Writing Life and Philosophy

How to Create an Awesome Writing Space: Writing Life

Creating a space to write in can be more beneficial to your writing than you may realize.

Not only does it give you a designated place to get work done, but I’ve also found that creating the space can be a wonderful-yet-productive break from writing.

It taps into a different kind of creativity while still contributing to your output in the long run.

How to Create an Awesome Writing Space: Writing Life

In this post, I’m going to share four reasons why I think it’s important to create a designated writing space and give you four tips to make it happen.

Why it’s important

It puts you in the right mindset

Sleep specialists say you should never work in your bed because it trains your brain that your bed is for something other than sleep.

In a similar vein, I’ve found that having a designated space to work trains your brain to work when you’re in that space.

Writing in a space you normally relax in, like on your couch, might work fine when you’re writing well, but if you’re going through a rough patch, it can be a challenge.

It becomes all too easy to put the writing aside and turn on the TV if you just don’t feel like working.

On the other hand, if you have a designated writing space, you’ll know that when you’re there, you are there to work.

This puts you in the right mindset before you even start writing and makes it easier to get work done–even when you just don’t feel like it.

It can remove you from distractions

When you have a space for work, you can design it to be distraction free.

You can make sure a TV is not in view, your phone is out of your space, and make it clear to others in the house that if you’re in that space, you shouldn’t be bothered.

This will help with your focus and productivity.

It can help you and others take your writing seriously

Writing can feel a lot like a hobby if you aren’t getting paid for it yet, but if you want to be paid for your work at some point, it’s important to treat it like work now.

When you have a space to write in, it’s easier to feel like you’re working. It’s also easier for others in your house to see you working.

Giving yourself a space to work can help you and everyone around you to see your writing as a career-in-progress and less like a hobby. For more on how to treat writing like your job before it is, check out this post.

It can help you organize your writing time better

When you don’t have a designated space, writing time, relaxing time, family time, and life in general can all run together.

I’ve found that once I took the time to create a space, I was more motivated to use it. Which meant I was more motivated to carve out writing time and make sure that time is protected.

How to create an awesome writing space

Pick a location

It can be a room in your house, an area outside, or even a corner of your living room.It doesn’t matter how big or small the space is, the key is that it will be designated for work.

Also, consider an area that will stimulate your creativity. If looking out a window will help fuel your story, set up your space near a window. If you’d find the window distracting, go for a wall.

You may even want to have a couple writing areas if you can. My love my outside writing space, but I also have a space inside for when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Get the right furniture

A desk or table and chair are usually the basics, but that may not be for you. If you’d rather write in a comfy chair, go for it!

But I recommend getting a chair exclusively for your writing space. If you’re using a corner of a larger room and you don’t live alone, you also might want to think about getting some kind of separator or screen to isolate yourself while you work.

And if you don’t happen to have the right furniture laying around, Amazon and yard sales are a great way to get what you need inexpensively.

Surround yourself with plans and positivity

Hang quotes that inspire you on the wall. Have pictures that relax you nearby. Consider adding a whiteboard or corkboard with your writing plans and goals so you always know what you’re working towards.

Add whatever you need to keep yourself focused and motivated.

Browse Pinterest and Amazon for decorative ideas

Pinterest, in particular, can be super helpful in collecting ideas for a creative or writing space. Cast a wide net.

Search ideas for home offices and small office spaces. You never know what other people have come up with that might be helpful to you.

I hope this helps you create an awesome writing space!

Now it’s your turn: What do you surround yourself with when you want to be productive? What’s essential for your writing space? Tell me about it in the comments!

How to Treat Writing Like Your Job Before It Is

By Meghan 10 Comments

If one of your writing goals is to be published, the sooner you start to treat writing like your job, the better off you will be.

I started treating writing like my job in grad school. To be fair, at that point, it kind of was my job since I was getting graded, but once I started that habit, it carried over into my post-grad life.

I believe it’s a massive reason why I’m published.

