Do you set writing weekly writing goals?

United States
August 24, 2009 12:27pm CST
What type of writing goals do you set for yourself? Are they tied to a specific time--a week, a month, this year? Is this an effective way to make you write or just a waste of time?
5 people like this
21 responses
24 Aug 09
At the start of each month I set a monthly goal as to the number of articles/reviews I want to write for that month, based on a percentage of my target for the year. Generally this consists of a couple more than I actually plan to use immediately so I have a back up supply of articles for when the dreaded writers block hits. I also set a target of a minimum of 700 words for each piece I write as this is the optimum length for the type of things I write about. But the thing I notice is that sometimes I will hit my goals, often surpassing them whilst others I may fall a little short. I try not to beat myself up over it as they are only goals and a lot of writing, especially good content, can only be done when you are in the zone.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
24 Aug 09
Scattered is the word that describes me the best. I have a job that demands a lot, and I like it, but would love the freedom to set my own schedules. I only see that coming if I make a living from home. My best choice is to write. I guess that should be my motivator to set goals.
2 people like this
• United States
24 Aug 09
Having some back-up articles...now that's a foreign concept to me. LOL What a great idea...and how organized you are! I think that I may need to change my focus from weekly goals to monthly goals and really focus in on one thing at a time. I tend to be a bit scattered, which doesn't always help my writing. Then I do have my waves of furious writing activity and big slowdowns. A month gives a little more time to work the kinks out than a week,which is how I've been trying to organize this. Thanks for sharing your goals with me!
2 people like this
• United States
24 Aug 09
I try to set various writing goals. I am currently working on my personal 30 hubs in 30 Days challenge on HubPages. So far, I am at 12 in 12 days, although some days I write none and others I write 2. I also set goals of how many blogs posts I want to do on each of my blogs each month. I also set daily goals/tasks to achieve my monthly goals, but I have never done weekly.
• United States
25 Aug 09
That's great, video games are so popular. Between that and TV, you no doubt do very well!
• United States
25 Aug 09
Is that like Squidoo, where a hub is a lens? Each on a different topic? I'd be so impressed if you can create 30 of those in 30 days. That's a lot of work! I'd have a hard time just thinking up the 30 categories! What sorts of topics do you write about?
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Aug 09
I think it is similar to Squidoo, but I have never used that site. I mostly write about kids tv shows and tv on dvd. I also do some on video games.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Aug 09
I set a goal of 500 words a day (excluding Sunday and writing at myLot does not count)and I find that easier then saying I am going to write so many articles or stories a a week, month, etc. I also am busy taking care of an invalid husband who resents my getting on the computer now and wants me to be in the same room as he is constantly. Setting a goal, no matter how small, is an effective way of getting your writing done. I also plan to write one article for Hub every week, but since I cannot surf for traffic that much to get others to look at it, I doubt that it will do much good.
• United States
25 Aug 09
You have got a lot on your plate! Do you like Hub Pages? I don't write for them, so I don't know much about that site. With AC, you have to read a lot to get others to read your stuff (and earn page views), which can be time consuming. It seems like you don't have that much spare time. All you can do is do what you can. Good luck with your writing!
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
31 Aug 09
I do not like writing for Hub that much as I am not that much into article writing. I would rather keep writing my novel, and write for myLot just to find out things, and ask things, although I do love making money. But I need the money and unfortuanately i do not get paid for the article only the page view because I am Canadian for the Hub and Associated Content and I quit writing for the later because of that.
@mrtimharry (1180)
24 Aug 09
Do the majority of my writing on Helium, and amke goals to keep myself motivated. The first goal I have is to write sixty articles a month. The second is to earn $200 per month, with regular increases each month on top of this. Have a whoel speradsheet for the next twelve months with targets on article, amount to earn and average revenue, just to make sure I write to relatively high earning channels. I tried doing daily and weekly targets but found that if I was bored of writing one day then it was pointless as would just fail to meet the goals, whilst giving monthly goals are achieveable and also doesn't mean writing becomes a chore.
