing Resolutions
Updated: Jun 16, 2022
It’s 2022, and my head is buzzing with so many possibilities. What writing opportunities will this year bring?
The previous year seemed stagnant–somewhat like the year before, right when the pandemic hit. As far as my career was concerned, I could find work, but nothing felt right. I didn’t want to turn into someone chained to a desk who hated their job, and who didn’t believe in the purpose of their company.
I became a teacher in the later part of 2021. I’m not sure if it was the interaction with students and the lesson planning, or the general review of grammar and linguistics that made me fall in love with writing (and reading) all over again.
But that’s what brings me to my 2022 resolutions.
Reading Accountability
I think any author would agree that what makes a good writer is a lot of reading. This year, my first resolution is to hold myself accountable for reading more.
Reading for pleasure should seem simple, but it hasn’t always been that way. A lot of my previous jobs have involved very dense reading (and writing), covering things like doorknobs or the engineering behind how a refrigerator is powered. (I just made those up, but you get the idea.)
While I did learn something, and I’m grateful for those experiences, I wasn’t genuinely interested in the subject matter. In addition, I was so exhausted from grasping the material that I often skipped reading for fun. Not to mention, I was tired of looking at text on a computer or paper.
My work material now is interesting to me. And when I teach in my classroom, I’m surrounded by pictures of poets: not printouts on how to sell something.
So, I’ll be posting what I’m reading on Goodreads to help hold myself accountable. (I’ll be reading a book a month, and I'll review it when I’m finished.)
Writing Routine
If you read my previous blog post on balancing your creativity and productivity, you know that I talk about how Stephen King writes about 2,000 words a day. I think that’s a bit too ambitious of a goal for me. However, I do think it’s important to pick up a better writing routine for 2022.
Part of my problem is that I just let my creativity guide me. However, I think being a good writer is not just about creativity; it’s about consistency (as I previously mentioned). And that can probably be said for just about anything.
There are a lot of things I gave up on early in life because I wasn’t ready to be consistent. I wasn’t mature enough. I regret that now. Success–whether that’s defining your style as a writer, getting published, growing your audience, etc.--doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time.
I’ll have an entirely separate blog post just on my writing routine as I develop that in the new year. Again, I still haven’t determined what my goal will be, (and whether I’ll set a daily or weekly goal.) All I know is that it is a priority, despite what my creative feelings may be that day. So stay-tuned.
Networking
There are so many wonderful ways to network, even if they’re just online. Fortunately, there seem to be more in-person opportunities these days. As Covid cases fluctuate, it’s hard to say whether or not this will last, but take advantage of them while they’re around.
In the St. Louis, Mo., area alone, here are a few noteworthy organizations.
Networking will always remain a vital part of learning new skills and growing your audience. I promise to be doing a lot of this in 2022, and I'm particularly excited about it.
Staying Healthy
Pursuing my passion covers my mental health; I get to do something I love and feel proud of it. However, it’s important to stay physically fit, too. Ultimately, the physical and mental tie together.
I’m not making any resolutions to lose an absurd amount of weight or look like a model. However, I am trying to hold myself accountable to at least 30 minutes of activity a day, eating healthy (besides the late night pizza or cookie, sometimes), and daily meditation.
That’s about it.
But what about you? What are your resolutions? Share in the comments with me.
I’m eager to know any writing tips you might have. (And as always, thanks for reading!)