So today, I’m going to talk about how it can be beneficial to treat writing like your job, how it helped me, and give you some tips to help you do the same.

The benefits:

It builds good habits

You get used to showing up at your computer or notebook on a regular basis. If you want to be paid for your writing someday, you will have to meet deadlines.

To meet those deadlines, you often have to show up even when you don’t always feel like it. The sooner you can get used to that idea, the more habitual it will be and the easier it will become.

It ups your productivity

I don’t think this needs a ton of explanation. When you show up on a regular basis, you will get more done!

Sure, some days will be harder than others, but even a little bit of progress on a bad day is better than not writing at all. I also found that writing got a lot more fun for me once I saw consistent progress.

It helps protect your writing time

When you treat writing like a job, it makes it easier to protect your time and say no to others. If you asked someone for a favor but they had to work, they wouldn’t hesitate to say no.

If you start thinking of writing as your job and framing it that way to others, it will be easier to say no to things. Because you do have to work. (I wrote a post on Saying No to Others if you need more tip on this.)

It makes transitioning into publishing more manageable

Like we said earlier, if you want to be published, you will have to meet deadlines. Those deadlines will be easier to meet if you’re already in the habit of scheduling your writing time and committing to that schedule.

It’s pretty common for writers to spend years working on their first published book. No one is waiting on it, so you can take all the time you need. But once you sell that book, you’ll have a pretty serious deadline for revisions.

And if you’ve sold more than one book, you’ll have to write an entire book from start to finish in a fraction of a time that it took you to write the first.

Personally, I found meeting publishing deadlines to be (for the most part) a lot easier than I was expecting. There were some parts I had to adjust to, but as a whole, it was a relatively smooth transition.

I’m pretty sure this was because I was already used to the idea that writing was my job and that deadlines had to be met.

It forces you to take your goals seriously

The moment I decided to treat writing like my job was the moment I writing went from a fun side project to a career goal.

It made me more dedicated and determined. I also found that once I took my goals more seriously, it either made others take my goals seriously, or helped me to tune out the people who didn’t.

How to make it happen:

Make a schedule and commit

When you have a regular job you have a scheduled time to report and tasks to complete. If you’re treating writing like your job, then it’s going to need its own schedule and set of tasks.

Pick a time of day that you can show up to your story on a regular basis. Maybe it means getting up a half hour earlier, staying up a half hour later, or writing through your lunch break. It doesn’t have to be a lot of time if you’re just starting out, just make sure it’s consistent.

Something else to keep in mind: while we are treating writing like a job, it’s important to remember that writing isn’t necessarily like other jobs.

Some days, the brainpower and creativity just aren’t there. On days like that, I still encourage you to show up at your computer or notebook, if that’s part of your plan. Even if you can’t meet your goals, do what you can to keep that time commitment to yourself.

Find a way to take a step forward, even if it’s only a small one.

Set manageable goals

It’s okay if you treat writing like a part-time job instead of a full-time one. The point is to take your writing time and production as seriously as you would if someone were paying you to do so.

However, you shouldn’t run yourself into the ground in the process. Small sacrifices are one thing, but you shouldn’t be killing yourself to make your writing dreams a reality. It’s unhealthy and unsustainable.

It’s really hard to be a happy writer if you’ve spread yourself too thin, so set goals you can reasonably accomplish.

Once you do break into publishing, you might be able to cut back on other obligations to get more time, but for now, build the habit. It’s easier to expand a habit you already have than to start from scratch.

For more on this topic, check out these posts: How to Set Manageable Writing Goals and The Importance of Setting Reasonable Writing Goals.

Hold yourself accountable (or find someone who will)

If this were a regular job, there would be a boss or someone above you waiting for your work.

Someday, that will be your agent, editor, and publisher. For now, that boss is going to have to be you.

If you’re someone who is good at holding yourself accountable this might not be too hard.

Personally, I get a lot of satisfaction out of sticking to a schedule and meeting my goals, but that might not be you.

