Hello Newbies,

Welcome to a almost new year on Writing.com! I hope you all enjoyed your Holidays. And now we can look forward to a new year to come.....a fresh start to make resolution(s) or achieve some goals. Sometimes starting small, little steps, to achieve what you want will evolve to bigger things. I know for me, if I think too big at first, sometimes I never get started. So, with that being said, I have an idea that works for me and may help you too, an important habit for a writer to practice is to keep a "Writer's Notebook". It can be something simple like a basic white lined notebook or a nice journal. The following are a few things to keep organized in your notebook:

  Writing your passions
  Free-writing your thoughts and observations, feelings, and reflections on your
     experiences
  Make a list of story ideas
  Write down parts of stories
  Research
  Commentaries for stories
  Develop an idea from reading something and write it down
  Write down publishers or agents
  Keep track of contests
  List magazines that you would like to submit a story to
  Books you want to read
  Websites you like
  Information from writer's groups
  Ideas you scribbled in the car or eating at a restaurants, and transfer
     your ideas to the notebook.

I feel is it important to have a hard-copy of all your writing information. And if you want, transfer some or all of the information to the computer, but still have your notebook.

I actually think better when I write my first draft of a story or poem on paper, and I transfer to the computer to edit. We all have different habits that work for each of us....the point is to discover what habit works for you and stick to it.

The number one goal for writers to work on this year is to get organized and figure out what works for you! The results will make you happy and a more productive writer.

Until next time...
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