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I imagine all writers need a kick on the butt from time to time–well, I can speak for myself at least, and I do. For the month of May, I’ve chosen to get some writing going by following K.T. Hanna’s #writemotivation campaign:

 “where you set goals for yourself and hold yourself accountable to them. You let us know what those goals are, and report during the month how you think you’re going with them. This helps hold yourself accountable.

The aim here isn’t to compete with each other – it’s to compete against ourselves (and that pesky inner-critic and procrastination demon that try to defeat us when we least want them to).”

The goals need to be realistic, so here’s what I put up:

1. Need to write 800 words a day on WIP, 5 days a week= 4000 words a week- I’ve done about 2700 this week– need to step up!
2. Post on my 2 blogs twice a week= 4 posts a week: I think, with this post, I met that goal this week.
3. Work on editing 2 short stories– 3000 words each. This one is tricky, haven’t done anything on this yet.

This is the first time I’ve set up writing goals, other than short story submission deadlines.

So dear fellow-writers, do you set writing goals? Does it work for you?
Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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23 Comments

  • notesinabook says:

    I tend to do blogging goals but my writing (non-blogging goals) always appear to take a back seat. Hopefully I'll get some #writemotivation soon. Visiting via my road trip. 🙂

  • if this is the first time you've set goals, you're doing pretty well. any progress is good! i find it helps when i set goals and then tell others about them so i have nowhere to hide. gotta keep myself honest. good luck with your may goals. you can do it!

  • Tia Bach says:

    2500 words a week is my goal, so your 2700 sounds amazing! Hope you have continued success in May! I love #writemotivation.

  • Stephanie says:

    You are doing great. You've set some serious goals. I feel like I'm loafing after reading what your are getting done. LOL

  • Use my Golden Rule for 1st Drafts:

    1 word = PROGRESSION
    Zero words = STAGNATION
    deleting words = REGRESSION

    So if you net one single word, you are making progress! Go you!

    And yes, we all need a kick in the pants from time to time 🙂

    Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
    http://writebackwards.we3dements.com

  • alisonstone says:

    Forward progress is good. I'm not as far along as I'd like, but I still have hopes of making it! We have time, right?

  • Betty Alark says:

    I had a goal to complete the A-Z Challenge and I did!

    I have to really think in advance about committing to anything. I know myself very well and I've learned from past experience not to commit unless I've really thought a thing through.

    Inner balance has to be incorporated into anything that, I do. I really don't function that well under pressure.

    I function better on a day-by-day bases. Pre-planning has it's pluses but I'm more of a spare of the moment person; I'm extremely organized; organization is a must for me other wise chaos shuts me down.

    I will plan certain things in advance however, i'll have to put it on my calendar or make a list.

    When it comes to writing it gets written down when it arrives in my mind. The muse provides and I write!

    Hope you will check out my new blog!

    http://betty-alark.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-type-of-character-are-youhanging.html

  • Rob and Lisa says:

    I make goals sometimes, but I get discouraged when I don't meet my goals, so I only make them when I know I will have enough time to finish the work 🙂 It might be cheating, but it feels good.

    Lisa
    http://livethemoment09.blogspot.com

  • Suze says:

    Sincere congratulations to you for finding something that seems to be working — here's to your continued success! 2700 out of goal 4000 word count is very good, I think.

  • Amberr says:

    Even if you are a bit behind, you are still doing admirably!

  • Al Penwasser says:

    I have a long-term goal: to finish the rough draft of my WIP by Christmas.
    But, I like your short-term goals as a way to help me get there.

  • Tonja says:

    I am struggling to find motivation too. I think I've got myself moving finally – 12 days lost, but whatever. I want to finish 10 chapters this month, which should complete the first draft of my WIP. One chapter down today. WooHoo!!! I totally agree that writing should never be a competition against each other.

  • Hurray for #writemotivation! I have goals, but life seems to be throwing me every hurdle it can this month (some good – like buying a house – and others bad >_<). I will accomplish SOMETHING, though! I am determined!

  • Lynn Proctor says:

    i have set up goals before–sometimes they work and sometimes i just let them go–nice goals you have!

  • Elizabeth says:

    I wish you all the best meeting your goals. You can do it!

  • I stopped with the writing goals. I'm in the mood to write so I let my fingers do the talking and at the end of the day I'm impressed by the word count.

  • I do, but it looks like they're hard to stick to when I'm drafting or editing. 🙂

  • Angela Brown says:

    Well hello my fellow #writemotivation-er. I've been participating in KT Hanna's #writemotivation since the beginning of the year and I must say it has been a HUGE benefit to me. Listing the goals has been helpful but using my blog to hold myself accountable has been great. I don't get to participate as often in the cheering that goes on with Twitter so I hope you get to. It's loads of encouragement.

  • I've recently started setting writing goals thanks to an idea w/ a friend. It's kinda nice when I met the goals I set. But I also try to be relaxed about it and if I don't meet some of the goals I set, I tell myself next month.

  • nutschell says:

    writing goals are a must for me. Btw, congrats! I just gave you an award. :)http://www.thewritingnut.com/ramblings/award-long-awaited-haircut/

    Happy weekend!
    Nutschell
    http://www.thewritingnut.com

  • K.T. Hanna says:

    I think you're kicking butt. Sometimes our worst critique and hardest competitor is ourselves. 2700 so far is fantastic. I know you can make it 😀

  • I did for NaNo 2010. Won't tell you how many hours it takes me to write 1667 words. But I do need to set writing goals for my next book.

  • Andrew says:

    You're doing great, Damyanti. 😀 It takes time to get into a high output mode. You'll get there. 😀