If that’s the case, find a friend who will check in on your regularly. Then come up with a system.

Maybe you have to report your word count or (if they’re a good early draft reader) send them pages. If you can find another writer, you can support each other and hold each other accountable.

Work “Out”

If you have the option of leaving home to write, give it a shot. I’ve found that this creates the feeling of “going to work” and helps me stay focused once I get there.

I also know of writers who made it a habit of stopping a cafe for a half hour or so on their way home from work. They knew once they got home, the writing wouldn’t get done, so they found another option.

If you want more on this topic, I did a whole post on the benefits of writing out.

I hope this gives you a good idea of why you should treat writing like your job and how to make it happen!

Now it’s your turn: What helps you take your writing seriously? Have you ever tried to treat writing like your job before? Tell me about it in the comments!

Do You Need an MFA to Get Published?

By Meghan 1 Comment

First, let’s answer the million dollar question. Do you need an MFA (Master of Fine Arts degree) to get published?

No. You absolutely do not.

MFAs are not cheap and there are a lot of affordable resources that can help you hone your craft and become a better writer. I personally know plenty of published authors who do not have an MFA.

I, however, do have an MFA. My degree is an MFA in Creative Writing from Rosemont College, and getting it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for myself.

While I believe that I would have gotten published eventually without my degree, I also credit it for a lot of my success. I think it massively accelerated my publication track, and I became a better writer than I would have ever become had I not enrolled in my program.

Do You Need an MFA to Get Published?

But getting an MFA is a personal choice, and it may not be for everyone. If it’s something you’ve been contemplating, here’s my list of pros and cons to help.

The Pros:

Community

You get a built-in community of people who are in the same boat as you. They love writing, take it seriously, and want to make it their job. I found that this was one big reason I was often really excited to go to class every week.

Structured lessons designed to challenge you

Sure, you can learn to write by taking non-credit classes, online courses, or reading craft books/blogs/articles, but those courses aren’t always designed to really push you.

MFA programs are built to make you a better writer and often require you to do things that might scare you or that you may think you can’t do.

They are built for more serious writers who what to be the best writers they can be.

Deadlines

You’ll have a handful of deadlines each semester, which forces you to be productive. This is good practice if you’re hoping to be published someday.

Do You Need an MFA to Get Published - in photo: Writing Tip: MFS programs are build to make you a better writer and often require you to do things that might scare you or that may think you can't do. - Meghan Rogers

Knowledgeable/experienced instructors

MFA programs usually require instructors to either be published writers or have made significant contributions to the writing/literary community. The people you learn from are vetted and experienced writers with plenty to share.

A tool for a day job

While an MFA does not guarantee you a publishing contract, it does give you some solid credentials for a day job while you work toward your publication goals.

With an MFA, you can teach writing at various levels. Colleges, in particular, are often looking for adjunct Comp 101 teachers, and some might even have openings in their creative writing classes.

Personally speaking, my degree has enabled me to work as a college writing tutor for five years, which gave me a reliable source of income.

Exposure to opportunities and experiences

MFA programs have a vested interest in your success. If you succeed, it reflects well on them. Because of that, they are able to point you in the direction of some quality resources that will help you reach your goals.

During my time in my MFA program, I had access to regular talks from editors, agents, and published writers. I was also given the chance to do a reading in a Philadelphia Barnes & Noble for one of my classes.

This meant that we spent time discussing how to give a good reading and my first reading experience was with a friendly audience of classmates, family, and friends. When my book came out and I had to do events, I was prepared.

Additionally, there were a handful of conferences and writing events that gave discounts to students in my program.

Do You Need an MFA to Get Published - in photo; type written phrase "It's all in the journey..."

An informed critique

The feedback you get comes from people who are studying the craft just like you are. While a friend’s critique can be valuable and helpful, it also might include, “this is funny,” or “I don’t like this,” which isn’t all that helpful.

