- Add ten-minutes of writing time to each day. For example, if you normally write thirty-minutes a day, write for forty. If you write zero presently, write ten.

- Research one new market each week.

- Read half of a writing-related article each day.

- Spend 15 more minutes a week networking.

- Brainstorm article ideas for 5 minutes a day.

- Each day, read two paragraphs from that writing book you just bought.

- Write one additional chapter of your novel-in-progress each week.

- Spend ten minutes a day cleaning your writing area and organizing your files.

You may want to try a few of these, or think of changes that better fit your needs. The idea is to think big but to start small. You're full of optimism right now and you're setting big goals, but don't lose perspective. Your life will become busy and it's all too easy to place your goals on backburner where you will not think of them again for days, weeks, or even months. The idea is to begin implementing them now, in small increments.

Once you find these small commitments have become a habit, you may want to implement small increases. Ten minutes may be traded up for fifteen, one chapter may become two. Just remember, little things will add up and morph into bigger things.

Here's to accomplishing big things in 2004, little by little.

- Smaller pieces gets you known to editors who, having seen and enjoyed your work, are more likely to commission you for longer pieces later.

- Word for word, rewards are far higher than for almost any other type of written projects, with possible exception of creating winning slogans and tie-breakers for big-prize competitions. (Don't worry, How to Be a Five Minute Writer includes a free guide to writing competitions tie-breakers and slogans).

- No rejection slips, ever! What better start to a full-time writing career?

- Finished pieces can be completed in minutes and spread over whatever time writer can spare between other professional and domestic activities. Great for mother or carer, or otherwise housebound or restricted individual with a desire to write, but little time to spare.

- No bulky equipment and research materials required, meaning you can write, any time, any place, anywhere. A notepad and pen is all you really need to get started on this amazing journey to becoming a well-paid writer.

- Fillers can be fitted between longer writing or non-writing assignments, offering a change of ‘scenery' and more frequent financial rewards.

- Every single piece you write can be recycled in columns, articles, even full-length best-selling books, and can continue earning high rewards over months, years, perhaps forever.

It's not a case of ‘cheap and cheerful' for those who publish your work - they need you - to increase interest in their publications, reduce reading times, multiply circulation rates, and cut their overheads.

For that they'll reward you well, and continue doing so, perhaps for lifetime of your mutual existence!

Avril Harper (www.fillerfactory.com) is the author of ‘How to Be a Five Minute Writer' and spends a great deal of her own full-time writing day creating short pieces for regular, high ticket rewards.