Is this the year you'll get that book written?

It’s that time of year when we look back and think about what we have achieved during the last year and, inevitably, realise that there are one or two resolutions we haven't quite managed to keep - only three chapters of the novel completed across the last two years.  When we have finished reflecting it is time to write our resolutions for the coming year with one or two "rolled over" from the previous year(s).

This year why not set yourself up to succeed, write your resolutions as usual and then write out how you are going to achieve them. For instance if your resolution is to write a novel then work out what you need to do in order to achieve it. First be a little more precise – are you going to complete a first draft or is your novel going to be ready to publish? Write this down. Next decide on the word count, whilst this may change as you develop your novel a good starting point is 100,000 words. Finally work out how much you need to do each month/week/day in order to achieve your goal. For a novel ready to publish you might allow a month at the beginning to plan and three months at the end for second/third draft and editing/proofing. That gives you 8 months to write the first draft – 12,500 thousand words a month (does this sound doable, if not don’t panic) or around 3000 words a week (still too much), or 500 words a day. When you break your resolutions down into small chunks they suddenly become achievable, 500 words is only one page of writing. 

For a novel you will also need to breakdown the planning stage into small chunks – characters, plot, location and research (only do the minimum research at the planning stage). You might have 5 major characters and 10 minor characters – you could allocate a day to develop the characteristics and motivations for each major character and then write brief character outlines for the minor characters across two days. You will need to take the same approach to editing however you don't need to break this down into daily tasks until you have completed your first draft.

You don’t need to have the whole year broken down into daily tasks on day one. Start by having monthly targets for the year ahead, at the beginning of each month break down that month’s target into weekly targets and at the beginning of each week develop a daily plan of tasks for the week ahead.

Work on your tasks each and every day, if you don’t reach your daily target don’t worry – 200 words might not be 500 words however it is still 200 words closer to your dream. Don’t try and catch up if you miss a target, you will find that as you progress towards your goal you will naturally have days when you do more than you planned. If you don’t feel inspired to write – sit down and write anyway. On really bad days think of your goal – that published novel in your hands and on bookshelves – and then write your 500 words. Always have your end goal in mind however only work towards achieving the next small chunk.

If you find it motivates you keep a progress chart to record tasks completed and your word count. 

Get started today – write out your resolution, commit to it, plan the week ahead and get started. This time next year you will have that book in your hands.

Happy writing.