Examples of great 2022 resolutions for writers

Everyone will tell you that goals are important, but not every goal is equally important. A New Year’s resolution isn’t like a regular goal (or at least it doesn’t have to be). My advice for this year is to make your writing resolutions the same as always — keep them realistic, achievable, and time-bound.

Often, it’s easier to set goals if we have some examples to look at. These are some New Year’s resolutions for writers that I’ve come up with. Feel free to copy them, or use them as inspiration for your own goals.

Examples of great goals for writers:

• Write a minimum of 3,000 words per day. This is a good number because it will allow you to complete the first draft for a novel in about 90 days or less — something that’s completely doable if you write every single day.
• Finish the current writing project. If you have an unfinished novel, it might be time to buckle down and finish it once and for all.
• Write a query letter or email to an agent. This is another common writing goal that’s always worth repeating. It’s never too early to be thinking about who might want your manuscript, or how you’re going to find the right person to submit it to.
• Find 5 new beta readers (or critique partners). These people will help you find the weak spots in your work, and get new eyes on your material.
• Join a writer’s group, online or off. If you’re working on a long manuscript or series of short stories, it can be helpful to have feedback from other writers who’ve been through the same process.
• Start a blog. This is a good way to get yourself writing on a regular basis, and it’s also an easy way to make new contacts in the industry.
• Read (or listen) to one self-help book per month. Books like The War of Art, Bird by Bird, and On Writing can all help you improve as a writer.
• Go to one writing conference per year. This is a great way to make new contacts, network with people in your genre, and (most importantly) develop relationships with other writers who can help you achieve your goals.
• Read at least one book per month outside of your genre or comfort zone. You don’t need to pick up a novel every single time you hit the bookstore (although that’s always recommended). Nonfiction works like How Doctors Think, Brain Rules, and Freakonomics can all help to broaden your perspective and make you a stronger, more well-rounded writer.
• Read at least one book per month about the publishing industry. This should be an easy goal to achieve, given that there are dozens of relevant titles published every year.
• Rewrite your current novel. Every writer — even experienced pros — finds something new when they go through their earlier work with fresh eyes.
• Take online courses in creative writing, self-publishing, marketing fiction, etc. Not all of these will be useful (in fact, you’ll find most aren’t) but it’s always good to mix things up and keep yourself motivated.
• Find 10 new, relevant Twitter followers every month. I’ve found that having an online network of writers is one of the best ways to improve my own work while also increasing my exposure.
• Write a new short story or essay every month. Again, the goal should be achievable if you have the motivation and don’t get distracted by other things along the way.
• Find 1 relevant blog to guest post on per quarter. Guest blogging is one of the best ways to gain exposure for your work, but it can take time before you’re ready to contribute. It’s worth the wait, though!
• Submit at least one short story to a paying market each month. As you get more serious about writing, it’s important to pay attention to where your work is being published.
• Look for at least one paid writing gig per quarter. You can do this by offering your services to someone you know, or by looking online. It’s always worth the time investment if it leads to a paying opportunity.

Got any other great goal examples to share? Reply and let us know. Happy new year!

Conclusion

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