PolyProse

Starting a new writing project is exciting until you sit down and face the blank screen. Creating something out of nothing can be overwhelming. But you are here, which means you have taken the first necessary steps to start that draft. Setting goals can transform that daunting page into a story you love.

Why Set Writing Goals?

Writing goals provides practical and psychological benefits. 

• Provides Direction: Goals keep you focused and on track. They also prevent you from researching instead of writing or wandering. (We have all been there.) 
• Boosts Motivation: Achieving small goals motivates you to tackle complex aspects of your project. 
• Manages Overwhelm: Breaking down the writing process into manageable tasks makes the overall project seem more achievable.
• Increases Productivity: With clear goals, you are more likely to use your writing time to write instead of sitting in bed without a clue where to start. 
• Increases Confidence: As you consistently reach your goals, your confidence in your writing abilities grows.
• Reduces Anxiety: Having a plan can significantly reduce your anxiety and stress.

The SMART Approach to Goal Setting for Writers

A popular method for goal setting is the SMART approach.

• Specific: Your goal should be well-defined. Instead of a vague “Write more,” choose “Write 500 words daily.” You want to be precise.
• Measurable: You need to be able to track your progress. That could be word counts, page numbers, scenes completed, or time spent writing. Whatever your goal, it needs a measurable metric. You need to know when you have hit the target.
• Achievable: Set realistic goals within your current ability and constraints. If you only have 30 minutes daily for writing, that is okay. But do not strive to write for 20 hours a week. You might have a full-time job and family commitments. Be kind to yourself!
• Relevant: Your goals should align with your overall writing objectives. If your goal is to complete a first draft, then your goal should not be to learn ten new words a week. While that goal grows your vocabulary, it does not help complete your novel. Focus on goals that contribute directly to your objective.
• Time-bound: Set a deadline for your goals. A deadline, even a flexible one, can be a powerful motivator. If you say, “Finish my novel,” there is no sense of urgency. Instead, “Finish my first draft by the first of December” gives you an exact date that you can use to time yourself and break up your work into appropriate chunks.

Alternative Goal-Setting Strategies for Authors

Other goal-setting strategies can also be effective. You could even use them with the SMART framework. 

• WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan): This method, developed by Gabriele Oettingen, encourages you to identify a goal, the obstacles that might prevent success, and then a plan to overcome them.
• Backward Design: Start with your final goal (completing a first draft) and work backward to determine the steps you need to take.
• The 1-3-5 Rule: Refine your daily tasks to one large, three medium, and five small tasks.

Examples of Achievable First Draft Goals for Different Writing Projects

Here are some examples of goals.

• “I will write 1,000 words daily, five days a week.”
• “I will complete one chapter per week.”
• “I will outline the major plot points of the first 25 percent of my novel by the end of the next two months, including character arcs and key conflicts.”
• “I will write one scene daily, concentrating on dialogue and pacing.”
• “I will develop the main characters and setting before starting the full draft, creating detailed backstories and vivid descriptions.”
• “I will create a detailed character breakdown for the protagonist and antagonist before writing the script, including their motivations, flaws, and relationships.”

Tips for Setting and Achieving Your Writing Goals

To maximize your chances of success, consider these additional tips:

• Be realistic: Do not set yourself up for failure by aiming for the impossible.
• Break down larger goals: Sometimes, goals can feel insurmountable. We need to break them down into smaller steps. Instead of saying, “Write a novel,” consider thinking, “Write one chapter,” or even “Write one scene.”
• Track your progress: Use a writing journal, a spreadsheet, or an app to monitor your progress. I use a writing journal, a mix of icons and color coding on Scrivener, and data validation with color coding on Google Sheets.
• Be flexible: Adjust your goals! Life can take an unexpected course at any time. That is okay because you need to be adaptable to achieve your goals.
• Celebrate your successes: Acknowledge and reward yourself. Did you write 500 words today? Treat yourself to something nice, or take a long salt bath. Small rewards can make a big difference.
• Find an accountability partner: Share your goals with friends in person or online. Knowing someone else is cheering you on can help you stay on track.
• Use writing prompts: If you are feeling uninspired, try using writing prompts to spark your creativity. This activity might contradict one goal, but it could inspire you to continue working on your main goal.
• Schedule your writing time: Treat writing like an appointment and schedule it into your day. When we wake up, we have a routine: 6 am wake up, 7 am eat breakfast, 8 am clock into work. These are appointments we make without thinking. You can do the same with writing time.

