Category: Challenges

Writing Goals

Some Goals to Check Out

  • Write every day: Set a goal to write for a certain amount of time or number of words every day. This can help you establish a writing routine and improve your skills.
  • Finish a writing project: If you have a specific writing project you want to complete, set a goal to finish it within a certain time frame. Break down the project into smaller tasks and set deadlines for each one.
  • Improve your writing skills: Identify areas where you want to improve your writing skills, such as grammar, punctuation, or storytelling. Set a goal to practice and learn more about these areas.
  • Submit your work for publication: If you want to get your writing published, set a goal to submit your work to a certain number of publications within a certain timeframe.
  • Attend a writing workshop or conference: If you want to learn more about writing or meet other writers, set a goal to attend a writing workshop or conference.
  • Read more: Reading is an important part of improving your writing skills. Set a goal to read a certain number of books or articles each month or year.
  • Experiment with different genres: If you typically write in one genre, challenge yourself to try writing in a different genre. This can help you expand your writing skills and discover new interests.
  • Write a certain number of words per week: Set a goal to write a certain number of words each week. This can help you establish a consistent writing practice and build momentum towards completing larger writing projects.
  • Start a writing group: If you enjoy working with others, consider starting a writing group. This can provide you with accountability and support as you work towards your writing goals.
  • Complete a writing challenge: There are many writing challenges available online, such as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) or 100 Days of Writing. Participating in a writing challenge can help you push through writer’s block and stay motivated.

Remember – the most important thing is to set goals that are meaningful and relevant to your writing practice. Choose goals that inspire you and challenge you to grow as a writer. Also, make your goals specific, measurable, and achievable. Good luck with your writing goals!

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Assessing Your Writing

Assessing your writing is an important part of improving your skills and achieving your writing goals. Here are some possible writing assessment goals:

    • Get feedback from others: Sharing your writing with others and getting feedback can help you identify areas for improvement. Set a goal to share your work with a writing partner, mentor, or writing group and ask for constructive feedback.
    • Analyze your writing: Take some time to analyze your writing objectively. Look for patterns in your writing style or mistakes you tend to make. Once you’ve identified areas for improvement, set goals to work on those specific areas.
    • Track your progress: Keep a log of your writing progress over time. This could include the number of words you write each day or week, the number of rejections or acceptances you receive, or the amount of time you spend writing each day.
    • Compare your writing to successful writers: Read the work of successful writers in your genre and compare your writing to theirs. Identify areas where you can improve and set goals to work on those areas.
    • Take a writing course: If you feel like you need more guidance in assessing your writing, consider taking a writing course. This can help you learn more about the craft of writing and provide you with feedback on your work.
    • Use online writing tools: There are many online tools available that can help you assess your writing, such as grammar and spelling checkers, readability calculators, and plagiarism checkers. These tools can help you identify common mistakes and improve the quality of your writing.
    • Practice self-reflection: Take some time to reflect on your writing process and identify what works for you and what doesn’t. Think about what motivates you to write, what challenges you face, and how you can overcome those challenges. Write down your reflections in a journal or notebook.
    • Keep a portfolio: Build a portfolio of your best writing pieces over time. This can include published work, writing samples, and drafts. Reviewing your portfolio periodically can help you track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
    • Seek out diverse feedback: When seeking feedback on your writing, try to get feedback from a variety of sources. This can include writers with different backgrounds and perspectives, as well as readers who are not writers. This can help you get a more well-rounded view of your writing and identify areas for improvement that you might not have considered before.

When assessing your writing, be positive and constructive. Focus on identifying areas for improvement and setting realistic goals to help you improve your skills over time. It’s an  ongoing process. Set aside time regularly to evaluate your writing, track your progress, and identify areas for improvement. Over time, this will help you become a stronger, more skilled writer.

Differences Between Goals for Fiction and Non-Fiction Writing

Research: Non-fiction writing often requires research, so one goal for non-fiction writers might be to set a deadline for completing research on a specific topic. Fiction writers may not need to research as extensively, so their goals may focus more on developing characters, plot, and setting.

Word count: Non-fiction writing may have specific word count requirements or guidelines, such as for an article or essay. Setting a goal to reach a specific word count can help non-fiction writers stay on track. Fiction writers may set word count goals as well, but they may be more flexible depending on the type of story they are writing.

Editing: Non-fiction writing often requires careful editing for clarity and accuracy. Setting a goal to review and revise drafts can be helpful for non-fiction writers. Fiction writers may also need to revise and edit their work, but their goals may focus more on developing the story, characters, and themes.

Voice and tone: Non-fiction writing often requires a specific voice and tone, depending on the topic and audience. Setting a goal to maintain consistency in voice and tone can be helpful for non-fiction writers. Fiction writers may also consider voice and tone, but their goals may focus more on creating a unique style and engaging the reader.

Purpose: Non-fiction writing is often written with a specific purpose in mind, such as to inform or persuade. Setting a goal to achieve the desired purpose can be helpful for non-fiction writers. Fiction writers may also have a purpose in mind, such as to entertain or explore a theme, and their goals may focus on achieving that purpose.

Tailor your goals to fit the type of writing you are working on, whether it is non-fiction or fiction.