Martin Amis says that when he gets stuck writing he gets up from his desk and walks away. The solution to whatever the problem is comes while he’s doing something else.

Okay, the next couple of days I’m going to be thinking about the goals and deadlines I’m setting myself as a writer over the next year.  I always do this and I think it’s helpful to set clear resolutions when it comes to something as slippery as writing.  Without fixed outlines, it can be hard to ever get that novel or short story on the page.  Months can slide by without the work I want to do getting done.  Writing needs dedication and, for me, dedication comes from setting myself a timeline and ensuring I meet it.

Have you thought about setting yourself writing goals this year?  Make your goals realisitic, specific and measurable and see if it helps you achieve what you want as a writer.  Think too about setting some goals for reading – I always write a list of books I plan to read through the upcoming year, believing that reading is crucial for any writer.

Write a list tonight of ten things you want to achieve in writing/reading over the next twelve months.  Hone and think about this list between now and New Year’s Eve.  When you toast in 2011, know your writing is off to a good start.

Shifting tenses is tricky and can be confusing for the reader.  Think about which moment in time you’re in and try to stick with it, so the reader can settle back in their seat and enjoy the story without feeling like they’re time-travelling – unless, of course, that’s what you want them to feel.