Monday, January 15, 2024

Setting Writing Goals – Keeping it Simple

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

The new year is a chance to start anew. It’s when people make resolutions. Many people set goals. So, today we are going to discuss writing goals.

You may have already set yours. That’s awesome. If not, it’s never too late (and certainly doesn’t have to be at the beginning of the year) to set some good goals for your writing. And I’ll keep it simple for you!

There are a lot of different types of goals that pertain to writing:

  • Improvement – honing your craft and research
  • Writing – what you want to achieve as a writer
  • Publication – when and how
  • Marketing – your strategy and plans

Now, when setting these goals, you have to consider these particulars:

  • How much time can you devote to writing and all it involves?
  • Are the goals specific? Don’t be vague—get into the details.
  • Are the goals realistic? If not they will only cause frustration.
  • Have you set little goals that lead up to a big goal?
  • Are the goals your own or are you trying to keep pace with someone else?
  • Have you given your goals deadlines? No deadline, no finish!
  • Are you really committed to these goals?

Once you’ve set goals and honed the specifics, there are a few other items you need to take into account:

  • Distractions – sometimes they are out of your control and sometimes you can set goals to eliminate them
  • Rewards – when a goal is achieved, celebrate and reward yourself
  • Disappointments – sometimes a goal is missed, but it’s not the end of the world—just reset the goal and don’t beat yourself up

As promised, simple! Setting writing goals isn’t brain surgery, but they have to come from both the heart and the brain. You need passion but you also need common sense.

So, set goals in those areas, consider those particulars, and take into account those final items. And believe you can achieve them.

After all, you’re the creator of worlds, wielder of the mighty pen—you can make anything happen!

What specific goals will you be setting this year?

9 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Keeping it simple makes it a lot more doable! Great tips, Alex.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - Keeping it Simple is the easiest ... I'll just keep writing a few blog posts a month ... no goals as such, just as and when, and posts that are enjoyable and informative (where I learn too) ... Happy New Year to you and yours - cheers Hilary

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Always keep it simple. And set those little goals.

Natalie Aguirre said...

I like the idea of setting simple goals I can meet. I don't have enough passion to set really big ones.

Anonymous said...

I struggle with setting ambitious goals that I know deep down I don't have a prayer of ever achieving without massive amounts of divine intervention. The root of my goals for 2024 is to just do the thing - write, engage, improve, and try to laugh along the way.

Mirka Breen said...

KEEPING IT SIMPLE can be a moto for everything in life. Not only writing goals, but the writing itself benefits.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Excellent ideas. I am doing a lot of my goal setting and planning all wrong.

Jemi Fraser said...

I don't always make long-term goals. Instead I usually focus on the next step.
Having said that, I'm hoping to get at least 4 books up in a new series this year.

Jemi Fraser said...

I don't always make long term goals - I like focusing on the next step for the most part. But I do hope to get at least 4 books in a new series out this year.