Setting Goals - Be Realistic
I've finally started thinking about my writing goals for 2013. Some of them remain the same, like finding an agent (something I've been working toward for awhile). But that's a big goal, with lots of little steps in front of it; it's also something I don't want to rush into. I actually see getting an agent as more of an ultimate goal which can't be achieved without building a solid foundation first, so it will remain on my "goals" list until it happens (with a lot of hard work and writing).
Most people set huge goals without thinking about how they're going to get there. Me? I set little goals I know I can achieve that propel me toward the bigger ones. Like the agent goal... I can't get an agent if I don't write something to pitch to them. I can't pitch something to them if I don't write. The book won't be written if I don't write on a regular basis. So...what should the first goal be? Writing either so much per day or per week.
You know your schedule, so you know if it would be more "realistic" for you to set yourself a time allowance per day, a word count goal per day/week, etc. The point is to set goals you know you can reach.
The "realistic" side of goal setting is very important. If you set your goal too big and have to do all the small stuff to get there, it seems like you're never making progress. When it doesn't feel like you're moving forward you get discouraged and quit. We don't want to quit on our goals that will lead us to our dreams, do we? NO! So, break down those big goals into manageable portions and celebrate when we hit every single one!
Some of the goals I've set in the past have been as varied as submitting so many stories per year, to actually doing blog posts (blog posts was my goal in 2012, and it paid off). This year, alongside my writing goals, I'm thinking of adding in Tweeting regularly. I've got a good handle on Facebook, and I'm now building my blog readership/following, so Twitter is my weakest social media link at this time. I figure I might as well put some time and effort into understanding it. After all, having a good following and platform will increase my chances of an agent in the future. 
In 2012, I also wanted to shift my attention from short stories to novels and other longer works. I managed to publish my novel, Nurse Blood, by the end of the year, so that was kinda meeting my goal there. Close enough to make me happy anyhow. I started working a part time job and wasn't able to write as much as I would have liked, so one novel was an accomplishment. I at least got it done and out into the world! SCORE!
Even so, just because I knew I needed to keep moving forward, I did write a few short stories and sent them out into the world. I had luck with a couple and am waiting to hear back from others. The main thing? I kept writing. Even though I wasn't getting the time for the larger projects I wanted to work on, I still wrote.
With all that in mind, here are my goals for 2013:
1) Start my own press.
2) Write at LEAST one short story or poem once a month.
3) Complete at LEAST one novel.
4) Tweet more and learn more about Twitter.
5) Keep working toward building a following and snagging an agent.
They may not seem like grand goals, but they will be manageable and I will be able to celebrate at least once a month that I'm keeping on track. I'm going to let my own momentum propel me forward.
Copyrights owned by Rebecca Besser, 2013. All rights reserved.
