Monday, June 25, 2018

Reasonable Writing Goals and How to Stick to Them

For many of us, writing every day is a necessity, not just a goal.

But some days, our schedules don't allow any time to write. That's when we need to set goals--to make time! Here's my advice:
  • WHAT'S YOUR SETTING? - I can write just about anywhere: waiting rooms, baseball fields, the pool, or anywhere I can find a quiet corner. Whether you need silence or sound in the background - we all have a special setting that helps us produce the best writing. How about you?
  • WHAT'S YOUR TIME FRAME? - How much time do you need to feel like you've accomplished something? And is it reasonable to carve that much time into your schedule?
  • WHEN DOES YOUR BRAIN WORK BEST? - Are you a crafty night owl? Or an early bird setting a trap for that worm? Pick the best time you can manage to steal!
  • WHAT'S YOUR PRIORITY? - Do you have a deadline? Or can you freestyle? Sometimes, when we get that hallowed writing time, we spend half of it deciding what to work on. To save time, I jot down a list and revise it as I go, but sometimes I can write away and ignore it. It's your writing time, use it as you see fit!
  • DON'T WASTE IT! - Stay off social media! Unless you are specifically using your writing time to research, organize, advertise, or publicize, DO NOT SURF! Save that for your other down time. We have work to do!
Now put all your answers together and set aside some time for YOU to WRITE. Voila! A customized, doable goal. And don't worry how much or little writing you get done--just keep at it!

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And for this week's SHOUT OUT... The fantastic Fable Writer,


I have been friends with Angela forever! She's positively perky, she always tells it like it is, and she's an excellent source for all things YA - especially dystopian and urban fantasty. She's published NEVERLOVE and THEY ALL FALL DOWN of the Shadow Jumpers series, FRAILTIES OF THE BOND and ATONE of the NEO Chronicles, and Coming Soon: BEACON, published by Evernight Teen publishing.



Recently, she's completed Fable Ranger II, in her MG Fairy Tale mashup series. Great stuff to look forward to!

She's also a part of Untethered Realms - a supernatural compilation of anthologies by a stunning group of authors - check it out on Goodreads.


Hope you have a great week!

And don't forget to enter my fun summer GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

11 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Angela is awesome! And cool she just finished writing another book.
I need privacy for writing, so no public places. And I need at least an hour or two to get anything done.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I usually have a loose plan for what I want to work on - a scene, a story idea, etc - during my next writing session, so I'm able to sit down and get going. I do leave room for inspiration to strike, though. :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I can write anytime and almost anywhere since I write in a notebook first. It's just that my to-do list with DLP stuff is never ending and there's always something I feel I should be working on instead.

Carrie-Anne said...

I'm such a night owl writer. It's been that way for a long time. Nowadays, though, I find I do my best work in a library, coffee shop, etc., where there are less distractions.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Tara - yes I can really write anytime ... just need to be a bit more organised - perhaps dictate at times. Angela certainly seems to be full of bounce, as well as being an excellent advisor - good for her with her 2nd fable book - cheers Hilary

cleemckenzie said...

Great news from Angela! Congratulations on her book.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Congrats to Angela and her success.
I'm a night writer and use any daylight time I have to take care of social media stuff. I like writing in my private office.

Juneta key said...

Congrats Angela! I need privacy to write. I can write outside as long as I am alone but cafe's and public places with activity distract me. I tend to people watch instead of write.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Angela!

What's funny is I notice on the weekends when hubby is home I'm more likely to slack off. I can write around him, but I dunno, I guess my brain has just decided weekends are time to relax. LOL

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Congrats Angela. This is good writing advice, Tara. If you need to write you have to find the time!

Unknown said...

I love to read the fairy tale and here I found an exciting story that blows my mind and soul. So I had decided to get eBooks Download online and read the rest of the story.

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