How I kept my writer’s resolutions for 2014

New Year’s is closing in. Time to take an honest look how wellI kept my 9 Writer’s Resolutions for 2014.

My writer’s resolutions boiled down to one thing: shut up and write.

This meant not waiting for the muse to show up or for my writing conditions to be just right. I’m not Goldilocks. My one directive was to attach my butt to my chair, close my mouth and pony up some words. Anything I learned along the way that helped me do that needed to become a habit.

2014 has been a big year for me.

I married the most wonderful man I’ll ever know. We went on a dream honeymoon to Disney World. We adopted one of the most adorable and obnoxious cats we’ll ever know. Without getting too personal, my family dynamics have changed beyond how I knew they would and in many respects, it’s been more painful than joyful. I’ve also developed some close friendships, and my working environment has had its changes, challenges and fortune.

You know—life happens while you’re busy planning ahead.

Still, looking back at my writer’s resolutions, I’m impressed with one thing — through all of the tumult, I kept writing.

When I was happy, I wrote.

When I was sad, I wrote.

When I was tired or sick, I took care of myself and wrote.

I spent more than my allotted 30 minutes on chores an other distractions, but I still wrote.

And when I wrote, I kept my 500 word minimum. Two weeks ago, I spent a morning adding 1,000 words to my primary work in progress. I’ll be doing the same this coming weekend, only my goal is 1,500.

Shutting up has proven harder to do, but I’m writing and that’s the whole point.

As a result, I’ve written my way into having a habit of writing on a regular basis. Whereas before, I would prep and hem and haw and take what seemed like forever to start writing, now I just write.

I have three works in progress, and I’m still making progress on them. I’ve reduced my typo count. I’ve learned to edit faster and organize my content faster. I’ve learned to sweat less of the small writerly stuff.

I think faster, write faster, organize faster, edit faster.

This time last year, I took four days to write and revise a blog post. Today, I can write and ship a new blog post in a matter of hours, not days.

My writing in general has gotten tighter and meatier. True, my blog post count for Rubber Ducky Copywriter has declined (especially around my wedding), but now I’m picking it back up with higher quality posts.

• 4 anti-blog plot bunny strategies
• 5 ways to keep your creative well topped off
• 4 ways to write your way out of writer’s block, fast
• Why not guarantee the results of your copywriting?

How did I do it?

I didn’t seek support from fellow writers.

I reduced the number of writing blogs I follow.

I increased the number of non-writing blogs I follow.

I set limits on how much time I spend reading them.

I sat my butt in my chair and wrote.

I’ve done well this year. No fluff, no excuses, no exaggeration. Just some personal pride and a whole lot of progress.

Next, it’s time to make my writer’s resolutions for 2015. My challenge will be improving what worked for 2014.

What about you? Did you make writer’s resolutions for 2014? If so, what are your biggest successes? Share in the comments.