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New Year- 2019

New Year Resolutions

floraj5604

This week, I’m going to tell you how I like to do New Year resolutions. I decided to do a shorter post this week since I’ll probably do a longer one next week. So, let’s get started!

How I Do It

I don’t really think of these as “resolutions.” I think of them as goals. In the past, I just basically made a list of goals that I had hoped to accomplish that year. For example, one of them was to read every day. Now, after you read this next sentence, you’ll probably think, “Oh, she’s just like everyone else. I thought she was actually going to give me some helpful tips!” Well, here’s the sentence: I was just like everyone else. I made a list of goals, kept them up for a while, and then (yup, you guessed it!) gave up after I missed a day or two.

Well, my friends, I’ve decided I’m going to do it differently this year! Now you’re probably thinking, “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Everybody says that!” Yes, I do realize that. But this year, I’m not going to give up. Once again, I know what you’re thinking: “Sure you won’t! I’ve already tried it, so don’t you think I know?” Yes, I know you know. But I am serious. 

My Goals

Okay, I’m going to go ahead and list out my goals.

  1. Try to drink at least three cups of water a day.
  2. Exercise at least three days a week.
  3. Clean your room a little bit every day.
  4. Write every day.
  5. Have a good attitude about school.

Yep, that’s pretty much it. “What?? Just FIVE?!?” Yep, just five. That is one of my tips. So, I guess that’s what I’ll move on to next.

Tips

  1. Keep it simple. Don’t push yourself. You can always add on later during the year. Bad example: Lose ten pounds every week. Instead: Exercise at least three days a week.
  2. Don’t start the year off with a million goals. That won’t help you. Start small, and then you can get bigger later. Bad example: thirty goals. Instead: ten to twenty.
  3. Don’t give up just because you miss one or two days! You have to keep going. Bad example: “Ugh, I only drank six cups of water instead of eight. Well, there goes that New Year’s resolution!” Instead: “I will try again tomorrow.”

And, that’s pretty much it. Only three rules to follow. Pretty simple, right?

One More Thing…

My New Year Goals are based off of things I want to either start doing and make a habit, or things I want to keep doing. That should be what yours are based off of too.

Next week I’ll be doing a post on how to improve your 2019 bullet journal! See you then!

Sharing Your Work

The Do’s and Don’t’s of Sharing your Writing with Others

floraj5604

Have you ever wanted to share your writing with someone else? I know I have. Today I’m going to cover the do’s and don’t’s of sharing your work.

 

Why Do I Need To Have Rules?

There are people out there who will take your work that you so kindly shared and post it all over the internet. They might even pretend it’s theirs. That’s why you only share with people you trust.

 

Who Would That Be? 

  • Family
  • Close friends
  • Teachers
  • and . . . anyone else you trust

 

Do’s

  • Do make sure that that person is COMPLETELY trustworthy.
  • Do tell them (and emphasize it) that this is NOT to be shared with anyone else, unless you give them permission.
  • Do ask someone else you know and trust if they think this is a good idea. It’s always good to have a second opinion. 
  • Do ask them if they liked it. 
  • Do ask them if you need to change anything. This is your chance to get a second opinion – take it! 

 

Don’t’s

  • DO NOT share your work with someone you don’t trust. Even if they offer you something. 
  • Do not offer to read someone else’s work and then post it all over the internet.  They trust you. If you aren’t careful, you might lose a friend.  
  • Do not mark all over their stuff. 

 

Here’s the Deal…

Here are the rules you should follow if someone gives you their writing to read. 

  • Don’t share their work with anyone else (unless they give permission). 
  • Ever heard of the Golden Rule (do to others as you would have them do to you)? Time to follow it. 
  • Don’t mess up their hard work. Do not mark on it or type other words on their paper. Return it the same way you received it. 
  • Make a list of critiques if they want your opinion. 
  • Tell them thank you for trusting you. Offer to share yours. 

 

What Should I Critique? 

Grammar: Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, pronouns, verbs, agreement…

Characters: Emotions, characteristics, appearance… Basically make sure they stay the same throughout the story. 

Hooked: Did you get hooked? Or was it long and boring? 

Setting: Were there enough details? Could you see it in your mind as you read? 

Plot: Was it exciting? Was there a good conclusion to the story? Or the perfect cliffhanger?

P.S. If you don’t want to publish your writing, then you don’t have to worry this much. But you should still be careful. 

 

See You Next Time…

Well, this is goodbye. Comment and tell me what you think!