3 people like this
• United States
24 Aug 09
Great response. I have been trying to do it weekly, but the consensus (so far) is that monthly works best. Your goal is a lot more aggressive than mine (I usually aim for 5 articles a week for Helium, but I am also trying to get to 300...the magic number). I probably need to step up my writing production. Your financial goal is impressive, and I guess if I wrote more, mine would be better as well. Do you write for Associated Content as well? One of the things that I get sidetracked with is jumping back and forth between AC and Helium. I feel like I should focus on one, and I might do better. Thanks for sharing your goals with me!
1 person likes this
25 Aug 09
Don't write for AC as I believe that I am not liable to get upfront payment as live in the UK, and for page views alone it just seems a better idea to spend my time writing for Helium.
2 people like this
• United States
24 Aug 09
I want to start doing this as i think it would really help me and keep me motivated. I am trying to do a new thing since i just graduated out of college on Friday and still am unemployed. I told myself the first week i graduate i will devote my time to earn the payout here on mylot and to try and write more articles on Helium and Associated Content to earn a few extra money so my income can increase a little to do more things and do pay more bills. I want do do a lot more writing now that i have more time to devote to writing articles on these sites and also here on mylot i can do a lot more now that i am out of college. Hopefully i can keep it going and devote my time online to writing.
• United States
24 Aug 09
I think it's great that you are trying to keep busy writing while you look for a job. And the extra income can't hurt either. There is a lot of opportunity out there if you are disciplined and like to write. With your recent experience doing research for school, you shouldn't have any problems. Finding the time will probably be your biggest challenge. At your age, there are so many fun things going on and friends around! Good luck with your writing!
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
24 Aug 09
I don't set goals as such, but I do try to write something each day, even if it's only a few posts here on Mylot. I keep notepads and pencils everywhere, so that I can jot down ideas whenever they come, and I often find my responses here give me ideas for articles. Most of my general writing goes on Helium, although I do host 2 websites about life in Spain and Spanish food. I don't beat myself up about it if I go for a few days without producing anything, though. I think if you try to be too structured in your writing, you run the risk of losing the enjoyment of it, and this comes through in your work.
3 people like this
• United States
25 Aug 09
I do most of my writing on Helium as well, although I also write for Associated Content and Gather. And I do book reviews. And I have a blog. It's hard to keep up with the blog most of all. I didn't do anything for about a month, but now I am back trying to post on it daily if I can. Mine is on books and publishing. Your blogs sound so interesting...do you post to them daily? I know I need to focus on Helium because I am trying to get to 300 articles to get the next star. I have 250+ so I am within striking distance, but most of the articles I write there require research, so that takes time as well. How do you balance writing your blogs and Helium? Do you have a set schedule?
1 person likes this
• Spain
25 Aug 09
I dont post daily on my blogs - just when I have something interesting to put up, although I did make daily posts to build up. The articles on life in Spain are a mixture of facts and personal experience rather than an online journal, and the food ones I do when I come across interesting food facts or recipes. I don't have a writing schedule as such, but I do write something every day. One day it may be just a few posts here, and another day it could be 2 or 3 500 - 700 word articles. I'm medically retired, so I'm lucky that I don't have to juggle my writing around work commitments.
2 people like this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
24 Aug 09
I set monthly goals. Since I work in several different places, I'm never sure how much time or mental energy I will have to devote to writing, so a monthly goal of a certain number of articles gives me enough freedom to meet it. I don't know about you, but I need goals or I find too many other things to do at times.
3 people like this
• United States
24 Aug 09
Oh, I need goals, but so far they don't seem to be doing their job (or should I say completely?). I've been trying to set them for the week, but I write to Associated Content, Helium, book reviews, and on Gather, as well as stopping in over here at MyLot to see what's up. I think I jump around too much and maybe should consider just focusing on one thing or having it sorted out by time periods (one week of the month doing this, another doing that...or days of the week). Anyway, you see I am a bit mixed up and just trying to figure out a more fruitful system. Thanks for sharing your goals and style with me!
1 person likes this
@rmuxagirl (7548)
• United States
24 Aug 09
I don't set myself too much writing goals, though I am starting to think I should set myself more goals. I maybe able to get more done if I set myself more goals. I keep a notebook in my purse so when I think of lines I write them down to use later.
