Our subject this month is "Spring Into Better Writing Habits." Writing habits are something I have developed over the past four plus years of being in ANWA. I'll share a few, and my challenge for you is to pick at least one and start doing it—if you aren't already. (Of course, we have veterans in ANWA of whom I am in awe, who probably do all of these things and more. Your challenge is to let me know what else I can do to improve.)

One good one is to be an active participant in a writing group. Come prepared to share something with your chapter each month; if not for critique, at least for fun and acknowledgment. This way you have a goal to shoot for, a date that something needs to be completed by. It can be a poem, an essay, a letter, a news article, a journal entry, or a chapter for a book. I know for some of you sisters who do not live near a chapter, you may feel this is impossible. ANWA is not the only writing group. There are many, and you can search in your yellow pages, local library, or the internet, and sometimes in local bookstores for a local writing group that you may feel comfortable joining. Being able to meet with others who have similar goals as you do is motivating.

Another habit is to write something everyday. It doesn't have to be profound. It doesn't even have to be long. A sentence: sometimes when I'm busy I only jot down a thought or a word. But I write everyday. Sometimes it's only re-writing something I'm working on. Other times it's preparing a lesson to give in church. I write at least something every day. Many writers feel it is helpful for them to set a certain time of day for them to do their writing. If that works for you, that's great. For me, I write whenever I can, every day.

A tip that I learned from an on-line magazine was to keep a notebook in my car. I also keep a notebook by my bed with a pencil to capture my dreams before they are lost. Often ideas slip in while I'm driving down the road. I'm as guilty as MaryEllen Simmons of scribbling notes while steering my automobile. It does work better though, if you wait for a stop light, at least. I have built a file of ideas from the notes I've jotted down in these notebooks, to use in future novels.

Another habit I encourage very strongly is to read. Read the genre you want to write. Read the classics. Read other genres. Read some how-to books on the type of writing you want to do. This will stir the brain cells into action and help develop your writing savvy. I usually go through one or two books a week.

The last habit I'll mention here is to ask for someone you trust to give you an honest review and critique. Every writer makes honest mistakes. It's very hard to catch all of your own errors. I've enjoyed our on-line critique (ANWACritique) very much. It is also good practice for you to help edit others' works. It will help you hone your own writing skills.

May this spring see your writing come to full bloom.