A goal without a plan is just a wish. — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry‍

What’s Your Goal?

What’s your big-picture writing goal? If you’re hoping to finish a project and/or get it published, do you have a plan to make that happen? Many of us have heard of S.M.A.R.T. goals, or goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, but many of us forget to apply this principle to our creative lives. But this very dry-seeming “business-lingo” idea is useful for writers, too.

Get SMART

Each street and building required a plan, and that plan had to be broken down into action steps.

They say that Rome wasn’t built in a day. It also wasn’t built by randomly stacking rocks on top of each other. Each street and building required a plan, and that plan had to be broken down into action steps.

But—What’s The Best Plan?

But what’s the best plan for achieving your goal? Well, that depends on you. Everyone’s process is different. Some people like to begin by filling paper notebooks with details about their characters. Some people like to outline on a computer. What kind of writer are you? If you aren’t sure what the best process for you looks like, I’ve made a self-evaluation tool just for you! It’s attached as a free download. Use it to figure out or refine your best writing process, and watch yourself make progress toward your goal.

Essential Steps Toward Your Story (PDF)

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