| In the 30+ years I have been writing my goals | | | | figuring out what keeps you writing, and having a |
| have changed many times. When I began writing | | | | writing schedule. "You'll never meet your year-end |
| my goal was to be published. I reached that goal. | | | | publishing goals if your writing is hit and miss," she |
| Years passed and my goals became more | | | | comments. |
| specific, such as writing another recycling/reuse | | | | Moira Allen weighs in on the topic in her article, |
| book. Every writer needs goals in order to be | | | | "Setting Effective Writing Goals," posted on the |
| successful. | | | | Writing World website. She discusses the |
| What are your goals? Is it time to update them? | | | | importance of attainability and measurability. "You |
| I am doing this now and have returned to my | | | | must be honest with yourself about what you are |
| original goal of getting a book published. It is ironic. | | | | able to achieve at this stage in your writing |
| Dustin Wax writes about goal-setting in his | | | | career," she notes. But sometimes, and this may |
| Writers Technology website article, "How to set | | | | be one of them, you want to go for it. You want |
| SMART Writing Goals." The caps for the word | | | | to pursue a dream to see if it can come true. |
| smart come from business psychologist George | | | | This is not unrealistic; it is the nature of writing. |
| Doran and are an acronym for goal-setting. S is | | | | "Your interests may change, your dreams may |
| for specific goals with outcomes. M represents | | | | change, your skills will certainly change," Allen |
| measurable goals you can track. A stands for | | | | explains. |
| achievable goals. In other words, your goals need | | | | I want to sell another book and have three |
| to be realistic. R represents the relevant goals | | | | completed manuscripts on hand. When I was at a |
| that matter to you. Finally, T stands for time -- | | | | conference several weeks ago I talked with the |
| setting a deadline to achieve your goals. | | | | executive director of my publishing company |
| Many writers have vague goals, Wax points out, | | | | about the affects of the recession on sales. "Long |
| and he thinks this comes from a fear of | | | | books are not selling," she observed, "Short ones |
| commitment. Setting goals may set you up for | | | | and booklets are." Her observation changed my |
| failure. Wax cites examples of "dumb" goals, such | | | | thinking and I offered to write a booklet. |
| as getting your novel published. According to Wax, | | | | As soon as I returned home I delivered on this |
| you need to be specific when you set your goals | | | | promise. I was specific about the purpose of the |
| and an example of this is writing a book proposal | | | | booklet, offered design suggestions, and said I |
| by a certain date. | | | | would contact groups that might be interested in |
| "Make sure you have some way of keeping track | | | | bulk sales. Just because a resource is small does |
| of your goals," he advises. | | | | not mean it has less impact. Indeed, a booklet |
| Jennifer Jensen focuses on goals in her Writing | | | | may fit a specific niche and lead to surprising |
| Fiction website article, "Writer's Goals to Get | | | | sales. Despite the economy, despite my age, I |
| Published." She tells writers to set year-end goals. | | | | continue to pursue my writing dreams. Will you? |
| These goals may include studying markets, | | | | |