Setting Writing Targets
Targets are essential to the success of any project, especially writing. Your targets could be in the form of words written; stories or in terms of completing a novel, a writing course, competitions entered, works submitted to publishers, reading about writing etc. Your goals could be any combination of these ideas.
With any targets, it's good to make sure they are SMART:
Specific - 'Write 500 words per week day' rather than 'spend time writing'
Measurable - the target should include a quantity - this could be an amount of time; number of words; number of chapters, stories etc.
Agreed - your goals should take into account the demands that significant others place on your time, and agree with them that you carve out time to write. Achievable - they should be goals you can meet.
Realistic - If you work a 40 hour week, have a family or other demands on your time, it's unlikely that you'll be able to spend large chunks of time writing, so your targets should be lower. Katherine Grubb talks about how she wrote a novel in 10 minutes a day: https://www.10minutenovelists.com/write-a-novel-in-ten-minutes/
Timely - your goals should have a deadline. It's good practice in learning how to meet publishing deadlines, but also, it ensures you keep working to meet the deadline.
(Note: there are variations on what the letters stand for!)
It's good to set targets that will stretch you, encourage you to expand your writing skills, either by trying a new genre, increasing the word counts, or developing your writing through a course or writer's group. One of my favourite quotes is: "When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either." Leo Burnett
Once you've decided on your targets, put them up where you'll see them, and where you can track your progress. Mine go on noticeboards in my study.
I am currently working on a novel, and I continue to write short stories. For this year, I aim to:
- write one short story / article a month - these I submit for publication or to competitions, depending on the piece.
- Enter 2 writing competitions: I use Outlook, and enter the dates of competitions in my calendar. You can find lists of competitions here:
https://www.dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-contests/
https://www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-tips-and-writing-advice/short-story-competitions.php
- complete the first draft of my current novel - this is currently over half way, and I have the outline and characters in my head. I am tracking progress with word counts - a good reason for using a computer and word processing programme. I need to write at least 500 words a week on this novel.
- finish an edit on another novel (I have a note pad with 1-44 written on it, and cross off each chapter as I edit it) I break this target down into chapters per week.
- write a blog entry each week
- read up to 70 books
I have a tracker on my wall, and have put up a calendar to write down how many words a day I write. I submit my work on a regular basis, when I believe it's ready for publication.
I work part time, have been writing for nearly 30 years, and know that these are achievable, but will also stretch me. I also like to keep more than one project on the go, so when one stalls, I can turn to another.
For me writing is its own reward, but if you need the motivation, create rewards for yourself when you complete a target. If you don't meet a target, don't beat yourself up about it. Instead, re-evaluate your targets, and either catch up or set new ones which are more realistic.
Once you have your targets, make sure you set aside time in your daily schedule.
"Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage, but simply because they have never organised their energies around a goal." - Elbert Hubbard
Help ensure your success as a writer by setting SMART targets.