• Overcome perfectionism: This is a big one!
  • The first draft gets the ideas down on paper, not for crafting perfect prose.
  • Focus on getting your ideas down on paper without editing. Resist the urge to go back and tweak every sentence. I struggle horrendously with this.
  • Set a timer for your writing sessions. For example, tell yourself, “I am going to write for 25 minutes, and I am not going to stop to edit.”
  • You can revise and edit later. The first draft is just the raw material. It is for your eyes only. You can make that clear to others. Tell people, “It is not ready,” or “This is for me alone to look at because only I understand what it means.” You can set those boundaries. You can share later drafts.

Handling Writer Setbacks, Maintaining Motivation, and Refining Goals

We will face setbacks, struggle with motivation, and need to adjust our goals along the way. Here is how to navigate these challenges:

• Handling Setbacks in Your Writing Journey
• The key is not avoiding setbacks but handling them graciously and learning from them.
  • Acknowledge and accept setbacks: The first step is recognizing that setbacks are normal. Instead of saying, “I am a terrible writer,” tell yourself, “Okay, this did not work, but it is a learning experience.”
• Analyze the setback: Figure out what went wrong. Did you set an unrealistic goal? Did you not allocate enough time? Was there an unforeseen external factor? Was there an event in your family, work, or society? The more you understand the cause, the better equipped you will be to work around it in the future. If you are lucky, depending on the cause, you might prevent issues next time.

Develop coping strategies

Every writer needs a writing toolkit to deal with setbacks. Here are a few ideas:

• Take a break: Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step away from your writing. Go for a walk, listen to music, or do something unrelated to writing. Interacting with the world, friends, or family can boost your writing.
• Seek feedback: Consider sharing your work with a trusted friend, mentor, or writing group when you feel comfortable. Receiving constructive criticism can provide new insights into your work.
• Reframe negative thoughts: Instead of dwelling on what you did wrong, focus on what you can learn and improve. See what you can take away from your mistakes; focus on what you did right.
• Adjust your goals or plan: Sometimes, setbacks indicate that your initial goals or plan need tweaking. Do not be afraid to modify them to be more realistic or achievable.
• Release frustrations: I am sure people would disagree, as tantrums are unhealthy or an immature coping strategy. However, people do not realize that “healthy” coping requires vocabulary and understanding regarding your complex emotions. Putting on a 1-hour timer and complaining about how “writing is so stupid!” may help remove that surface anger. After that timer, you can reflect on your outburst and research your esoteric feelings. In that research, you can learn the vocabulary you lack to understand your deeper emotions.
• Build resilience: Rejection is a part of the writing process, and we often denigrate ourselves. Do not allow yourself to kick you down; keep going. Practice self-compassion (be kind to yourself!), perseverance (do not give up!), and adopt a growth mindset (belief in your ability to improve).

Maintaining Motivation for Long-Term Writing Projects

A writer needs to stay motivated over the long haul. Here is how to keep that fire burning:

• Establish a writing routine: A consistent writing schedule is a powerful ritual, even if it is just for 30 minutes a day.
• Find sources of inspiration: Surround yourself with things that inspire you. That can be music, time in nature, attending church, or raving at a drag show and singing, “But your dad just calls me Katya!” –It is highly personal.
• Stay connected: If you want, connect with other writers online or in person.

