For many writers, the road to completing a project can be overwhelming, especially when staring at a blank page.
One of the most effective ways to tackle a writing project—or any project in your life—is by setting clear and achievable goals. Whether you’re starting a new draft, revising an old one, or aiming to establish a regular writing routine, goals provide a sense of direction and purpose. They break down the daunting task of writing a book into smaller, more manageable steps that you can celebrate along the way. Setting realistic and specific goals not only keeps you motivated but also helps track progress, making the process more enjoyable and productive.
For writers especially, goals serve as a roadmap through the creative process. They provide structure and a clear sense of what you are working toward, which in turn helps you stay focused and productive. When your objectives are clear, each writing session has purpose and meaning. You can manage your time more effectively and accomplish what matters most in your writing journey.
Setting writing goals can:
sharpen your focus;
motivate you; and
track your progress.
No matter where you are in your writing journey, setting intentional goals provides the momentum you need to reach the finish line.
The Benefits of SMART Goals for Writers
The SMART framework is a popular tool for setting effective goals of any kind, and it applies perfectly to writing goals.
Each letter in the acronym SMART will help you develop your writing goals. Let’s take a closer look at how you can apply this framework as a writer:
Specific: Clearly define your goals. Vague goals like “write more” or “finish my book” won’t give you any direction. To create a specific goal, be as detailed as possible about what you want to achieve. Instead of “write more,” try “I will write 500 words a day.” Instead of “finish my book,” try “complete five chapters by the end of the month.”
Measurable: Make sure you can track your goal’s progress and celebrate each achievement. Mini daily and weekly goals will motivate you to stay on course and provide tangible evidence of your efforts. Example: “I will complete a rough draft of Chapter 3 by the end of the week” or “I will write for one hour each day.”
Achievable: Be realistic with your goals. While it’s great to dream big, goals that are too ambitious can lead to frustration and burnout. Know your limits; consider your current circumstances, availability, and energy levels. If your schedule is packed, aiming to write 500 words a day might be more attainable than trying to write 2,000.
Relevant: Your goals should align with your larger writing ambitions and personal priorities. If your ultimate goal is to finish your novel, setting smaller goals that push you toward that outcome will keep you focused and contribute to your overall objective. Example: “I will finish the next scene today” or “I will flesh out my characters this weekend.”
Time-bound: Set deadlines for your goals. Without one, your goals can drag on indefinitely. Choose a deadline that adds urgency and keeps you accountable without giving you burnout. Example: “I will finish the first draft of my novel by October 31” or “I will create my self-editing plan by December 31.”
Setting Long-Term vs. Short-Term Writing Goals
Let’s look at two categories of goals: long-term and short-term. Both are essential for progress but serve different purposes.
Long-term goals are big-picture objectives. Think writing a complete novel or submitting work for publication. Long-term goals give you something substantial to work toward, but they can feel overwhelming without smaller steps.
Short-term goals are the stepping stones that lead to your long-term goals. If your long-term goal is to write a 50,000-word novel in one month, your short-term goal might be to write 1,600 words per day. These bite-sized goals are more manageable and give you frequent wins to celebrate. (And we should be celebrating all our small wins!)
TIP: Break your long-term goal into daily or weekly targets. Instead of “I want to write a novel,” break it down: “I will write 500 words per day for the next 10 days.” This approach prevents you from feeling overwhelmed and keeps momentum going.
Creating Accountability in Your Writing Journey
Accountability is one of the best ways to stay on track. With accountability, writing evolves from a solitary act into something more collaborative, providing you with support and encouragement along your writing journey.
Here are a few ways you can create accountability in your writing process:
Writing Partners: Find a writing buddy or accountability partner who can check in with you regularly. Join your local writing group. Share your goals with other writers and ask for updates on theirs.
Public Declarations: Declare your writing goals publicly, whether on social media, in a writing group, or on your personal blog. This external pressure can push you to follow through since others are aware of your goal—and therefore aware of your progress or lack thereof.
Progress Trackers: Use goal-setting apps, bullet journals, or spreadsheets and worksheets to track your daily, weekly, and/or monthly progress. Watching your progress grow over time can be a powerful motivator to keep going.
TIP: Check if your local library hosts a writing group.
BONUS TIP: Sign up for the Prose in Progress newsletter to download customizable tracker and writing goal worksheets.
Writing Routines, Rituals, and Habits
Routines, habits, and rituals all work together to help writers stay productive and focused, but what exactly are they?
