So, on Friday, while in the shower (of course!), it occurred to me that part of the reason I haven't written anything new in so long is because I didn't have any kind of definite plan or schedule to make sure I got it done, so, naturally, if it's something I don't absolutly have to do, I don't. And the vicious cycle continues, until I feel like a mess and a big fat failure. So! To remedy that, I decided that I need to tackle writing like I tackle school: Create a schedule. And so, behold, my new writing schedule (aka battle plan):Daily Goal: 200 words/day/30 mins./M-F
Daily Rewards if Daily Goal is Met: (T.V., chocolate)
Weekly Goal: 1,000 words/week
Weekly Rewards if Weekly Goal is Met: (Buying a book on Kindle, etc.)
Weekly Check-In with Critique Group and Blog: Every Friday
Overall Goal: 50,000 words (aka A completed first draft! :))
Rewards if Overall Goal is Met: (Dance party, cake, a celebratory toast with favorite drink)
Daily Rewards if Daily Goal is Met: (T.V., chocolate)
Weekly Goal: 1,000 words/week
Weekly Rewards if Weekly Goal is Met: (Buying a book on Kindle, etc.)
Weekly Check-In with Critique Group and Blog: Every Friday
Overall Goal: 50,000 words (aka A completed first draft! :))
Rewards if Overall Goal is Met: (Dance party, cake, a celebratory toast with favorite drink)
So, what do you think? I'd say that's a pretty doable schedule but I hesitate to add in any specific times of the day I'll get things done or a definite deadline though, since I know life usually always winds up getting in the way, plus, deadlines make me squirm and add pressure to something that I'm desperately trying to make fun again. Thoughts? Should I have specific times that I do things and should I have a concrete deadline? Also, any ideas on what else I could give myself as a reward for when I meet any of my goals? (I actually had a hard time coming up with some good ones! The ones mentioned above in parentheses are really just examples until I can think of something better to give myself, lol!) And finally, is there anything else you think I should add to the schedule?
Now, it's your turn: do you have a writing plan/schedule that you follow? I'd love to see it if you do!
~Ella
3 comments:
I think you messed up on some calculations :x If you do 1k/week, it'll take 50 weeks for you to finish 50k, so that's a little under a year, not 50 days ;)
BUT, it's fantastic that you're setting goals for yourself. It's kind of the concept behind NaNoWriMo. I try to set goals like this for myself, too. I think it helps to keep yourself responsible for your progress. I never could come up with good rewards either, though. Always liked to think words on the page were reward enough haha
Haha! Wow, THAT was embarrasing! Thanks for the heads up about my screwed up calculations! I just edited the post and took that part right out of there, just to be safe! :P And thanks, I'm glad you like my goals, now I just have to find a way to stay motivated so I can reach them all!
~Ella
Those are great goals. I used to set goals like this, but I ended up putting way too much pressure on myself and berating myself if I didn't meet my goals. So, I just stopped. And I usually produce much more work without them.
It's interesting to see how writers differ with this, I know a lot of writers who set goals like this, but it just didn't work for me. Good luck to you!
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