As a kid, I put my best writing skills to work this time of the year. No, I didn’t create the perfect Christmas card message — I perfected the ultimate Christmas List! As the holidays neared, I would craft the best descriptions of the toys that I wanted, cut out pictures and list the optimum places to find Jimmy’s Wish List entries.
Nowadays, I don’t create the master wish list anymore, but I still make lists. This time of the year is a great time to think about the future. Putting into words the things you want to improve on, change, or learn is a great step toward making them a reality.
Here are some great things to include in your wish list for the upcoming year. I’m sure many of you have some of these in place, but hopefully you’ll find a few nuggets that were lacking in the past year.
During my childhood, I would make it easy on my parents (and to make sure they got the right thing) by mapping out where each item could be purchased. With that in mind, I have done the same thing with this list.
I’ve linked each item in the list to resources on Indies Unlimited. From tutorials to experiences in the trenches, you can find the best information from the rock stars of the indie writing world.
- Get involved in a local Writers or Critique Group
- Start a Blog
- Attend a Writer’s Workshop
- Get involved with a local library
- Put on a Self-publishing Workshop
- Guest Post on a blog
- Start an email Newsletter
- Write a 1,000 words a day
- Develop a marketing plan for 2015
- Develop Goals for 2015
- Make a Book Trailer
- Develop a Book Sell Sheet
- Hire an Editor
- Write more and better reviews
- Add Press Releases to my marketing efforts
Now is the perfect time to set aside an hour or so to carve out your success for 2015. Don’t try to change everything. Pick two or three things from the list above to help you grow in the New Year.
Great list Jim – pointing to other good posts, too. One thing everyone should add to their list is: Be kind to myself.
So often a list gets a bad rap because we criticize ourselves when we don’t finish the list 😉 If we’ve done something today to move forward towards our goal – then it’s a win. Pat yourself on the back each day.
Great point Elisabeth,
That’s why you shouldn’t take on the entire list but pick just a couple of things to change. Also, I’m a big believer in rewarding yourself, ask anyone who hangs around me!
Wow, this is just like my list. Good luck in the new year to us all!
Good luck to you as well, Anne. Thanks for commenting.
Nicely done, Jim. Great list.
Thanks, Martin. It should be as no surprise that many of the links point back to your posts. Thanks for all your contributions and for helping fellow authors, me included.
Thanks, Jim.
🙂 Hope your holidays are great, Yvonne!
Definitely a good list.
Thanks, Sheryl! Good Luck with your personal list.
Thanks everyone. #1 on the list has put me where I am. Need to work more on #6 and haven’t quite managed the latter half of the list yet – but I will.
Thanks for sharing, Vicky. It’s great to hear how things have impacted your writing career. Good luck with adding a few nuggets this year.
Good list, Jim, thanks! Working on that 2015 plan now.
Laurie, you’re already in the top 3% if you’re working on your plan. Most people don’t take the time. I’m sure you’ll see even greater success going forward. Thanks for all that you do.