By Penny Reeve

I wonder, did you set writing goals at the start of the year? And if you did, have you had a chance to take stock and review them yet? 

The planner I use regularly incorporates a review process as part of its core features. Because of this, I’ve become familiar with not just the routine but the benefits of regularly reviewing my goals. It has become an invaluable strategy for keeping my projects on track, my priorities focused and my creativity bubbling. 

So, whether you made some formal goals at the start of the year or not, how about we make ourselves a delicious cuppa (that’s Aussie for hot beverage) and consider five useful questions writers can ask their writing goals at this stage of the year:

#1 What progress has been made so far?

Reviewing our writing goals a few months after they are set allows us time to see whether any progress has been made and why/why not. Goals are often created with hidden expectations about what you can and will be able to do. But when the reality of daily life kicks in (or the ‘unprecedented times’ continue… groan) have any of these expectations come true? Have you been able to allocate writing time? Have you found a critique partner? Are you closer to achieving your writing goal, or at the same point you were in January? (If you have made progress, skip to question #3.)

#2 If progress hasn’t been made, will you adjust your strategy?

This is the reality check. But it doesn’t need to be depressing. And this is why we’re reviewing now and not waiting for December!
Look closely at the reasons you goal progress hasn’t happened. Was it circumstance? Was it an attitudinal issue? Was it ‘closed doors’? Will you change your strategy or keep doing the same thing a little longer? (And how long will you leave it before you change things up?) These can be tough questions, but they’re important ones too. And don’t be afraid to take these questions to God as you work through them. 

#3 Is there something new you need to add? 

Perhaps when you planned your goals you weren’t sure you could attend conference, but now you can. Or perhaps you’ve decided to change your the Work In Progress (WIP) you are going to focus on for the next few months. Make some time to prayerfully consider any new strategies or opportunities that might move you closer towards your writing goals. There may be new courses to consider, new books to read, new agents to contact. Leave space for the ‘new’ in your review!

#4 Are you prioritising writing as a goal? 

This may seem obvious but it’s SO easy for writers to get side-tracked from creating content by doing all the other ‘important’ things writers need to do. The truth, however, is that you can’t be a writer if you’re not writing. If writing new material isn’t high on your goal priority list, it might be time to bump it up and lock that writing time in the diary once again. 

#5 Do you need an accountability partner?

Sometimes when goals are getting sluggish, or we’ve noticed minimal progress, we need an accountability partner to keep us on track. If you’ve noticed yourself procrastinating or talking about writing instead of actual writing, it might be worth checking in with a writing friend to stay accountable to your goals. Choose someone who understands your writing priorities and the way your faith journey fits with your writing. It can be so helpful having someone faithful to be accountable to. 

I’d love to hear what your wring goal review has shown up! Share your reflections – and let me know what kind-a cuppa you drink while you’re reviewing – in the comments below. 

Penny Reeve (also writing as Penny Jaye) is the award winning, Australian author of more than 25 books for children. ​She writes picture books, junior fiction, children’s Bible studies and young adult fiction. She’s an experienced writing workshop leader, conference presenter and writing coach with a particular interest in equipping Christian children’s writers. Her most recent books are a series of collaboratively written, self-published children’s fiction called the Pet Sitters (available as ebook, audio and print too). You can learn more about Penny at www.pennyreeve.com and www.pennyjaye.com