Early New Years Writing Resolutions

[HappyWithLife]

Yes, yes, I know it's not even Christmas yet, but I've been thinking a lot about what direction I want my writing aspirations to take in 2011.
So...what are your plans going to be as far as writing is concerned? Mine are to enter lots of competitions and to plan ahead so that I have the short stories/poems written and polished in plenty of time. To carry a notebook everywhere with me, and write down all my thoughts/observations/feelings as I go along. To schedule in writing time every day, and not deviate from it. And to try and join a writing group so I can meet up with other creative people rather than the philistines I seem to be surrounded by.
Anyone else?

Hello Happy - great idea! I made some resolutions last year and have done okay. Mine were:

To write five pieces - I wrote two short stories, one radio play and a shit first draft of my novel (thanks to you starting the nano thread, Happy ) so only four but I was pleased with my play and very pleased to finally make progress with my novel idea.

To have something published in something - yes! I had a monologue published in an anthology. It will probably only be read by 25 people but I got to order it off Amazon which was exciting!

Next year...Hmmm...I think it would have to be turning my crap first draft novel into at least a reasonable second draft.

And I have another idea for a radio play so it would be nice to turn that into something solid on the page.

Mine will be to finish my first crap draft of my first novel. Actually I hope to do that by the end of this year so perhaps it should be to do something with the novel. Like seeing whether there is any chance of ever getting it published.

Perhaps showing it to someone would be a start.

Aw...arti, you've mad me feel all glowing inside .
But nano has been a wake up call for me, although I didn't get very far as life got in the way it did spark something in me and now I am determined.
Writing a play...wow, I don't think I could manage that, although I've never tried I just don't think I'd be able so well done.

(Hello again Stranded)

Happy - there are lots of other Nano-type initiatives, if that sort of pressure helps to get the words out. Check out the lists at the bottom of this page:

Here

I had never written a play before - it was a steep learning curve! I sent it to the BBC Writers Room and am now waiting for them to send it back to me with 'crap' stamped across it get back to me.

Hi artifarti. Good for you on sending in your screenplay - let us know what happens!

Thanks for the link. The website looks really interesting. My problem is I am about to move back to the UK (have been in St Lucia for 16 months) and will have to get used to having a small child to look after most of the day again. Here, dd2 has been going to preschool every day 8-3; back home we will be returning to normality and I will be lucky to have her in playgroup two mornings a week. So much, much less time for writing - which is frustrating. But that's the reality.

If I could get the first draft finished I would at least have something to play with....

Oooh, St Lucia! I found out I was pregnant with DS there. Beautiful place, happy memories. I've always had an idea for a slightly macabre short story set there...another one to get round to!

Does your DD2 still nap? I work three days a week and get most of my writing done on my days off when DS is napping. However he is 2.3 now and I am terrified he is going to drop the nap!

Really? How funny! I found out I was pregnant with dd1 in Thailand! It is a beautiful place but living her is VERY different from being on holiday...

Unfortunately no, she doesn't nap. She will be 3 next week and very lively! However I am sure there will be days when I can put on the tv for an hour or two after lunch and keep her quiet while I try and do a bit of writing. I have just been very spoilt with 7 free hours a day, plus a cleaner!

Looking into say hello, as I've only just discovered that MN has a Creative Writing section.

Am hoping that 2011 will be the year I get more disciplined about writing i.e. actually write rather than just think about it. We'll see!

In terms of resolutions, I've got two short story ideas so I want to write them up.
I also want to enter some competitions, if I can come up with anything suitable.

And maybe, maybe, get some of this novel out of my head and down on paper.

Gosh, I'm going to be busy . Good luck everyone!

Competitions can be a great incentive...it's a difficult enough career to follow..you have to make your own way.

Try Prizemagic (eccentric but useful) and the best one which is Sally Quilford's Writing Calendar.

I have been a little lost with writing and on Christmas Day I had an email from a writing friend - a friend who has found considerable success and will be published by Bloomsbury in 2011 - offering me free mentoring for three months. Sometimes direction (and a kick!) can really be such a help.

Good luck with all your writing.

(Check out the Brit Writing Awards and sometimes, it is even worth entering the really big comps...like the Sunday Times one...why not? Prizes are huge and the experience is valuable....)

Thanks Punkatheart, will have a look at those sites. Great news about the mentoring, hope you find it useful.

I've entered an online competition a few times and have found it's good for giving me a kick-start if I haven't written for a while. And you only have half an hour to write the story which means I can't faff about like I usually do! Here is the link in case anyone fancies giving it a try:

www.write-invite.com/write-on-site.php

I plan to write every tue after noon this year on my novel and enter some compatitions!
though i normaly wirte poetry going to stear in the area of short storys this year see where i end up with that!