Writing long hours isn’t for everyone.
Many of us work on projects that encompass much more than just writing. There’s research. Revision. Distraction…
When you write a long project, it can help to set yourself targets. Realistic targets, that is.
Saying "I will get my book published this year" isn’t a realistic target. It’s not even a target. It’s a longterm goal, but not realistic.
There are a few things you can do:
1. Work out your priorities
If you work on several projects at once — like I do — it’s important to know which one needs to be finished first. It generally isn’t a good idea to have more than one project on the go at any given time, but it can be done. If you have your priorities set and know where you’re going.
2. Set yourself a realistic goal
It’s no good saying "I will have my novel published this year". It’s a goal, yes, but an unrealistic one.
If you say "I will finish the book this year and submit it to X number of publishers / agents." that’s more like it. You can actually achieve that, there are no unknown factors involved.
3. Set yourself realistic targets
That’s different from goals. Targets are short term, goals are long term.
Good targets are:
Write 1000 words every day.
Brush up by reading relevant books once a week.
Research new markets every Saturday.
4. Keep track
Whether you use a word counter, or use a "Goals" site like Joe’s Goals, or write your achievements down on a piece of paper — keep track of how you are doing somehow. That visual clue is motivating, no matter if you fall short sometimes. It’s that kick up the rear or the pat on the back, but most of all, it shows you’re working on things. I use my blog to record my progress, setting my targets there, and blogging my progress. Get your friends on board and they’ll kick you up the backside when you slack. 
5. Assess how you’re doing and adjust if you have to
Life happens. Sometimes you get ahead of yourself, sometimes you fall behind. Don’t get discouraged. If it doesn’t look like you can achieve your targets — rejig them. Maybe they weren’t realistic and now you know better what you can achieve.
Only make 500 words a day instead of 1000? Fix your target to reflect it. You will feel better when you set it to something you can achieve, rather than beat yourself up over not making it.
There is no point in feeling guilty, because that reflects on your writing. It only makes things worse, so instead of feeling guilty — rework the target. Once you achieve your targets, you feel better about yourself, and things are easier. Next time, set the target slightly higher. i.e. go from 500 words to 750. Over time you’ll find it gets much easier to achieve it, because you’ve already proven to yourself that you can do it.
Most of all — keep writing.
Tags: Goals, Progress, Targets, The Written Word