A critique from your MFA instructor or classmate will often be more specific. They’ll be able to tell you exactly what you’re doing well so you can replicate it, and identify specific problems, so you know what you need to fix.

Plenty of options

You can choose between full residency programs (traditional, weekly classes), low-residency programs (work remotely with short stints on campus), and fully online programs, to find one that best fits your budget and lifestyle.

And while MFAs are expensive, you don’t have to go to the most renowned school to benefit. I went through a small, fairly affordable program and I feel like I got a high-quality education.

Shows agents/editors you’re serious

Getting an MFA is a sign to editors and agents that you are serious about your writing. It tells them that this isn’t just a hobby for you. It shows that you put a serious investment into learning your craft, which is often appreciated.

You will be a better writer

I am an exponentially better writer with my MFA than I was before it. My first published book was the first book I developed from start to finish after I graduated, and I don’t think that’s an accident.

It was the first chance I had to use everything I learned in my program. Your experience may not look like mine, but I can’t imagine a reality where you won’t emerge a better writer after you graduate than you were before you started.

You’ll also give yourself a serious leg up on any publishing goals you may have.

The Cons:

Cost

This is obviously a big one. Of course, prices vary from program to program, but we’re still talking about a Master’s degree.

As I mentioned, my program was pretty affordable, but even the most affordable programs cost thousands of dollars. You have to figure out if it’s really worth it for you based on your own circumstances.

Time

Again, it’s a Master’s degree. Each class is going to take a significant time commitment.

Also, if your life is really busy and you’re only taking one or two classes a semester, it will take a long time to complete your degree. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something to think about.

Do You Need an MFA to Get Published - in photo Write Tip: MFAs are jot just cheap and there are a lot of affordable resources that can help you hone your craft and become a better writer. - Meghan Rogers

Location

Depending on the program you pick and where you live, you will most likely have to travel to your school either weekly or occasionally. Your time commitment and travel expenses could increase if you live far away from your school.

Additionally, your availability and travel budget could limit your options.

A possibility of too much feedback

You don’t get to pick your readers in an MFA program. Even though the majority of your classmates will probably have the best intentions when they give feedback, they will not all be your readers.

Some will not get your work, and their advice might mess with your head. I’ve seen it happen.

It’s possible to give good feedback regardless of genre, but that is a very specific skill set that not all MFA students have. No matter what you decide, it’s important to keep this in mind.

Mental fatigue

Any graduate program can be mentally draining, especially if you’re also working a full-time (or even part-time) job and trying to keep up with family and friends.

You will most likely spread yourself too thin during your time in school. I thought it was worth it, but it may not be for everyone.

No guarantee of publication

In most professions, getting a Master’s degree in your field all but guarantees you a job in that field–at least at some capacity. The same cannot be said for an MFA in writing.

While I absolutely believe it will make you a better, more complete writer and give you a better shot at the publishing industry, publication if far from guaranteed.

I hope this gives you a good idea of the pros and cons of getting an MFA!

Now it’s your turn: Have you ever thought about an MFA? Do you have one? What are your pros/cons/concerns/thoughts? Tell me about it in the comments!

4 Great Reasons Writing Out Can Help Writers

By Meghan 6 Comments

Being a continually productive writer is always a challenge.

However, one of the many benefits of writing is that it can be done anywhere, including the comfort of our own homes. Which can be good because it means we should have no excuse not to get our words in.

But I think we all know, that’s not exactly how writing works.

One of the problems of working at home is the number of distractions that can pull us away from our work.

There’s housework to do, family members who want our attention, and an entire streaming services of programming just calling our names.

Ignoring these distractions may be easy when you’re writing well, but even that’s debatable.

If you’re struggling with your story or going through a stretch where you just don’t feel like writing, the distractions can very easily win out.

One of the best ways I’ve found to beat in-house distraction and raise my productivity is to go out to write.

