Setting Small & Specific Writing Goals in 2022 - Willow Ward
With a new year comes a new list of writing resolutions to complete, and I can already tell this year’s list will fare better than previous years.
One of the most common mistakes I used to make as a writer was setting myself overwhelming goals that I struggled to maintain throughout the year. It was easy enough to sit down in January and promise myself to “write a book” by the end of the year. But come December, after life had taken twists and turns that I couldn’t have predicted, it was disheartening to stare upon my still-unfinished manuscript — regardless of how much progress I had achieved.
It got me thinking… If I separated the one goal of “write a book” into smaller and more specific goals, it would be much easier to measure my success throughout the year. And there is nothing more appealing to me than tracking my progress and feeling accomplished.
So, in 2022, I will be setting my writing up for success by thinking small and specific.
Setting deadlines for my writing goals
If you’re anything like me, you know how difficult it can be to feel motivated when there is no deadline driving you through the procrastination. But setting time-specific deadlines for my writing milestones helps me track my progress and recognise my achievements more frequently. When I measure my success with specific goals, my work in progress appears much less intimidating as a whole.
It helps me to break my deadlines down into smaller milestones in my diary so I can keep myself on track and stay motivated. And if my self-made deadlines just aren’t enough to motivate me, I can turn to publication opportunities and competitions to give me an extra push. Whether my submission is selected or not, it’s a great opportunity to practice writing and polish my editing skills. And who knows? Maybe I’ll have a published work under my belt soon enough.
Reading. Reading. And more reading
I know… You’ve heard it countless times before: “If you want to be a good writer, you need to be a good reader.” As repetitive as this advice can be, it is there for good reason. Reading is an excellent way to develop writing skills without touching a pen or keyboard. I have discovered techniques that I love, and techniques that I loathe, through reading and have implemented what I’ve learned into my own writing. Not only that, but reading has expanded my vocabulary and helped me identify the popular trends in my favourite genres and forms.
This year, I have treated myself to a reading journal, where I plan to track and review the books I read this year. And instead of trying to read an unrealistic number of books in a year, this year I’m setting a smaller reading goal, that’s relevant to my writing and that balances well with other responsibilities in my life. As the saying goes, quality over quantity.
Using writer’s block to my advantage
The dreaded writer’s block: a writer’s worst enemy and the cause of many incomplete writing resolutions. A quick Google search can provide you with enough articles and tips to fend off the less severe cases¾ a walk to clear your head or a writing exercise to get the juices flowing. But sometimes, writer’s block sticks. In this case, I could easily throw in the towel and switch on the latest episode of a Netflix show [SM1] instead. But even when writing my book has been put on pause, there are [SM2] ways to use my time to my advantage as a writer.
Something I’ve discovered recently is that writing is only part of what I need to be a writer, especially since I want to be published someday. What I often neglect is the necessity of my professional profile. An author bio, book synopses, blog posts — these can all be crucial in boosting my professional identity as a writer. So, if I do find myself stuck with writer’s block, I’ll be using that time to work on other aspects of my craft or career.
What writing goals will you set yourself this year?
When creating my resolutions for 2022, I realised that smaller and more specific goals would be easier to achieve and measure throughout the year - and therefore much more likely to be completed. Small goals will encourage me to keep pushing and give me helpful boosts of confidence as they are ticked off. Specific goals will help me track my progress clearly, especially in terms of time and quantity. With them, I know 2022 will be a successful writing year for me.
Queensland Writers Centre has some great resources that can give you some ideas - whether that’s taking time to attend a workshop, joining a book club, or seeking support from a professional writer.
Willow Ward - Queensland Writers Centre Intern (QUT)