The new year is almost here, and it’s time for us at The Mixed-Up Files to share our reading and writing resolutions with you. We hope some of our aspirations will inspire you to make your own such resolutions. And we’d love to read about your hopes and dreams in the comments section so you can inspire us as well.
Here’s to a Happy New Year filled with joy and good reading!!
Andrea Pyros is the author of Pink Hair and Other Terrible Ideas and My Year of Epic Rock
Writing Resolution: “I am in the middle of writing two books. I’d like to finish first drafts of both in the next six months, which feels (I hope!) realistic and doable.”
Reading Resolution: “I feel guilty when I put a book aside instead of finishing it. I’m going to cut myself a break and stop if a book isn’t grabbing me after giving it a shot. Sometimes you’re the wrong reader at a particular moment, and that’s okay! It’s no fault of the book or the author, and there’s no shame in my saying, ‘Not right now’ if I can’t seem to finish something.”
Melissa Roske is the author of Kat Greene Comes Clean (Charlesbridge, 2017) and the short story “Grandma Merle’s Last Wish,” which will appear in the forthcoming Jewish middle-grade anthology, Coming of Age: 13 B’Nai Mitzvah Stories (Albert Whitman & Company, 4/19/22).
Writing Resolution: “In 2022, I vow to write every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes. The pandemic made sticking to a regular writing routine extremely challenging, but—to quote Gene Autry (and Aerosmith)—it’s time to get back in the saddle!”
Donna Galanti is the author of two middle grade series—Unicorn Island and Joshua and The Lightning Road.
Writing Resolution: “Since moving myself to a new area, my son to Hawaii, and my dad to assisted living this year—I completely lost my writing routine and motivation. My goal in 2022 is to find inspiration and order again. I want to create and follow through on a daily routine of writing that involves meditation, free writing, and crafting a new story close to my heart that involves autoimmune disorders. Also, as an added bonus, it would be a boost to complete two unfinished manuscripts.” 😊
Reading Resolution: “To read during the day—not just that fifteen minutes before I fall asleep! This mean setting aside focused, daily reading time to dive into more heartfelt, contemporary middle grade.”
Samantha M. Clark is the author of The Boy, The Boat, and The Beast, Arrow (Simon & Schuster) and American Horse Tales: Hollywood (Penguin)
“2021 was a very busy year for me, and I didn’t have much time to stop and smell the roses. I want to make that time in 2022, to focus better, to relax better, and to read more. Reading more should always be a priority.”
Patricia Bailey is the author of The Tragically True Adventures of Kit Donovan.
“My reading and writing resolution for 2022 is the same—to be more playful.”
Mindy Alyse Weiss writes middle grade novels and picture books with humor, heart, and hope.
“My writing resolution is to write and/or revise something every day.”
Julie K. Rubini is the author of critically acclaimed biographies and recently served as the editor of Virginia Hamilton: Five Novels, published by the Library of America.
Writing Resolution: “I want to continue to be open to whatever opportunities the universe provides for my next writing projects. I’m hopeful that includes the sale of my latest proposal about an inspirational woman!”
Heather Murphy Capps’s debut novel, Indigo and Ida (Lerner/Carolrhoda Lab), will publish in spring of 2023. Capps is an upper MG author of color and is dedicated to supporting and creating equity in education and publishing.
Writing Resolution: “I am thrilled to be able to say for the first time that my resolution for 2022 is to complete edits on my debut novel by early spring, plus finish drafting my newest novel.”
Reading Resolution: “I have a TBR pile on my bedside table that is always threatening to topple from its sheer height. My resolution is to make a dent in that before buying new books. It’s very hard to resist the lure of the bookstore because so many fabulous books come out every year!”
Sue Cowing is a poet and author of middle-grade fiction.
Writing Resolution: “To go to the page every day with deeper attention and joy.”
Reading Resolution: “My resolution is to be clear about what I really want to read and write, not what I should.”
Dorian Cirrone writes fiction and poetry for all ages. Her most recent novel is The First Last Day (S&S/Aladdin).
Writing resolution: “I’m almost finished with the book I vowed to finish last year. It’s been fighting me to be longer and more complex, so this year, it’s on!”
Reading resolution: “Keep reading widely but not beat myself up if I don’t want to read a particular genre.”
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Thanks for including me! There’s some great inspirational ideas for boosting writing and reading. 🙂