• United States
25 Aug 09
You could do an experiment and see if it makes a difference in your writing to set a goal. I always make lists, but I don't always do what's on them. LOL
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
24 Aug 09
I am afraid I do not, and that is why I am not effective in my writing. I have small goals for MyLot. I also take a lot of freelance stuff. I need to write something for each site I am a member of, either weekly or monthly. At least some time frame. I need to set learning goals as well. Learning how to use sites. Learning how to sell on E Bay.Learning how to blog.
• United States
25 Aug 09
You sound like me. There are so many places to write and so many more sites to learn about. And just not enough hours in the day!
1 person likes this
@cwilson26 (2735)
• United States
24 Aug 09
I write down all of my article ideas and how many I want to do for the week in a notebook. This helps keep me motivated, especially as I check them off when I do them. I think it is a great way to keep myself going with my writing. :)
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Aug 09
That is a great idea. One of the things that I drive myself crazy with is jumping from topic to topic. I've got a lot of ideas, but sometimes they never see the light of day. Having them all in one place would be a big help.
1 person likes this
@cwilson26 (2735)
• United States
25 Aug 09
It is a big help. It gives me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when I cross things off my list. :)
1 person likes this
@Anne18 (11029)
30 Oct 11
AnythngArt............. thats what I suffer from most having too many writing things going on and also drive myself crazy jumping from topic to topic
@TravisE (440)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I leave my house, find some spot for me and my laptop and write for 30 minutes solid, everyday. That might not sound like much, but it does get words down and often leads to longer (or MUCH longer) sessions.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Aug 09
My question is how do you make yourself write when you are not in the mood? Obviously, you have got a system that works for you, but there are days when I just don't feel like writing. What then?
@TravisE (440)
• United States
28 Aug 09
Write anyways. This is not about mood, it's about commitment. If you are feeling crappy then just rant in your journal for a bit. Write goofy poems. Just write. You will likely end up getting some work done on your project. If you don't, there is always the next session, which you will feel better going into if you have written as you committed to the time before.
1 person likes this
@TravisE (440)
• United States
31 Aug 09
A little change can be a good thing. But, when talking about restructuring habits I always advise caution and a slow, experimental, pace. I resent heavy structure to my time when it comes to writing, which is funny because in the majority of the rest of my life I am a schedule-a-holic. But, whenever I try to stick to a schedule for writing I resent it. Then, when I do actually end up writing for the day I feel great about having kept up the writing, but angry for having missed my schedule. Very schizophrenic and self-defeating. So, when it comes to my schedule for writing it's just "30 minutes a day." Those 30 minutes may show up anywhere. Without having a declared time for the writing I just get to end my day with the pleasant feeling of accomplishment with none of the self directed anger from having missed my scheduled time.
@smithid (122)
• Nigeria
25 Aug 09
To write well and be precise, there has to be interest and motivation. It is all right to set a target but what if that day or the period happens to be a bad one for you. I write based on inspiration and sometimes researcches on the subjet matter. This will keep you fluid and better adapted to your write ups.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Aug 09
I think you are right, which is why the weekly goals can be so tough. I think to really set goals, using a longer time period (that can take into account the ups and downs of motivation) like a month may suit me better. In the end, no matter how great your goal is, if you don't sit down and write, then the goal is pointless.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
31 Aug 09
At the moment I find it difficult to set any type of writing goal because my computer is out of commission :-( I had wanted to get to 100 helium articles by the end of this month but I as only able to reach 85. This situation with the computer is driving me nuts!
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Aug 09
Sorry to hear that about your computer. That really puts a crimp in your plans. It's hard to make your goals work when your equipment doesn't cooperate. You're online now...did you get it fixed, or is it an on-again, off-again sort of problem? Good luck. I love and hate computers at the same time. When they don't cooperate, it's the worst. I am way too dependent on my computer!
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
16 Sep 09
I finally gave up and called HP and they are fed ex-ing me a a recovery disc. It is supposed to be here no later than Friday and hopefully I can get back to work with writing 2-3 articles a day. If I can do it at least 5 days a week that would give me 60 articles a month. I don't know about you but when I get going and get into a writing groove, so to speak, I find it easier to keep writing even though I have to give my brain a break every so often. (Right now I'm finding that crochet helps.) My ultimate goal is to get 300 helium articles but I am still 1 shy of 100, LOL. I want to get helium earning really well each month in page views whether I am actively posting or not and then develop my AC portfolio. If I can get a significant amount of of articles posted by the end of the year that would be great, but I am also preparing for upcoming art markets and holiday shows for November and December.
