www.KelliWilkins.com
Happy New Year!
It’s January and everyone
is talking about making changes and setting goals for themselves. And why not? We have brand-new calendars
hanging on our walls that are filled with unexplored days yet to come.
But do you find yourself gazing at your new calendar and
wondering, “How is it 2020? Where did last year - or decade - go? I had all
those plans…”
If so, don’t stress out. Not everyone accomplishes every
goal they set for themselves. Take some time to look back at what you achieved
last year and start thinking about this year.
Evaluating your writing goals and setting reasonable action steps now will help
you get on target for 2020.
- Keep in mind that everyone’s writing career and writing goals
are different. Think about what you want
for you. Do you want to finish the novel you started last year (or haven’t started
yet)? Send out a dozen short stories? Enter a contest?
- If you write magazine articles, are there any major publications you’re targeting? Start brainstorming ideas now, make a list of places to send queries, and check out potential markets for their latest submission guidelines. (It’s also time to be thinking 3 to 6 months ahead and plan those spring and summer articles.)
- Is the writing part going fine, but you need to develop (or enhance) your online profile and/or marketing? Are your blog, website, and author page(s) up-to-date? Should they get a refresh (or a major overhaul) for the new year?
- Make a list of all you want to accomplish in the next few weeks and months. Having a list of projects and priorities will help keep your writing objectives on track.
- If you’re determined to write a new book, make a timeline for research, character development, plotting, etc. Give yourself a deadline for when you want to start writing and stick to it. Decide how many pages or chapters you want to finish each day/week/month. Little by little, your book will take shape, and you’ll be amazed at your progress.
No matter what your
writing goals are, a little pre-planning will help you focus and allow you to
flow from one writing project to another. Preparation also keeps you motivated
and fends off writer’s block, because you always have “the next thing” to work
on.
If you want to learn more about
the writing process, why not check out my online writing class? Fiction Writing for Beginners is
designed for anyone who is interested in writing and needs practical advice on
how to get started, PLUS motivation and encouragement to keep
writing.
Thirteen
easy-to-follow classes cover the writing process from start to finish. You’ll
learn where writers get ideas, how to create characters, get expert tips on
writing your story, and find out how to submit it for publication. Everything
you need to know to start writing is wrapped up in this comprehensive and fun
course.
If
you’ve always wanted to write, Fiction Writing for Beginners gives
you all the tools you need. Visit the course page and enroll here:kelliwilkins.teachable.com
Not interested in an online course? On a budget? How about
an ebook? Check out my non-fiction writing guide, You Can Write—Really! A
Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction. It’s only $2.99.
The book is designed
for writers who need a boost of motivation and simple instructions on how to
get started. Each chapter targets a specific aspect of writing and
includes tips and fun exercises.
If you’re ready to write, order your copy here:
Enjoy the New Year!
Kelli A. Wilkins
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins is an
award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19 romance
novels, 6 non-fiction books, and 2 online writing courses. Her romances span
many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers with her
horror stories.
In November 2019, she released Romance Every Weekend: 104 Fun
Ways to Express Your Love, a non-fiction guide to romance. The book
features 104 fun and easy ways you can express your love to that special
someone in your life. Perfect for men or women, it focuses on tender,
everyday gestures that let your partner know how much you love him or her.
Kelli
published Extraterrestrial Encounters, a collection of
18 sci-fi stories, in August 2019. If you like horror fiction, don’t
miss her disturbing novella, Nightmare in the North.
Her historical romance, The Viking’s Witch, was
released in June 2019. This full-length novel takes place in Celtic Scotland
and blends a sensual romance with paranormal elements.
In March 2019, Kelli published Dangerous
Indenture, a historical mystery romance set in Colonial Pennsylvania.
She released the second half of her flash fiction series, Cupid’s Schemes, in early
2019. These two volumes of lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a
quick lunchtime escape or an after-work indulgence.
Kelli released a Teachable
mini-course, Fiction Basics: Finding Ideas in February 2019. She also authored
Fiction Writing for Beginners through
Teachable. These courses are perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to
write.
Thanks for the tips, Kelli! My goal is to finish the 1st of my 4th book. It's taking me years. Probably because I've been more focused on online marketing, work projects, and reviewing books for many authors. I want to at least make a dent in the draft this year.
ReplyDeleteShe has great tips
DeleteThanks!!
DeleteHi, Glad you liked the tips. One of the best tips I ever got was: Just keep going! Even writing a little bit every day helps - because all those words add up over time! Set your priorities and goals and go for it!
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