A routine is a set of actions you follow regularly, often at specific times. For writers, a routine could mean setting aside a certain time each day to write. Routines provide structure, allowing you to build consistency and make writing a non-negotiable part of your daily life. The key to a routine is its predictability. It will help you create a regular writing habit by carving out dedicated time and space for it.
A habit is an automatic behavior you repeat consistently, often without thinking about it. When a writing routine becomes second nature, it turns into a habit. Habits are beneficial for writers because they remove decision fatigue. Once you’ve established a habit, you don’t have to expend mental energy deciding when or how to write. Habits take time to form—scientifically speaking, a minimum of 21 days and an average of 66 days—but once they do, they help you build momentum and stick to your writing goals even on days when motivation may be lacking.
A ritual is a collection of small, meaningful actions that help you transition into a focused writing mindset. Unlike the task-oriented natures of routines and habits, rituals have a deeper psychological purpose. They can help you set the tone for creativity, relax, and get into the flow of writing. A ritual might involve lighting a candle, playing a specific song, or making a cup of coffee before sitting down to write. The act of performing these small steps becomes a signal to your brain that it’s time to write.
Routines, habits, and rituals all serve as powerful tools for writers to stay productive and focused. But while they can create a sense of control over the writing process, it’s important to recognize that not everything will always go according to plan.
Inspiration and creativity can be unpredictable. Some days, ideas will pour out effortlessly. Other days, writing can feel like pulling teeth. This does not mean you are failing as a writer—it’s a natural part of the creative process. The key is to keep writing, even when the ideas aren’t flowing as easily. Trust that your creativity will return. Trust in your routines and rituals. (And don’t forget to set goals and establish a routine to help you keep moving forward!)
“Everyone will tell you that if you don’t write every day you don’t really want to be a writer, or that you need to write a certain amount of words each time you write, or you need to do this or to do that. But what people don’t realise is that every single person in the world is unique, and that includes the way they write. Don’t let other people make you feel bad because you’re not reaching THEIR writing expectations. It may take a while, but figure out what type of routine or schedule works best for you and stick to that. Focus on reaching and exceeding your own goals, not anyone else’s." - Chantelle of C. M. Koch Editing, writer and editor
A successful writing process isn’t just about inspiration—it’s about building consistency and structure. Developing a personalized writing routine, along with supportive habits and rituals, can help you maintain momentum and progress toward your writing goals.
Start small. If you’re just getting into the habit of writing regularly, set realistic goals and expectations for yourself.
Build consistency. Try sitting down at your desk, or wherever you write, at the same time each day.
Consider habit stacking: add your writing habit to an existing routine. If you always have coffee in the morning, make it a habit to write for 10 minutes while drinking it.
Think of what brings you joy, and brainstorm how you can turn that into your writing ritual.
Interested in a resource to help you establish your writing routines, habits, and rituals? Subscribe to the Prose in Progress newsletter for a downloadable workbook!
Looking for more inspiration? Check out these authors’ writing routines (but please remember that this is what works for them and may not necessarily work for you):
In an interview with George R.R. Martin at the Kiva Auditorum in June 2016, Stephen King stated: “The way that I work, I try to get out there and I try to get six pages a day. So, with a book like End of Watch, and … when I’m working I work every day—three, four hours, and I try to get those six pages, and I try to get them fairly clean. So if the manuscript is, let’s say, 360 pages long, that’s basically two months’ work. … But that’s assuming it goes well.”
Toni Morrison on her habit of writing before dawn: “Writing before dawn began as a necessity—I had small children when I first began to write and I needed to use the time before they said, Mama—and that was always around five in the morning. … Work and the children had driven all of my habits. … eventually I realized that I was clearer-headed, more confident and generally more intelligent in the morning. The habit of getting up early, which I had formed when the children were young, now became my choice.”
Haruki Murakami in his article for The New Yorker: “I got up before 5 A.M. and went to bed before 10 P.M. Different people are at their best at different times of day, but I’m definitely a morning person. That’s when I can focus.”
Setting achievable writing goals is essential for keeping your writing on track, building momentum, and eventually completing your projects. By focusing on specific, measurable goals, creating accountability, and establishing a routine, you'll be well on your way to turning your writing dreams into reality.
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How do you set and achieve your writing goals? Share your tips in the comments or join the conversation on social media using #ProseInProgress.
With care and creativity,
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