• United States
26 Aug 09
I tried setting a goal once. It didn't seem to work for me. I almost think that I should perhaps try again though as I'm not writing nearly as much as I would like to. Not to mention it was years ago when I had a go at setting writing goals. Hmmm... now you've really got me thinking about it. I've been telling myself a lot recently that I need to just sit down and write even if what I'm writing is complete gibberish. The desire is there, just not the motivation I suppose. I think I might try that.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Aug 09
I always set goals, but rarely achieve them. This made me wonder if other people do the same...or just what kind of goals they set. It seems like most people operate by the month, and I do mine by the week. So I might try and adjust the way I am looking at things. I'd be curious to know if you decide to set them, then see if it actually improves your writing or the amount of writing you do. Good luck, and keep me posted!
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
30 Jul 11
I usually set weekly goals, but I don't always succeed with them. I think that I need to set monthly goals that are more attainable. I also need to rethink how I write as I spend time jumping back and forth too and then I don't seem to get much done. I think that I am going to start doing one site one day and another another day. Maybe, it will work better for me to get a little work done in each site if I am there a little longer each day. good luck in your goals and I hope that you have had great success here in the 2 years since this discussion was originally posted.
• United States
25 Aug 09
I do set some goals for myself each week. I maintain a web site and a ministry. Each week I send out an article and updates on different things going on. My writing goal is to get the printed version that I send out by snail mail completed and mailed by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. Then the email newsletter I complete and schedule to go out early Thursday mornings. I have to kind of stay a week ahead to meet the goals. So I at least write the one article a week and that sort of keeps those writing juices flowing so I can wor on other projects as well!
• United States
28 Aug 09
Sounds like you run a tight ship. I am not sure I could be so organized, but when other people are counting on you, I guess you don't want to let them down.
@wlyatshu (18)
• China
25 Aug 09
Yes i have set the same goal as you do,but i foud i can hardly continue do this thng. Because lack of motivation,i quickly give up. And I realize that once you want to start a long term project,the very thing you should do is to ask why you gonna do this,after answer this , i think we will have a clea goal ,and under the guide of that gaol, no difficult thing can crash you!
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Aug 09
Even when you have goals and the best intentions, it can still be hard to follow through sometimes. Writing is one of those things that I am either in the mood for or not. When I don't feel like writing, it seems like torture; if I am in the mood to do it, I can write for hours. I call it "in the zone." The problem is I just never know when the urge will strike!
@JDBentz (37)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I write both novels and scripts with Microsoft Word. The best time I find for my own writing pursuits are either during the day when no one's home or needing my help, or during the night-time. I don't have a job currently, so I'm able to work through the night. Depending on the level of activity in my creation center, I can do anything from a chapter or a few pages of a script to nearly completing a script. The night-time is the best time for me, mainly because at that point I know I won't be interrupted in anyway. It also helps because when I am writing particularly difficult scenes, it can make me very irritable and high-strung. THis is not a good combination, as one of the people I live with is very work-oriented in terms of physical labor, so seeing a guy who works on a computer most of the time is not the best thing. In essence, my best work comes at night, but sometimes I need to be working during the day, especially since I can't just take my computer everywhere I go.
• United States
28 Aug 09
I am a late night owl myself, so I can relate this this. There's nothing that drives me crazier than trying to do some serious writing on the computer and then having someone come over and try and talk to me. It ends up being bad for me AND the other person. Better to work away while everyone else sleeps. Good luck with your writing!
• United States
30 Jul 11
I have set myself goals and I have met them. I am 1/3 of the way though to my money goal but I am going to keep working hard to try to get to my money goal. it is possible but I need to do a lot more work. Keep trying.
@francesca5 (1344)
30 Jul 11
I think goals are a good idea, i never used to set them, and was far less effective then than i am now. though goal setting is complicated, as i find that if i set myself a too hard to achieve short term goal i don't have enough time or energy to work on my more long term goals. so i find i need to be careful on that. but i do think goal setting is a good idea.