10 Promises to Myself (as a Writer)

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1. I will treat my writing like a job (because even long before I get my first paycheck, it is). 
2. I will act like a professional online, while speaking to those in the publishing industry, and whenever I’m in a space as a writer. 
3. I will read. In my genre and category, out of my genre and category, debut authors, new (to me) authors, authors whose every book I’ve read, books with nice covers, books with ugly covers and most importantly, I will never ever be ashamed of anything I enjoyed reading. 
4. I will always push myself and strive to improve my writing. 
5. I will consider all feedback I get on my writing before deciding whether or not to make suggested changes. 
6. I will veg out and not write when I need a break (and I won’t feel guilty about it). 
7. I will say no to friends and family when I need time to write (and I won't feel guilty about it).
8. I will write horrible first drafts (and be proud of them). 
9. I will be patient. With myself. With others. With the very slow process that is publishing. 
10. I will listen to my beta readers, my critique partners, my agent, my editor, and anyone else working on my book, and I will remember they want what’s best for my book and me. I will also remember they have a perspective I can’t have on my own, and their opinions are valid even when I disagree.

What writing-related promises have you (or will you) make to yourself?

Twitter-sized bite: 

.@Ava_Jae shares 10 writing-related promises she's made to herself. What writing promises do you keep yourself to? (Click to tweet)