This weekend I'm setting a goal for myself. Between Friday night and Sunday morning, I plan on adding 3,000 words to my WIP.
More importantly, I want to make some real progress when it comes to the plot. I have a couple of different storylines going, and moving forward with both of them would make me a happier writer. (The rest of the world might hope I never finish it. I get that. ;)
Last Friday I wrote at a local coffeehouse. For a little longer than 3 hours I wrote. I set a word count goal, and wouldn't leave until I'd accomplished it. (Thankfully, I got there--to my word-count goal-- a whole 10 minutes before they closed for the afternoon.)
Are goals good things or horrid things--things that you avoid? Sometimes we set goals for ourselves and then beat ourselves up when we don't attain them. Sometimes those unattained goals haunt us. Doesn't that set us back even further?
And if you have some tricks when it comes to goals, let us know. Procrastinating minds want to know...
My goals are still lingering in the back of my head. SO, SO happy for you that you are moving forward. I am trying to absorb some of your will power!
ReplyDeleteClaudia--Well, let's hope I get more writing done tonight, since I did little last night...
DeleteWay to go! Don't stop now.
ReplyDeleteLinda--That's not what you said after you read my first draft (ha!).
DeleteLinda--That's not what you said after you read my first draft (ha!).
DeleteI have to dive right in immediately, and check off portions of that goal so I feel like I'm making progress. Otherwise, the neglected goal grows a long white Rumplestiltskin beard and might as well snooze until I get good and ready.
ReplyDeleteIn the event that Rumplestiltskin was clean-shaven, my goal indulges itself with a Rip Van Winkle beard. Even though his name isn't as much fun to say.
DeleteThere's a Mark Twain nominee book this year called "Rump" which is about Rumplestiltskin... It's an entertaining read.
DeleteIt's wonderful to feel that you're in the groove, moving toward achieving a goal. Maybe the good mojo will rub off on the rest of us!
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Pat--The mojo is not always good. Sometimes it's pretty rancid.
DeleteWish I had tips. I don't. That is why I have a WIW (work in waiting). It sits, as do I. Just the other day I saw a great poster at school that said, "A goal without a plan is just a wish." Good for you for putting that plan into action. Lots of action, from the sound of it!
ReplyDeleteTammy--But your WIW is beyond brilliant. When it gets tired of sitting and gets anxious to get finished, it will blow everyone away.
DeleteHave you seen the meme: Procrastinators of the world unite . . . tomorrow. :)
ReplyDeleteI am a procrastinator of the highest order. Goals help to keep me in line. If I don't have a goal with a deadline, whatever it is might never get done. I don't always meet my goals, but as Scarlett said, "Tomorrow's another day." I'd rather readjust a goal's deadline than toss it out the window altogether. Also, I'm more productive when I'm working toward something with an end game in mind.
Good luck with your goals. You can do it!
Lisa--I hope you are not trying to topple me from my tower of superiority... because I AM the reigning Queen of Procrastination.
DeleteIf you ARE trying to lead a coup, I'm going to do something drastic... later.
Every night before I go to bed, I make my list of goals for the next day...but writing is my work, after all. The trick is to treat your writing like a job (albeit a part-time one).
ReplyDelete'Course, it always helps when you love your job. ;-)
Cathy--I am sooo jealous of you and Lisa, since writing is your full-time job. However, I lack the motivation to prod myself hourly and daily, so perhaps it's best that it's only a part-time thing for me.
DeleteCongratulations on being so disciplined. One of my favorite quotes about goals is that "Goals are dreams with deadlines." I have to admit to being more of a dreamer. But in 2016 I'm determined to get more focused and stick to my goals.
ReplyDeleteDonna--You nudged me into doing something several years ago. (You prodded me into submitting something.) I know you're working on a novel (or two?) if I'm not mistaken. How can I prod YOU?
DeleteDonna--You nudged me into doing something several years ago. (You prodded me into submitting something.) I know you're working on a novel (or two?) if I'm not mistaken. How can I prod YOU?
DeleteDonna--You nudged me into doing something several years ago. If I'm not mistaken, you have at least one novel you're working on. How can I prod YOU ?
ReplyDelete