New Year. New Writing Goals.
As everyone is doing posts on New Year’s resolutions, I decided to join the fun. I’m a list maker. I even jot things down on my daily list that I’ve already done just so I can have the satisfaction of checking it off. With the new year upon us, I can begin my favorite kind of list: annual writing goals. At the end of each year, I visit my writing goals and check off what I’ve accomplished and then if I didn’t get to them all, I add or adjust them for the next year.
The important thing that I’ve learned from this exercise is to make REALISTIC goals in my writing that will still PUSH me to reach my ultimate dreams. Nothing can be as discouraging as unrealistic, unmet writing career goals, but at the same time, it is vital to not make them too easy because if they are easy to achieve, I won’t grow as a writer. And, isn’t the whole point of goal making to push yourself?
So, with that said, here are a few of my writing goals that I feel like I can “control.” (I say “control” because in my head I’m singing a very dramatic “Jesus take the wheel,” but in the Tim Hawkins version.)
3 Simple Writing Goals:
1. Increase my daily word count. Last year, I increased my daily writing significantly. So, using the same technique of micro-outlining, I’m going to apply the bottom-in-chair method and type and type until I reach my new goal…every day.
2. Add one more project. I usually have a pace of two books a year, but this time, I want to add at least one more novella to that pace. This will take careful planning and dedication, but with the increase in word count, it will enable me to produce more.
3. Study the craft. In addition to my usual literary blog readings, I’ve decided to give myself some homework. At the ACFW conference, there is a wonderful room dedicated to writers’ resources and of course, fiction. So, I bought a book that I found there on honing my writing craft that I plan on studying a little every day. In order to have time to write and study, I may have to sacrifice a little down time, but I think it will be well worth it in the pursuit of improving my writing.
Other ways you can grow your craft: follow literary blogs, subscribe to a writers magazine (Writer’s Digest is my fav) and/or attend a writers conference. An excellent place to find all that info in one spot is The Christian Writers Institute.
Click here to read a post on growing your craft.
I hope you have a wonderful new year and that you have fun writing your own goals that will push you one step closer to acheiving your dream! Happy Writing!
Photo Cred: Unsplash.com
