by Alycia W. Morales     @AlyciaMorales

As 2017 approaches, everyone is thinking about what the achieved in the past year and what they can improve on in the year to come. As writers, there’s always room for improvement, learning new things, and letting go when things don’t go as planned.

1. Read More: If you look at the left column of your home page on GoodReads, you will see the 2016 reading challenge box (watch for one in 2017), where you can set a reading goal for yourself based on how many books you’d like to read in the new year. This is a great way to track your reading and remember to leave reviews when you finish.
2. Improve Your Grammar: There are plenty of online grammar quizzes one can take. EnglishGrammar.org is a great site because you can not only take quizzes, you can review grammar rules as well. {Click Here for a Link to the Quizzes}
3. Promote a Friend: Every writer needs word-of-mouth advertising. It’s the best type of advertising around, and it’s so incredibly easy for fans to do. For example, this year I found out my children’s pediatrician and one of her friends at the office love DiAnn Mills’ novels. I happened to have an extra copy of her recent release. I also knew if they loved her novels, they’d enjoy Lynette Eason’s too. So, the next time I took a child to the doctor, I took along a few novels to bless the pediatricians. My child’s doctor informed me this week that they were enjoying reading the books. My friends have new fans. It takes but a minute to retweet or share a post about an author’s recent release. Bless your author friends.
4. Start a Blog: Or at least get back to blogging on the one you already have. WordPress and Blogger both offer free blogging platforms, so blogging doesn’t have to cost you financially. Not sure what to blog about? Consider your passions. What’s something you could go on and on and on and on about and never run out of things to say. That’s what you should blog about. And don’t be afraid that what you have to say won’t matter since so many others are out there saying the same thing. They aren’t. God made you with a unique voice. Use it.
5. Go On or Host a Writing Retreat: Every writer needs time alone with their laptop and those characters or important thoughts running around in their head. Many people have large houses, cabins in the woods, or oceanfront condos at their disposal. Find a writer friend or three or six and plan a gathering at someone’s place. Split the grocery bill and cooking responsibilities or choose to eat out. Then spend the week relaxing and writing. It’s like taking a cool drink on a hot summer’s day. Refreshing to mind, spirit, and body. Not to mention your creative flow.
6. Join a Critique Group: There isn’t always a critique group in everyone’s local area, but that doesn’t mean you are alone. Talk to your writer friends and see if anyone has an online critique group you can join. Some groups will Skype or use some other way to link the group online so they can “meet.” Find a group to link up with and get some helpful feedback on your writing.
7. Try Something New: What have you wanted to write but never dared to try? Are you a non-fiction writer who can’t get a character out of your head? Are you dying to try your hand at flash fiction or a genre you don’t normally write? Set aside 15 minutes a day to try something new.
8. Step Away from the Computer: We spend all day facing a screen. Sometimes we get so sucked into our imaginary realms we forget to spend time in the real world. Make it a point to step away from your characters long enough to spend face time with those who love you. Play a board game, take a walk, watch a show at the local theater, go for a drive, take some pictures to use in your blog posts.
9. Attend a Local Workshop: Not everyone can afford a conference, but most could afford a local workshop. Check with your local library to see if they offer any writing classes. Watch online for free classes.
10. Follow 5 Blogs: There are many writing blogs and author blogs available to follow. Pick 5 and sign up for their emails or add them to your reader. Make a point to leave comments on each at least once a week. Share your favorite posts. Not only will you be learning about the business and craft of writing, you’ll also be networking.

What other things can you do in 2017 that are relatively free? We’d love to hear your suggestions! [reminder]

Alycia W. Morales is an award-winning freelance editor and author. Her clients have won the Selah Award, BRMCWC Director’s Choice Award, and many others. Her writing has been published in Thriving Family magazine, Splickety Love, and several compilation books. She is a member of ACFW, the president of Cross n’ Pens critique group, and a BRMCWC Conference Assistant.

Alycia blogs at The Write Editing and Life. Inspired.

When she isn’t busy writing, editing, and reading, Alycia enjoys spending time with her husband and four children taking hikes in Upstate SC and NC, creating various crafts, coloring in adult coloring books, and watching TV.