It’s a new year, in fact a new decade. Whether you’re a fan of resolutions or not, January always feels like a new beginning, a chance to start afresh with a clean slate. Or to put it like the inspirational quote I saw on Instagram the other day: A new year is like a blank book and the pen is in your hands.

But what about the experts? I turned to our United Ghosts to ask them what their writing resolutions were for 2020. Hopefully you’ll find it an interesting and inspiring read and remember, if your resolution is to finally write that book, get in touch so one of our ghosts can help you turn that resolution into a reality…

Ginny Carter

This year I’d like to try writing some flash fiction in my own name. Last year I went on a workshop and was inspired by it so this year’s aim is to put it into practice.

Teena Lyons

My resolution, which is quite dull but will save me hours if not days, is to keep a running note of sources. Often, when on a roll writing non-fiction it’s tempting to Google things, find some great research and plough on. Then you get to the publishing process and are suddenly presented with a long list of queries about the source of certain facts and figures. It’s a nightmare to go back and fill them all in.

Emma Murray

My main aim of 2020 is to try to stop freaking out about this year’s workload (an academic textbook, a ghostwriting project on the future of finance and novel number three – plus promotional stuff for the first two novels) and try to manage my time more effectively so I can fit it all in without having a nervous breakdown!

Caro Handley

This year I want to try new things – write about something I’ve never written about before or try a genre I haven’t attempted before. I’m about to start a book with a woman who was a civil engineer and the only woman in a class of 300 men. I know nothing about civil engineering, so it’s going to be an education. As for the genre, I’d love to write something funny. So any comedians out there wanting a memoir – please get in touch.

Ben Jeapes

I want to write my novel that will set the Church of England straight on the matters of sex and death. It’s been bubbling away in my hindbrain for some years now and it’s about time I let it out.

Simon Rae

Go back to my YA novel ‘Rio Gold’ which was timed to come out at the last Olympics but is still gathering dust with the publisher. However as it’s an Olympic year again I’m going to polish it up and self publish it.

Shannon Kyle

I’d like to try and enjoy the process of writing a book, rather than striving for the end goal all the time. I’m always in a panic and feel like I’m never doing enough with each and every book but I’d like to have faith it will get done and could even be fun at times.

Cheryl Rickman

To finish what I’ve started. I have four children’s book manuscripts which I’ve written, got feedback on and then put away in a drawer due to working on other people’s books. I’d like to complete and submit at least one of those to agents and publishers this year. My word of the year is ‘nourish’, so I’m trying to say yes to projects that nourish me as a writer and nourish the people who choose to read them.

Spencer Honniball

I’d love to try and write a first draft of a novel based on a proposed TV series that came close to being developed about a hitman involved in human trafficking.

Martin Toseland

Don’t panic! I find I tend to accept everything that comes my way, so 2020 should be the year of sometimes saying no.

Heather Bishop

I’d like to read more for pleasure. After all, in order to become a great writer you need to be a great reader. Also my main resolution is to follow my instincts. It’s OK, if something doesn’t feel right, to say no or cut your losses and walk away.

Gillian Stern

My resolution is to take on work that doesn’t require me to be an untrained therapist. In the job I’m currently doing I feel like I’m so immersed in it, I’ve truly become the person that I’m writing about.

Susan Feldstein

My aims are to only take on projects I’m truly passionate about and to try not to get too emotionally involved in the copy I write for clients. The main ghosting project I was working on last year encompassed child abuse, bereavement, cancer and addiction. I was utterly wiped out by the end of the four months I spent writing about all of this.