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Why Setting Writing Goals Will Make You A Better Writer

By on August 18, 2017
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When it comes to great writing, having a goal mind is so important. It could be a big, long term goal such as finishing your novel, or a smaller goal such as writing that short story or first chapter.

When it comes to writing, having goals is crucial. With everything that is important in life, if we don’t have goals or aims of how to improve, we can lack direction. We can become stagnant and unable to move forward.

Setting writing goals is a great idea because:

They help you understand your reasons for writing

Goals give us clarity. When you are setting your goals it will become abundantly clear what it is you hope to achieve. You should never censor yourself when it comes to goal setting. Be as bold and imaginative as you like. There is no reason why your biggest goal can’t be to become a best-selling, world famous author. You just need to then figure out all the steps and other, smaller goals that will get you there.

They keep you writing regularly

Write out your goals, both big and small, and pin them somewhere you can see them. Your goals should not just be your end goals, but everything you need to do in order to achieve them. By breaking your goals down into small, manageable steps you have effectively created a to do list which will help set out a pathway to get there. Make sure you give yourself deadlines as well, and then you will find that you write more regularly and more productively too.

They give you a powerful sense of achievement when you reach one

It’s important to give yourself credit when you have achieved something, even if it is a little thing! Setting writing goals allows you to reward yourself. You don’t have to wait until your book has been published to feel a sense of achievement, you can be proud of yourself for finishing that chapter or hitting your word count target for the day. Feeling as though you are achieving your goals is a powerful motivator and will keep you in a positive frame of mind and inspired to keep on going.

They help you learn and grow as a writer

Of course, one of the wonderful things about writing goals is that they are malleable. What you first set out to achieve may become something different as you move forward on your writing journey. Looking back at your goals and always keeping them in mind, as well as being flexible with them and allowing room for them to adjust, will help shape what kind of writer you are, as well as what kind of writer you want to become.

Setting writing goals is helpful whatever stage you are at with your writing, so if you haven’t already, try to think about why you want to write, what you want to achieve and by when, and the kind of writer you want to be - then you’ll always have these to focus on and keep you moving and improving all the time.

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

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