Writers' resolutions? Er, no...

No, I’m not making resolutions for 2015; they are easily made and easily broken. It’s a bit like dieting – it never works.

So what’s a writer to do? I have a few recommendations…

Have your vision and write your story – tap, tap, tap.
Make a beautiful world or an ugly one – it doesn’t matter as long as you know that world in your head and make it plausible and consistent.
Make heroic characters or complete slimeballs and every type in between – don’t be afraid to create the characters you want to and as complex as you want them. Not all police are alcoholic depressives, not all decent ordinary people are upright citizens and not all heroes/heroines are ‘on duty’ 24/7.
And have confidence in creating this new world – who says you can’t have a certain world? But remember to be logical and to do your research.
And love it when it’s a success – don’t do the over-modest reserved thing. A mumbled ‘thank you’ or ‘it was nothing’ is not gracious. Your friends, colleagues and even your relations want to celebrate with you.

Writers together

But let’s remember a few things…

It’s a privilege to be able to present the inside of your head to other people.
Be nice to other writers and exchange ideas freely with them, support them with promotion and cheer them up when they need it.
Be polite to others in the writing and publishing field. Nobody is right or wrong – there are always options and the power to choose.
Appreciate your readers, librarians, booksellers, bloggers and reviewers.
And use your experience to help newcomers. Remember how others helped you?

Now, sit down and write the next damned book!

Alison Morton is the author of Roma Nova thrillers, INCEPTIO, and PERFIDITAS. Third in series, SUCCESSIO, is now out.

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Denise Barnes

31 December 2014 at 13:12

As usual, your blogpost is full of advice and inspiration. This is all I’m going to say as have to get on now with my writing 😉

Alison

31 December 2014 at 16:22

Thank you, Denise. Yep, get back to the writing!

Glynis Smy

31 December 2014 at 18:20

A Happy New Year to you, Alison! Love the pic of us in London. Have a fab 2015 x

Alison

31 December 2014 at 21:49

Thanks, Glynis – so thrilled to have met you in the flesh as well as Jessica Bell and Jane Davies. It was a great way to start the London Book Fair!

Anita Chapman (@neetswriter)

31 December 2014 at 18:49

A Happy New Year to you Alison. Your words at your launch inspired me at a time when I felt slightly disillusioned with my writing, so thank you! You are an inspiration, congrats on all your success in 2014. Fabulous pic.x

Alison

31 December 2014 at 21:50

Thank you, Anita. And I’m so glad if I helped. 🙂
So when’s the next book out?
- Anita Chapman (@neetswriter)
  
  1 January 2015 at 01:43
  
  Well, it’s not quite ready yet ;-), but have written at least 50K since your launch. One of these days…
  - Alison
    
    1 January 2015 at 09:59
    
    50K – well done! Keep at it. I look forward to reading it.
    HNY.

Rebecca Lang

1 January 2015 at 06:45

Happy New Year Alison, great advice. 🙂

Alison

1 January 2015 at 10:00

Thanks, Rebecca. ‘Being nice’ is a vastly underestimated life strategy.
HNY.
- Rebecca Lang
  
  1 January 2015 at 22:48
  
  I so agree! x

Debbie Young

1 January 2015 at 23:17

Don’t you just love it when the year looks so neat in Roman numerals? I do! Happy MMXV to you, Alison – I’m sure it’s going to be another exciting writing year for us all!

Alison

2 January 2015 at 09:24

Thank you, Debbie. If MMXV is anything like MMXIV, it’ll be exhilarating, hard work and going boldly…