Set Writing Goals

Writers need to set goals just like everyone else. Goals are the framework around which you will build your craft. But it is important to know what kind of goals to set. Beginning writers often set lofty, generalized goals (i.e., I want to write a bestselling novel). While this is an admirable goal, it is not an immediately achievable one and can easily lead to frustration, disappointment and a sense of futility. This happens because the goal is too overwhelming and sets you up to face insurmountable odds and likely failure. What you need are smaller, more specific, achievable goals (i.e., I will write an outline of my novel idea or I will write a sketch of the main character of my novel). These smaller goals, once achieved, become the building blocks for your larger goal of a published, successful novel. Smaller goals allow you to achieve gradually and to build confidence in your writing. They keep you focused on the work at hand, the process of writing, so that you're not distracted or overwhelmed by a larger goal. If you work steadily at these smaller goals, you will eventually have your finished novel or short story or essay. Because you have taken the time to build your writing project one small block at a time, you will have a finished work that is polished, structurally sound, and one that you can be proud of. So, dream big, but work small.