Success Stories: Authors Who Set and Achieved Their Writing Goals

The following writers demonstrate the power of setting and sticking to achievable writing goals:

• Stephen King: King is known for his consistent writing routine. He sets daily word count goals and adheres to them, contributing to his vast work. In his book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, King emphasizes the importance of routine and goal setting.
• Maya Angelou: The celebrated poet and author had a unique writing ritual that involved specific locations and tools. She often worked in hotel rooms, a practice that helped her focus and meet her writing goals. Personalizing your writing environment and routine can be instrumental in achieving your objectives.
• Jerry Seinfeld: The comedian and writer developed his “Don’t Break the Chain” method. He sets a daily goal of writing jokes and marks his progress on a calendar. This visual tracking system helps him stay consistent and motivated. Seinfeld built a massive body of work and honed his comedic skills over many years.
• Brandon Sanderson: A contemporary fantasy writer, Sanderson is known for his meticulous outlining and world-building. He sets ambitious project goals and breaks them down into smaller, manageable tasks to ensure he completes his complex series. 
• Joanne Rowling: The author of the Harry Potter series set a goal to complete her first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Despite facing numerous rejections, she persisted with her goal, which eventually led to unprecedented success.

Frequently Asked Questions About Setting Writing Goals

Q: How often should I review my writing goals?

A: It is a good idea to review your goals weekly or biweekly, depending on the time you have designated for your writing. Track your progress and make any necessary adjustments. Life has a habit of going off the rails, so regular check-ins are essential.

Q: What should I do if I am not meeting my goals?

A: Do not get discouraged and beat yourself up. Instead, analyze why you are struggling. Are your goals unrealistic? Is your writing process inefficient? Do you need more support or resources? Take these ideas into account and adjust your goals or your approach accordingly. Remember, flexibility is key.

Q: Is it acceptable to have multiple writing goals at once?

A: Yes, but ensure they are aligned and manageable. Trying to juggle too many goals can lead to burnout and frustration. Prioritize and focus.

Lessons in Writing Goal Setting: A Personal Breakthrough

Currently, I’m refining the second draft of my long-cherished ‘dream project.’ I’ve deliberately stepped away and started working on this blog to give my work time to breathe.

Before this break, however, I found myself paralyzed in the drafting stage. I was constantly stuck on the same scenes and chapters, endlessly striving for perfection. This led to a debilitating cycle of “Imposter Syndrome,” leaving me feeling upset, discouraged, and fearful that my passion for writing was an impossible dream.

Then, I paused. I closed my computer and asked myself, “Where is my writing journal?”

I realized I had previously set goals and timelines but failed to revisit them. This time, I crafted a new, realistic plan that accounted for my life responsibilities. I reevaluated my existing tools and strategies, adapting them to better support my objectives. I meticulously analyzed and annotated my writing, identifying weaknesses, and then diligently researched ways to overcome them. When I found myself stuck or struggling to get ahead, I recognized the setback and worked through it.

I set a firm deadline: I would finish my draft by midnight on my birthday. And, true to my word, I wrote the final chapter precisely on schedule!

However, my goals would not have been possible without Scrivener. The software allows you to organize your work and measure your progress. I use color coding along with icons to monitor my work. If you want to give it a look, you can use my affiliate link: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=polyprose

Conclusion

It is possible to complete your manuscript. However, sharp stones lace that path. I had a lot of setbacks. To survive them, changed my thinking; rather than blaming myself or anyone else, I accepted that the world changes. No matter how much you plan, unexpected things will happen. I chose to give myself grace and extensions on my schedule. We cannot control the world around us, only the ones we create! So please take from my advice what resonates with you, and anything you do not like or do not connect with, ignore it if you want. Writing is a highly personal craft; no two writers have the same process.

Setbacks are inevitable, but they do not define you as a writer. What defines you is your resilience, your dedication to your craft, and your willingness to learn and grow. So, embrace the challenge, set those achievable goals, and embark on your writing journey with confidence and determination.

I want to hear from you: What are your top three writing goals? Please share them in the comments below, and let us support each other on this incredible adventure!