To celebrate the new year, I’ve created what I believe to be the 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Writers, artists and creative types. See what you think.
1) Create–practice your craft–every day.
2) Believe in yourself as a writer and an artist. If you’re not there yet, “fake it till you make it.”
3) Suspend judgment on whether or not you “should” be writing or allowing yourself to be otherwise creative. Avoid people who have the same judgment.
4) Cultivate resilience.
5) Give random acts of encouragement to other writers, artists, and other creative types.
6) Assume an attitude of gratitude for every minute you find to create.
7) Celebrate your courage and perseverance as you strive to get your work out into the world.
8) Support the arts locally and globally: buy books, attend concerts and plays, frequent galleries, buy original art, etc.
9) Experience beauty every day.
10) Send your inner critic on an extended holiday.
Can you think of other New Year’s resolutions for writers that you’d like to add? Which one of these resolutions are you willing to commit to for the coming year? I’d love to hear from you.
P.S. I’m an ex-shrink who writes award-winning novels. Check out my books here.
Those are pretty good. I’m not a #1 type of girl (i.e. write everyday) and I’m completely okay with that – I understand my process. But I’m on board with the rest (and I think #1 is definitely a good one for writers who thrive on that sort of thing).
I guess my general motto is “write for the writing.” Although I do have a manuscript out to a publisher right now, I don’t write with the idea of publication in mind. I write because I love writing, both the process and the result. I know writers who seem to be writing in order to get published. I don’t get that, and I think it messes with you on a lot of levels.
Have a great New Year’s!
I write for the writing, too, Sonja. My goal, since I write fiction, is to write a really good story. Period. I just strive to write the best story I can possibly write. Usually that’s not every day, either. But it’s often enough and it’s usually in concentrated periods, when I have the luxury of focusing on it.
Thanks for commenting. You always have such great things to say. 🙂
I’m afraid I can’t entirely agree with everything there. Sending your inner critic on a hike is a good idea for a while, and to an extent, but really, unpleasant as it is, we have to discipline ourselves to the critical goddess too. (Notice I made her a goddess. Being disciplined by a tall, stern woman has its benefits 🙂 ) Comes a time you have to assess yourself honestly, because if we don’t do it someone else will, and that’s even worse. Remember the Novel Writing Month thing? What’s the point of lots of “art” that sucks? We already have far too much. What we lack are discriminating audiences demanding good art. And the internet is not helping in this regard I’m afraid.
So I’d add be open in your first pass and ruthless in your second. Everything you do is *not* okay. You are not necessarily wonderful. Salieri wasn’t Mozart. The thing is, he knew it. Sadly, in his time, very few other people (Haydn and who else?) did.
John, I always appreciate what you bring to the table. May your tall, stern goddess be exactly what you need her to be!
People love to take themselves seriously. I love all your comments, which are good to remember. The one about the inner critic taking a hike is great. All to often that critic is looming over our shoulder dripping acid on our computer. The creative process is absolutely unrelated to the editing process and should not be intermixed. Editing should be done on the days of no dreams, of strong coffee, of background chatter (whether internal or external.) Also the part about extending yourself to all other artists and their creations is excellent. We don’t work in a vacuum. We are sparked by all forms of creativity and give to each other in unseen ways. I’m not sure how you turned up on my facebook, perhaps Hedgebrook? I’m the author of two novels, the old Firebrand and Odd Girls were my publishers. I’ll get my hands on your book. Franci
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Franci. I totally understand what you said about our inner critic “looming over our shoulder dripping acid on our computer.” What a great, and accurate, image!
I think I sent you a friend request because facebook recommended you and it seemed we had similar interests. A pleasure to meet you! I hope you visit the blog again soon!