New Year’s Resolutions For Authors

Full disclosure: I suck at New Year’s resolutions.  

I don’t think I’ve ever succeeded in keeping one for a full year.  (Who am I kidding?  Most of them don’t make it through January.) 

• I haven’t lost the 50 pounds I said I would last January.  

• I still throw trash on the floor of my car, despite having purchased a cute little car trash can.

• And one year I made a resolution to stop drinking iced coffee…

HA!  

But, maybe I haven’t really failed.  

Instead, maybe, like Thomas Edison,  “I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

So, as a verified expert in how NOT to make a New Year's resolution, I’m here to share my expertise and help you make a writing resolution for 2025 that you might actually keep!

Here are three things that I know don’t work when it comes to making New Year’s resolutions. 

1. It doesn’t work to make a resolution aimed at perfection.

Setting your goal unreasonably high is just setting yourself up for failure.  (How do I know?  See New Year’s Resolution 2018: “I’m going to work out EVERY DAY at the buttcrack of dawn.”)

When you make a New Year’s resolution like the one above, you’re sure to disappoint yourself in the very first week.  Then the guilt creeps in, and you start wondering “Why even try?”  

Instead, make a resolution that is hard NOT to keep…and set yourself up for success.  

“I’m going to try to sit down and write at least twice a week,” is a much more achievable, New Year's resolution for an author than "I'm going to write EVERY DAY," and the more successful you feel, the more motivated you’ll be.

Now, if you’re thinking, “Well, that’s too easy! Just writing two times a week isn’t enough!” You might be right!  But, I would argue that a resolution you keep is better than the one you give up on by the end of January. 

Progress is better than perfection. 

2.  It doesn’t work to make a resolution about end results.

Instead, make your resolution based on specific actions you can take to move yourself towards that end result. 

For example, if your New Year’s resolution is to get a literary agent…Well, unfortunately, you could do everything right and still not achieve that goal.  (Just ask any author in the querying trenches!)

That end result is - sadly - out of your control. 

A better resolution would be to attend more networking events, or write a certain number of new manuscripts, or enroll in At Home Author’s Profitable Picture Books program!  

Make sure your resolution is focused on small, specific steps you can take to move yourself towards your goals - not on the goal itself. 

3.  It doesn’t work to make resolutions that are too specific…or too vague.

This one definitely varies by personality, but for me, it’s important to make sure my resolution hits that sweet spot between vague and specific.  

For example, a resolution like this:

“I will try to write more”…might not put enough pressure on me to actually make time to write.  I mean… “try” and “more” are pretty vague.  There’s no sense of accountability or urgency there. 

But a resolution like this: 

“I will go to my office everyday at 7 AM and write 500 fully edited words before breakfast”… sets me up for failure.  What if I’m really busy and miss ONE day?  Does that mean I’ve failed?  What if I get writer’s block and can only squeeze out 499 words?  Might as well not write at all!  

So, coming up with a resolution that holds you accountable, but also sets you up for success is critical.  And only you can really know where that sweet spot is.

New Year's Resolutions For Authors

If you’re looking for a writing-related resolution for 2025, here are some ideas that might work for you.  Feel free to steal them and make them your own! 

And wish me luck!  Maybe this is my year to succeed! 

New Year’s Resolutions To Improve Your Writing Craft

• I will read 5 picture books each week. 

• I will subscribe to KidLit411’s weekly newsletter.

• I will join (or start) a critique group.

• I will dedicate [insert a specific recurring day/time here] to writing. (Put it on your digital calendar as a repeating event!)

• I will subscribe to At Home Author’s YouTube channel and watch new videos when they post them. 

New Year’s Resolutions To Up Your Marketing Game

• I will post on social media once a week. 

• I will send out a monthly newsletter to my email subscribers.

• I will follow ____ new people on social media each week. 

• I will pass out a business card once a week. (Leaving them in a public place counts!)

• I will reach out to 1 influencer a month.

New Year’s Resolutions To Support Other Writers

• When I read a book I love, I will share it on social media and tag the author/illustrator.

• I will review 1 picture book each week on Amazon or Goodreads.

• I will attend local author events when I see them.

• I will volunteer to do critiques for fellow writers when they ask.

• I will give books as gifts when appropriate.

New Year’s  Resolutions For Querying Authors

• I will designate time each week for researching agents and editors. (Again, put it on your calendar!)

• I will follow 1 new agent or editor per week on social media.

• I will check MSWL once a week.

• I will join SCBWI and read Insight (their newsletter) each month.

• I will make sure I have a basic website! 

What's your advice for making New Year's resolutions that stick? Share your tips, or your own author resolution for 2025, in the comments!