Here are four reasons why I love writing out:

It gives you a set amount of time to work

Another downside with working at home is that there’s always “later.” It’s easy to tell yourself, “I’ll write later, let me just run the vacuum.”Then one task leads to another and “later” never happens.

When you go out to write, you don’t have later. You can only be in that place for so long.At some point, you’ll have to go home.

If you want to make the trip worth it, you have to actually get the work done now.

There is nothing else for you to do except work

Those distractions we talked about earlier? They aren’t “out” with you. You can’t clean the house or catch up on shows, and no one is around to ask you a question/favor.

There is nothing else for you to do except your work. I would also advise you not to connect to the internet unless you absolutely need it. This takes the one distraction that can follow you off the table.

I’ve also found that most of the time, making it to my location is the hardest part. Once I do, I’m always more motivated to make it worthwhile.I took the time to pack up my stuff and get in my car, so I better not come home empty handed.

This really helps me make the most of my time. Also, the idea that I’m taking up a table for a few hours keeps me working consistently.

Like, if I’m going to taking up space/a table in this location, and keeping said space from other people, I better be working (even though I’m always at a cafe, or someplace that I know doesn’t care how long I’m there).

It keeps you from being too isolated

Writing can be isolating. Even if you have a job and a busy life, when you sit down to write, you’re very much alone.

I like being alone, so this is one of my favorite things about writing. But it can also be good for you and your work if you can get out of your own head a little bit.

If you’re struggling with your writing at home, the only place you can look to for inspiration is your own familiar surroundings. If you’re “out” you can come across someone or something that might not have occurred to you otherwise.

Maybe the woman at the counter with the bright lipstick will make her way into your book? Or maybe she’ll inspire an idea that will. When you’re outside of your house, have a lot to pull from.

You have a lot of options

Personally, I think cafe-type places or Paneras are ideal, but you have options! If you’re someone who needs silence to work, or who doesn’t want to buy something to “rent” a table for a few hours, a library might be perfect for you.

If you like writing outdoors, try a local park. Don’t be afraid to get creative. Any place you can set up shop for a few hours will work. The key is to get away from the distractions of being home and give yourself a set amount of time to work.

I hope this gives you a good idea how writing out can help you!

With all of this said, I do want to note that this approach will not be for everyone. Some people absolutely cannot concentrate if there are other people around, and that’s fine! You have to do what works for you.

But if you’ve never tried writing out, I’d encourage you to at least give it a shot. You have nothing to lose and you may find it helpful to your process. I was always someone who thought I could never write out, but I did it for a class once and it completely revolutionized my process.

If you’re on the fence about giving this a shot, check out this article in New Scientist, which discusses why some people get their best work done in coffee shops.

Now it’s your turn: Do you write in or write out? Have you tried both? Which do you prefer and why? Tell me about it in the comments!

Stop Talking Bad About Your Writing: 4 Writing Tips

By Meghan Leave a Comment

Self-doubt is pretty common among writers. This can lead to us talking bad about our writing, which I believe needs to stop.

We may think our books aren’t good enough. We may get frustrated because they’re not what we want them to be. Or we may just feel like our writing is bad. But no matter how bad you might be feeling, I would encourage you not to talk bad about your writing or your WIP.

Now, this isn’t to say that you should keep everything bottled up.

It’s okay to question your story and acknowledge or discuss its problems. That’s how stories get better.

The issue comes when we wallow in our books’ problems. If we stay in this negative place for too long, we start to perpetuate the idea that these problems make us bad writers.

If you say these negative thoughts out loud enough, you may actually start to believe they’re true. It creates a negative headspace that is unhelpful and unproductive. And it certainly doesn’t help you enjoy the process or build a happy writing life.

Something else to consider: you are the biggest advocate for your story. If you want other people to be excited about your work, you need to talk about it positively.

And to talk about it positively, you need to see your work positively. I’ve found it helpful to practice this outlook at all stages of the writing process, so I try to think of my work as positively as possible.

