Setting Writing Goals?
Are setting goals important or a distraction?
Many writers approach their writing in many different ways. Some plan whilst others wing it. Others set goals when others wait to see what happens.
Setting goals is important for me. I lack focus when I don’t have something to work toward, like a deadline. I don’t have the discipline to not set goals.
I find them important.
That’s not to say I am not always good at keeping my deadlines but setting out with good intentions at least makes it feel as though I am drifting along with no destination.
I am the same with my reading. I need to have an idea ahead of time of which books I am going to be reading otherwise I get out of the habit of picking up a book.
I have set writing goals for 2014. I want to have completed a first draft of my book. I want to have written a couple of short stories.
Do you set regular writing goals? Do you think goals are important? Have you set any goals for 2014?
by 
I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.
2 Responses to Setting Writing Goals?
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Book Club
You’re right and I am gradually finding my own way of working too. It’s very easy when you start out to try and copy how someone else does things. It was with me anyway.
I think every writer works differently and what suits one does not necessarily suit another. I do have a beginning and an end and a general idea of what happens in between. I type up a list of scene titles as they come into my head using them as a guide as I set out on the journey. However, writing for me is a very organic experience and I have no pre-conceived ideas of exactly how each scene will work. Some things translate well from thought to paper, some don’t so I try to keep an open mind. Am currently working on my sixth novel and my original thoughts on this particular story have had many overhauls since I first began to write it. I tend to try and finish a scene by the end of each day of writing, which leaves me time to throw new ideas around in my head so I’m ready to go the next day.
So as far as I’m concerned there are no rules – the most important thing is that at the end of the day the way you work suits you and you achieve your goal – a completed manuscript.