7 New Years Resolutions for Writers

1. Take a short walk every day, even if it's cold out, and even if
it's only for a few minutes. Walking is a great way to inspire ideas.
You never know what you might find. Walking is also relaxing and a
good way to collect your thoughts.

2. Talk to new people. Wherever you are, strike up some small talk.
Whether it's with the checkout clerk or the server at a restaurant,
talking to new people inspires ideas.

3. Talk to kids. Even if you don't have kids yourself, talking to a
neighbor's child, or even to kids you meet at the grocery store while
in the checkout line will inspire you. Kids have a fresh point of
view, and they can give you ideas you never would have thought of on
your own.

4. Watch tv. (Yes, I said it!) There are a lot of ideas that can
come from watching tv, whether it's a news story or a sitcom, or even
a commercial.

5. Read more. Reading inspires ideas. Even reading the back of
cereal boxes and billboard advertisements can give you a great idea
for your next article.

6. Find an extra half hour per day to write. Even if you're busy,
you can find the time, even if it's just ten minutes here and there.
An extra half hour per day adds up to quite a bit by the end of the
month and year.

7. Invest in a hand-held tape recorder and/or a small notebook to
carry with you wherever you go. You never know when ideas will come.
If you're ready to record them, wherever you are, you'll be able to
remember them.



Amy Derby is a freelance writer and self-publishing writer. She is the owner of write-from-home.com, a website for beginning freelance writers.