Here are some tips that help me see my work in a positive light day in and day out so I don’t talk bad about my writing:

1) Don’t focus on the end result while you’re writing

Be patient with your process and progress.

Celebrate the victory of simply moving forward on a regular basis. Remember, it’s okay if your book is not good while you’re working on it. It actually isn’t supposed to be good until you’re finished.

Try not to think about someone else reading your work and embrace the experience of writing. As long as you are making progress, things are going well.

Now, like I said earlier, I’m not saying you can’t acknowledge that your WIP is bad while it’s in progress. I do this all the time.

But I don’t let the fact that my book isn’t good yet be a bad thing.It’s simply a fact.

I trust that my book is where it needs to be and that if I keep putting the time in and moving forward, I will end up with a story I’m happy with and that I enjoyed creating.

Focusing on creation and not the result makes it easier to stay in a good mind set.

2) Don’t get caught up in “my book sucks” or “I hate my book”

Living in negativity is a waste of time, and it doesn’t help your book improve.

Instead, take the time to understand exactly what you don’t like so you can fix it. Similarly to the point above, it’s okay to say you don’t like your book, but it’s not okay to wallow in this feeling.

If you can’t get past “this sucks” you might find that the idea working on your project becomes torturous. So instead, try to figure out what the problem is.

Give brainstorming or freewriting a shot. They may help you get to the bottom of your book’s issues.

Also, if you haven’t finished a complete draft yet, try to keep writing until you do–even if you hate your book. For tips on how, check out 6 Tips for Finishing Your First Draft and Stop Editing While You Write. You also might want to take a look at Why Writers Should Embrace Imperfection in Their Writing.

3) Focus on what IS working

Maybe it’s a character, maybe it’s the concept, maybe it’s one scene.

These are places to pull from. These are places to celebrate. Let these areas remind you why you started writing this in the first place. Let these elements inspire the parts of the book that aren’t working yet.

And once you know what areas you like, take the time to figure out why.

Just like understanding what you don’t like can help you fix problems, understanding what you do like can help you appreciate your book and move it in a direction that makes you happy.

4) When someone compliments your work, say thank you

Don’t blow it off or down play their compliment.

Your work mattered to someone. Even if you don’t think it’s your best, that’s something to appreciate.

This doesn’t make you egotistical. It makes you grateful.

I would encourage you to use compliments as a source of inspiration. If your work mattered to someone once, there’s no reason to think it won’t again. I also think allowing yourself to take a compliment will make you feel better about what you’ve written and see your work more positively going forward.

This tip is for the sake of your reader as much as it is for you.

As writers, I think most of us found our way to writing because a story mattered to us at some point.

Personally, I connect with the stories I love deeply. It would gut me if a creator of something I love replied to a compliment by saying, “it was nothing,” or “it could have been a lot better,” or “I’m glad you liked it but I wish some things were different.”

People like things because they connect with them. Don’t dismiss their connection to your work. Say thank you.

I hope this helps you to see your work in a more positive light!

For more on the side effects of negative self-talk, check out this article from VeryWellMind.

Now it’s your turn: Have you ever caught yourself talking bad about your work? How has it influenced your writing, if at all? Tell me about it in the comments!

The Importance of Setting Reasonable Writing Goals

By Meghan 2 Comments

I’ve talked about how to set manageable writing goals before, but I never really got into why setting reasonable writing goals is so important.

Setting reasonable writing goals has been really helpful for balancing my writing life. When I aim too high and don’t meet my goals, I have a harder time functioning outside of my writing.

I feel like my work day isn’t finished until my goals are met and it’s harder to focus on other things when I feel like I should still be working.

Being fully present is just as important to writing as actually writing. It’s what gives us the experiences and emotions that we write about.

Another problem with setting unreasonable goals is how easy it is to fall behind. Once you do, you’re often in a constant state of catch-up, which most likely only makes you fall farther behind.

From there, it can go one of two ways. You either get discouraged and quit, or you get hyper-focused on your goals and other areas of your life suffer as a result.

