A Writer’s New Year’s Resolutions (Part One)

by Will Viharo

​It’s almost 2016. AKA “The Future.” And before you know it, it will be in the Past along with all the other years of your life.
 
As a writer, what do you have to show for them?
 
This one is just about to begin. This time next year, plan now to be very proud of  yourself…

​New Year’s Resolutions are often like promises made by politicians on the campaign trail. They sound good, but implementing them is often a different story.
 
You’re not running for office, though. You’re your own person, your own boss. You have no one to answer to but yourself.
 
So you have no reason to lie to yourself, nothing to gain with deliberate delusions. Look in the mirror, and ask yourself an honest question: Am I fulfilling my own destiny as a writer, or am I just dreaming about it?
 
And every day you ask your own face that question, it’s a day older. Time is running out, no matter how old you are.
 
So there’s no time to waste.

Here are five resolutions that any writer should be able to actually make and keep, if they’re dedicated enough to their craft. Five more to follow in my next column, one for every typing finger, counting your thumbs (I use ‘em, don’t you?)…

1. Sit down and write already.  That’s right. Talkers talk. Actors act. Singers sing. Painters paint. And “real” writers write. Anyone can talk about writing. In fact, anyone can publish a book these days, thanks to DIY publishing. But not everyone can write a book worth reading. That’s what distinguishes the professionals from the amateurs. And that’s all on you.
2. Finish that project in your drawer…even if it’s tucked away in the upper cupboard in the top left corner in a very dank, dark, dusty section of your creative brain. Clear those cobwebs from that promising project and put a final period on that sucker. Even if it sucks. That’s what “revision” is for. It’s often easier to rewrite than write, because at least you have something to worth with besides a blank page and a blinking cursor, daring you to start typing.
3. Research your publishing options. No excuse nowadays for anyone to complain no one wants to publish their work, because you can always self publish, and most readers won’t even care or notice, as long as you produce something professional, from cover to interior to design to content to promotions. Of course, many writers prefer the validation of having someone else publish their work, even if that means relinquishing creative control. So look up some small presses, many of which will work with authors and incorporate your suggestions in both the editing and design processes. Larger publishers pretty much deny authors that kind of authority, but the tradeoff is a bigger advance and increased exposure. In any case, you won’t know what’s right for you until you start looking.
4. Get an agent.  Again, easier said than done. But if you decide to take the traditional pathway to success, this is your best bet. You’ll be better off with a partner, since this road is paved with many more tears than the DIY route, and it's always comforting to have a shoulder to cry on, especially one that eventually shrugs you off and kicks your butt back into the game. The downside is you’re opening yourself up to rejection. The upside is if one accepts you as a client, most of the aforementioned dirty work will be done for you. Of course, they take a percentage, but if they get your book on the desk of a major publisher that likes your work, it’s worth it. You get what you pay for. As long as the agent appreciates your work, shares your vision and passion, and respects you both as an author and a person. Finding that ideal match will take some time and effort and involve a certain amount of frustration and heartache. Just like dating.
5. Take a class. In writing. In publicity. In anything that relates directly to your career choice. Even if you think you already know everything. And you don’t. Nobody does. Ever. And it’s not just about education. It’s about networking, which is just as crucial as the quality of your actual work when it comes to connecting with an audience. Get to know fellow authors, and you never know who they will introduce you to via their own professional socializing.

 
We’re all in this together. I’ll have five more resolutions for you on Thursday, New Year’s Eve.
 
Then it’s time to turn the page and start a fresh new chapter.
 
What are your New Year’s resolutions, writing-wise?
 
PHOTO: FAITH GOBLE