With the coming change in the calendar year, it might be a good time to think about a few changes in your writing life. Making New Year's Resolutions appeals to some people, but it's a proven fact that fewer than ten percent of resolutions are fulfilled, and most people drop away from them before January has ended. Here are suggestions to start the New Year to set up a productive 2011. Ideas coming in the next two weeks: Freshen your Library, Clean up your Desktop, Plan Marketing, Internet Info, and Exercise Your Brain.
Let's start with Freshen Your Library
The new Writers Market directories have been out for a few months. If you don't have the one appropriate for your writing agenda, you should look into it. Novels and Short Stories, Children's Markets, Photographer's markets are all good additions to your library. Editors and publications needs have changed in the six to eight months it took to compile and publish these books. Always check the masthead of a current magazine to be certain you're addressing your queries and articles to the proper person. Many magazines have online sites that will list their current needs.
How old is your dictionary? If it's more than three years old, you might want to upgrade. The eleventh edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary was published in 2004, revised in 2006, and again in 2008 (it's available on CD, and is automatically on all Kindles) with hundreds of new words added. Websters is also in it's eleventh edition. Do you have Chicago Manual of Style, or Strunks The Elements of Style? Recommended for serious writers.
Remember, your library can be virtual—with the myriad ebooks and downloads for you computer, you can have volumes at your fingertips.
No comments:
Post a Comment