Neither option is ideal for a happy writing life.

The Importance of Setting Reasonable Writing Goals

Here are some things I (try to) do to set reasonable writing goals:

Meghan Rogers shares reasonable writing goals - in photo: Writing Tip: I'm making a conscious effort to write less daily in the hopes that I'm sharper and more productive when I am writing.

Under-scheduling

This is something new for me. Basically, I’m making a conscious effort to do less work daily in the hopes that I’m sharper and more productive when I am working.

This will ideally make me more productive in the long run because I’m less prone to burnout and my quality of work is better.

This also builds in plenty of time for things not to go as planned, so it’s easier to stay on track. So far I’ve found that this has made me more productive with the time I have and that the quality of my writing has been better than it was when I was scrambling to do as much as possible.

I plan my day the night before

This gives me a realistic sense of my time and a better handle on what I can accomplish within that time.

I schedule everything, from waking up, to getting coffee, doing yoga, writing, appointments, work, travel time, and even watching TV. If I have all of my time accounted for, I can’t afford to procrastinate, which keeps me productive throughout the day.

It’s also nice to see where my time is going and to see if I can sneak more writing time in if I need it.

For example, if I end up on an unavoidable phone call during my writing time, I know I have the window of TV time later in the night to get more work in.

It’s also helped me see how much of time was going to non-essential or repetitive tasks so I can alter my schedule accordingly. Thanks to this, I started batching a handful of daily tasks, which has helped me find more time to write.

Stretch Goals

I’ve mentioned these before. The idea is every day you set a ‘light’ goal that you can guarantee you’ll have time to accomplish. Then, have a stretch goal that you really want to accomplish, but it’s okay if you don’t.

This (ideally) gives you something realistic to work towards while still working to be as productive as possible. This also keeps you from wasting writing time if it turns out you’re super locked in and end up with some extra time on your hands.

It’s a good solution if you’re like me and find yourself getting over ambitious with your goals. This way you can be realistic without selling yourself short.

If I get behind, I don’t try to catch up all at once

Instead, I make a plan to chip away over an extended period of time.

So, if I miss a day of writing, instead of doubling up I’ll add a few hundred words to my daily goals for the next week or so. If I don’t have time to add to my daily goal, I add another day to my overall schedule.

I’d rather be a day late and have something I enjoyed creating than push myself to the point that writing becomes a source of stress. I’ve found this is something my writing benefits from.

If you’re on a tight deadline, this may not be an option. Still, do what you can to distribute your catch up work as evenly as possible.

I imagine when you set your writing goals, you probably did your best to distribute those goals pretty evenly. So why does it make sense to double up just so you can catch up?

Sure, it may take longer for you to feel like you’re caught up, but you’ll get there.

However, if you put too much pressure on yourself to catch up at once, it’s likely that you’ll get overwhelmed or discouraged (or both).

This may make you start to feel like writing isn’t worth all this. Writing is always worth it, but pressuring yourself to write, isn’t.

Do what you can to avoid putting yourself in that kind of situation.

Meghan Rogers shares reasonable writing goals - in photo: Writing Tip: If I get behind on my writing goal, I don't try to catch up all at once, Instead, I chip away over an extended period of time.

My Reality

Setting reasonable writing goals is admittedly a weakness for me. I like to be productive and I always think I can do more than I realistically have time for.

Plus, goals keep me motivated. Whether it’s fixing a scene or hitting a word count, meeting a goal gives me a feeling of accomplishment, even if I don’t like what I wrote that day.

But I also know I’m a better writer when I’m a balanced writer. So, I try to check myself whenever I start to get too caught up in my output and my goal of finishing my project.

These tips have been a huge help in maintaining (or rediscovering) that balance.

I hope this helps you set reasonable writing goals!

Now it’s your turn: How do you set reasonable writing goals? Have you found yourself struggling to meet your goals? If you have, how do you manage it? If you haven’t, what tips can you share?

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