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Setting Goals for the New Year

© Roxianne Moore

5 Goal-Oriented Writing Books

At this time of year, everyone is making goals for career, relationships, health. As writers we need to establish realistic goals. Yet it's so difficult to say, "I will publish my novel this year," when you know it may take a year or more of peddling the book to publishers before you're actually published.

The very idea of setting goals chills me, but I do try to make some plans. In 2001, I came close to reaching a couple of my goals, but my bank account tells me I didn't come close to making the rest. So I sat down and made up a list of goals for next year:

• Finish the fantasy/ romance and begin sending out partials.
• Increase my writing income by at least 50%.
• Begin teaching again
• Go to at least one writer's conference or retreat.
• Complete my nonfiction book

All of these are concrete goals that can be broken down into manageable steps. I still have to come up with an action plan, but by writing them down, I'm off to a good start.

So, how do you identify aspirations that are both realistic and doable? During the past year, I've reviewed a number of goal-related books and websites. These five are the best tools you could have for setting goals and achieving them.

1. If you write nonfiction and you want to see your byline in print, magazines are a good place to start. Writing for Magazines: 12 New Things Writers Must Do Today to Make Money by Meg Weaver will walk you through the process of selling your work in today's magazine market.

   Weaver covers all the bases when it comes to finding a market and testing an idea. She tells you how to glean the information you need to choose a market that?s perfect for your article idea.

   Writing for Magazines is available from Booklocker.com, or through Wooden Horse Publishing in PDF format.

2. Another good book for freelance writers is More than Any Human Being Needs to Know about Freelance Writing by Jenna Glatzer

   Jenna Glatzer has assembled a workbook that every aspiring freelancer should read. She tells you how to get started, how to keep on track, and how to go full-time. She doesn't sugarcoat things, either, but gives a good picture of what freelancing is like today. Rather than focusing on articles, she takes a different approach: variety is the only way to succeed.

   You can order it from Booklocker.com in PDF format.

3. If you want to write fiction but can't always find the inspiration you need to keep going