How To Set Realistic Writing Goals For The New Year

Aiming to set realistic writing goals for the New Year?

Writing is a beautiful, cathartic, and deeply rewarding process. – It can also be stressful beyond words when you find yourself staring at the wall, border-lining on pulling your hair out because your at a writers block. (me yesterday)

Whether you’re journaling your thoughts, crafting the next bestselling novel, or trying to be more consistent with your blog, setting writing goals can help you stay on track.

But let’s be real—setting the goal of “writing a book in a month” might sound exciting in January but turn into a guilt-ridden nightmare by March… more like February actually. The trick? Setting realistic writing goals that enhance your creativity without making you want to toss your laptop out the window.

Check out this post on setting realistic reading goals!

Why Set Writing Goals?

Writing isn’t just about getting words on a page—it’s about self-expression, personal growth, and creating something meaningful. Whether you write for fun, mental clarity, career aspirations, or storytelling, setting goals keeps you accountable and motivated.

Writing can also help improve communication skills, enhance problem-solving abilities, and even boost mental well-being. So, let’s make this year the one where you set writing goals that excite and inspire you, rather than stress you out.

How to Set Realistic Writing Goals

1. Figure Out The Why

Before you put a number on your writing goals, ask yourself: Why do I want to write more this year? Are you hoping to finish a book, develop a daily writing habit, or improve your storytelling skills? Understanding your motivation will shape how you approach your goals.

2. Start Small and Build Up

If you haven’t written regularly in a while, don’t aim for 2,000 words a day right off the bat. Instead, start with small, achievable targets—maybe 300 words per session or 30 minutes of freewriting per day—and gradually increase from there.

3. Set Word Count or Time-Based Goals

Different writers thrive under different structures. You might prefer:

• Word count goals (e.g., 500 words per day, 3,000 words per week)
• Time-based goals (e.g., writing for 30 minutes daily)
• Project-based goals (e.g., finishing a short story every month)

4. Break Goals into Milestones

Big projects—like finishing a novel or launching a blog—can feel overwhelming. Breaking them into smaller milestones makes them manageable:

• Outline your book in the first month
• Write one chapter per week
• Edit five pages per day
• Publish one blog post per month

5. Track Your Progress

Use tools to stay on top of your writing goals:

• Journals or planners to log daily progress
• Apps like Scrivener or Evernote to organize your writing
  • I absolutely love Scivener, I think it’s perfect for those who are detail-oriented like me. You can stick to the basics of it, but it does have a lot of facets worth utilizing. Since it has a lot of options it might be overwhelming for some, but a quick how-to video and you’ll be on your way!
• A writing accountability partner for motivation

6. Make It Fun!

Gamify your writing to keep it engaging:

• Set up a reward system (treat yourself to a couple of episodes of your favorite show after completing a chapter!)
• Join a writing challenge (like NaNoWriMo or Camp NaNo)
• Participate in writing sprints with friends or online communities

7. Allow Flexibility and Grace

Life happens. Some weeks you’ll hit your targets effortlessly; other times, writing might take a backseat. That’s okay! Adjust your goals as needed, and don’t let guilt derail your progress.

Writing Goal Ideas to Inspire You

• Write X words per day/week/month
• Start a daily journaling habit
• Outline a novel or nonfiction book
• Finish a draft of your book by year’s end
• Write one short story or poem per month
• Submit to a writing contest or literary magazine
• Publish a blog post every two weeks
• Revise and edit a past project
• Experiment with a new genre
• Take a creative writing course
• Co-write a story with a friend
• Write letters to yourself for future reflection

The Bottom Line: Progress Over Perfection

The key to setting writing goals? Consistency and flexibility. Some days you’ll hit your targets, some days you won’t—and that’s totally fine. Writing should feel fulfilling, not like another stressor on your to-do list.

By setting realistic, adaptable goals, you’ll make meaningful progress while keeping your passion for writing alive. So, grab that notebook, open your laptop, and start writing—one word at a time. Happy writing!

What are your writing goals this year? Let us know in the comments!