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The path to finishing a manuscript is often paved with good intentions- along with a hefty dose of struggle. Writing a complete manuscript is a marathon, not a sprint, and many writers find themselves stalled—overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the task. To avoid burnout and maintain motivation, it’s essential to approach the finish line with realistic goals. Breaking down the seemingly insurmountable into smaller, manageable steps not only makes the process less daunting, it ensures you actually reach the final page.
Setting achievable goals is about finding the sweet spot between challenging yourself and realistic expectations. It requires honest self-assessment. Consider your current skills, available time, resources, and potential obstacles.
A goal should push you beyond your comfort zone, promoting growth, but it shouldn’t be so daunting that it becomes discouraging. A goal that’s too easy won’t motivate you, but one that’s too difficult can lead to frustration and abandonment. Finding that balance is key to sustained your progress.
Achievable milestones are key to staying motivated and completing your project. But how can we ensure our goals are realistic and not driven by impatience or overexcitement? Setting effective goals for any task, writing or otherwise, requires a structured approach. One method that I’ve found to be effect is the SMART framework.
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This agenda helps ensure any goals set are well-defined, trackable, and aligned with one’s overall objectives, increasing their chances of success.
Let me break this down in greater detail: A specific goal clearly defines what you wish to accomplish. It answers the questions of who, what, where, when, and why of your goal. Instead of a vague goal like “get published”, a specific goal might be “submit short stories to five different (your genre) magazines by June 30th, targeting publications with a proven track record of publishing stories similar in theme and style to my own.” Specificity eliminates ambiguity and provides you with a clear and clean target.
A measurable goal allows you to track your progress and determine whether you’ve achieved it or not. This often involves quantifiable metrics. For example, if you’re currently writing 100 words a day, and your goal is to “write more”, aiming for 2000 words a day might be a bit drastic. A more achievable step might be 250-300 words, then gradually increasing your word count as you build consistency and confidence. This allows you to track your daily, and weekly writing output, monitor your progress and see if you’re meeting target.
An achievable goal is realistic and attainable given your current resources, skills, and constraints. While it’s good to be ambitious, setting unrealistic goals is the ultimate fast-track to discouragement and failure. “Write the next great American novel in the next two months” is likely not achievable for most people. A more achievable goal might be to “complete one chapter in a month”. This approach helps break down larger goals into manageable steps, increasing the likelihood of success.
A relevant goal aligns with your overall objectives and long-term aspirations. It should contribute to your broader vision and be meaningful to you. If your long-term goal is to “become a published novelist”, then spending time working on a manuscript, developing character arcs, or attending writing-specific workshops is a relevant goal. Ensuring relevance helps you prioritize your efforts and stay focused on what truly matters.
A time-bound goal has a deadline. This creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay motivated. It also provides a clear timeframe for measuring your progress and achieving your desired outcome. Instead of “write a novel,” a time-bound goal would be “complete the first draft of my novel by June 30th.” Deadlines drive production and provide a clear target date for completion.
Understand that ambition is wonderful; a winning trait in fact, but setting unrealistic expectations can be a slippery slope and detrimental to achieving any goal. If your aspirations are too ambitious or out of reach, it’s easy to become discouraged. This discouragement can quickly lead to abandonment. This is why it’s important to set challenging but attainable goals to maintain your motivation and build momentum.
The key to consistent writing is often found in starting small. Instead of aiming to write an entire novel in one sitting, focus on writing for 15 minutes each day, or completing one paragraph at a time. This gradual approach allows you to build a writing habit, develop your voice, and refine your craft without the pressure of achieving immediate perfection. Writing is a process of discovery and refinement. Perfection is never attainable; focus instead on making steady progress, and be sure to celebrate each milestone as you hit them.
Every writer longs for long stretches of uninterrupted silence, but it isn’t always possible. Writing consistently, even in small increments, is more valuable than sporadic bursts of effort. When you have limited time due to life demands, focus on making small, steady progress. Even writing for just 15 minutes a day can accumulate significantly over time.
Early on in my writing career, when I was juggling writing my first works with two littles, a home and husband, and a private healing practice, time was scarce. I found success in sacrificing late-night screen time, for an earlier bed time. This allowed me get up at 4:00 a.m. while the house was still asleep, and get a solid two hours of writing time in before the house woke up.
It’s so important to be realistic about your available time. Don’t aim for hours of uninterrupted writing if that’s not feasible. Instead, find small pockets of time throughout your day. Even 10 minutes of focused writing is better than nothing. At work, I’d grab a few minutes between patients to make quick notes, character sketches or simply get whatever details out of my head, out and into a notebook. These stolen moments are like pennies; be tenacious, and they add up.
To maximize your productivity, create a writing routine that fits your schedule. Procrastination and distractions are common enemies of busy writers. Block off specific times in your calendar and treat them as non-negotiable appointments. Manage distractions by creating a dedicated writing space, turning off notifications, and using website blockers or apps that limit social media access. Stay-at-home parents, use nap time to write; the house work and television shows will still be available when they wake up. If you find yourself procrastinating, try setting a timer for just 10 minutes and focus solely on writing during that time. Often, getting started is the hardest part.
Consistently writing a manuscript to finish requires setting SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By breaking down the overwhelming task of writing into smaller, manageable steps, prioritizing consistent, even if brief, writing sessions over sporadic bursts, being honest about time constraints, and taking advantage of small pockets of time will greatly help move you forward with your manuscript. Manage your distractions and build your writing routine. By setting realistic goals and consistently working towards them, you’ll overcome challenges and finish your manuscript.
Have you finished writing your book? What tips and tricks have you picked up along the way? Be sure to share in the comments, and also be sure to sign for future notifications.
Best,
Dani
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