Prompt-Sheet for Writing Goals
This Prompt-Sheet provides information, examples, and tips that will spark ideas for your
own goals. Be sure to make your goals specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and timebased.
For all writers…especially unpublished and beginning writers.
Write consistently. For example, daily. Make it a routine if you can. Make it a priority.
Write productively. For example, 500 net words per day or edit/revise 10 pages per day.
Tip for setting productivity goals:
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Know your current writing pace. How much time are you spending writing and how
many pages or new words do you normally end up with in that time?
Consider your schedule. How much time can you make available?
Consider your work style. Are you a burst writer? Do you need uninterrupted time and
quiet?
Time yourself and see how much you currently write.
Track your progress to provide a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
Tie productivity to larger more meaningful goals. One page a day is a complete novel!
Find an accountability group or partner.
Improve writing craft.
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Read x number of craft books per x. For example: Strunk’s the Elements of Style, SelfEditing for Fiction Writers, or Techniques of the Selling Writer, or Writing the Breakout
Novel.
Attend x number of craft workshops per x. May be available at a local chapter of a
writers organization like RWA® or Florida Writers Association. You can also find them at
regional conferences or special events.
Attend x number of classes per x. Classes may be offered locally. There are also many
reputable online course providers, such as Lawson’s Writer’s Academy, Savvy Authors,
RWA University, UCLA Extension.
Exchange critiques x times per x. Critiques may come from critique partners or groups or
from contests, but be sure to give them a reality check. Not all critiques are helpful.
RWA has a critique matching services.
Network with other writers.
Charlee Allden
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©2017
Prompt-Sheet for Writing Goals
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Join a group in person. Volunteering is a great way to meet members
Join a group online. Plan how often you’ll interact.
Attend functions for authors. For example, library or city arts programs.
Attend a writing conference, with a plan. For example, set up breakfast or lunch
meetings in advance. Attend first-timers orientations. Plan to stay after a presentation
to meet a speaker you admire. Have your business card ready.
Tips for networking:
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Know who you want to network with and why. For example, are you platform building
or looking for a mentor?
Be your authentic self, in professional mode.
Be courteous, kind, and giving.
Learn about the business.
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Listen to the x podcast x times per x. I like The Creative Penn and Smarty Pants Book
Marketing podcasts.
Read x Books per x. For example, The Naked Truth about Self-Publishing or The Essential
Guide to Getting Your Book Published: How to Write It, Sell It, and Market It . . .
Successfully.
Sign up for and read x newsletter monthly. For example, Publisher’s Lunch or Chris
Syme’s Smart Marketing newsletter.
Read x number of articles linked from RWA’s Enotes monthly.
Add # tips to a tip journal x times per x. Add this goal to one of the previous goals to
make it more active and measurable.
Charlee Allden
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©2017
Prompt-Sheet for Writing Goals
For writers pursuing traditional publishing.
Learn about the business (if you haven’t already) or continue that education. You can learn
from other writers, conferences, books, podcasts, newsletters and so forth.
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Take a knowledgeable author out to lunch to chat about publishing once a quarter.
Join a facebook group with other authors or writers learning about the business.
Listen to the publisher’s spotlights from last year’s RWA conference, to get familiar with
the publishers and editors.
Follow agents and editors on Twitter and interact x times per week.
Learn or improve skills for submitting your work to publishers, including Query letter and
Synopsis and Cover letter. Add deadlines to make measurable goals.
Take steps to submit your work.
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Research agents and make your agent wish list. RWA, Publishers Marketplace and Query
Tracker all have reputable agent listings.
Use the 5 by 5, query method to query x number of agents in x amount of time.
Enter X number of contest with desirable editor or agent judges.
Submit to x number of publishers (small or e- press lines) by x date.
Begin to build your author basic platform.
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Buy your author domain name.
Create a simple but solid website.
Establish yourself on social media platforms (twitter and facebook) and post x times per
week.
Start a mailing list.
Charlee Allden
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©2017
Prompt-Sheet for Writing Goals
For authors planning to self/indie publish.
Learn about the business. RWA National Workshops are a great resource (in person or from
recordings). There are lots of books and online classes available.
Find an Editor. Contact 3 choices for a sample edit by x date.
Find a source for book covers. You can buy pre-designed covers or have a custom design made
for your book.
If you will be using your own ISBN, set up an account at Bowkers.
Set-up accounts at book retailers (that is, Amazon KDP, Nook, iTunes Connect, Kobo Writing
Life, and Create Space) and/or a distributor (such as Draft2Digital or IngramSpark).
Establish a business banking account.
Create a social media plan and follow it. Post to social media x times per week. Interact with
others x times per week.
Build your mailing list.
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Choose and set-up a mailing list method or service (such as Mailchimp or Aweber).
Post your signup form on your website and post on social media x times per x.
Post a signup link wherever makes sense. For example, your Facebook Page and email
signature.
Charlee Allden
Page 4 of 4
©2017