Monday, January 1, 2024

Writers Begin Anew in January


The old year drifted away at midnight last night, and 2024 slipped right in. Think of it as a book with 366 (Leap Year!)  blank pages. You can fill each page in any way that pleases you. As writers, we can fill each page with some new piece of writing. 

Oh sure, you're thinking, I can't write a whole new story, essay, article, or poem each and every day. You're right. That might be reaching a little too high. But, you can write something every day. Look at the many kinds of writing you might select.

A.  A writing exercise--free-write using a word or phrase, a photo prompt exercise, descriptive paragraphs and more.

B.  A short poem--perhaps a haiku, or a child's verse, or describing something you saw that touched you

C.  The opening paragraphs of a new story, article, or essay

D.  A list of story ideas

E.  A letter to yourself reminding you of goals set for this year

F.  A paragraph or two showing sensory detail

G.  A few descriptive paragraphs

H.  A memory that could turn into a full story later

So, you see that it is possible to write something every day. Create a habit by doing this exercise every day at around the same time. Possibly in the early morning with that first cup of coffee, or just before you settle in bed for the night, or while eating your lunch. 

Most writers have heard of Morning Pages, the term coined by author, Julia Cameron. She suggests you spend a short time each morning writing in a notebook by hand about anything that comes to mind. Let your thoughts flow, no matter how foolish they might seem, how dark, or how silly. It gets the writing juices flowing for more writing later in the day.  

Writers need to create good writing habits if they want to be productive and achieve publication, whether it be in short pieces, poetry, or a full-length book. Lat year is so 'last year' at this point. What better time to begin a new regime than on January 1st, 2024! 

 

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