writing

How to Set Writing Goals That Actually Work

I’m obsessed with goal setting. I set writing goals and goals for other areas of my life each year, each quarter, and each month. Because I’m so passionate about goal setting, I’m constantly reading books, attending workshops and listening to podcasts to help me get better at setting and achieving my goals. I take what I learn, tweak it and try it out. Then I figure out how to share what I’ve gleaned from my personal experiences with you. That’s why I get so excited for my annual Write the Vision Workshop! (This year’s workshop is on Sunday, December 14 at 4 p.m. CT. You can sign up here.)

Why You Aren’t Achieving Your Writing Goals

If you HATE goal setting, it’s probably because you’re not following through. And if you’re setting writing goals each year and nothing in your writing life is changing, chances are it’s NOT because of laziness. You work hard. Probably too hard. You are NOT lazy. But I think I know what’s holding you back.

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4 Writing Books Every Pantser Should Read

Editor’s Note: See Jane Write publishes guest articles by writers who identify as women, non-binary folks, and our allies. Learn more here.

By: Delany Diamond

I’m a pantser, also referred to as a discovery writer or intuitive writer. Unlike plotters, we write stories without an outline, “flying by the seat of our pants.” That means the story organically unfolds as we write.

Early in my career, I found it difficult to locate how-to books that aligned with my writing style. Typically, they encouraged me to become a plotter or offered advice from a plotting point of view.

The rigid structure and demand for planning left me frustrated and struggling to get words on paper. It didn’t help to hear about the many authors who started where I did and turned into plotters. I was certain that if I also learned to plot, I’d write faster and better stories.

The opposite turned out to be true.

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The Word x Word Accountability Planner for Writers

After months (years?) of deliberation, I have finally decided on the topic for my next book and I’ve written thousands of words already. Yay! But I know I must find a way to keep the momentum going. Of course, I’m turning to a planner for help because, yes, I have a goal of finishing and self-publishing this book next year, but you know how the saying goes— A goal without a plan is just a wish.

Recently, I was gifted the Word x Word Accountability Planner for Writers by Hello Story, and this couldn’t have come at a better time!

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How a Newsletter Can Help You Succeed as an Author

Editor’s Note: See Jane Write publishes guest articles by writers who identify as women, non-binary folks, and our allies. Learn more here.

By: Delany Diamond

You need a newsletter.

You’ve probably seen that advice more times than you can count, but building a newsletter can be overwhelming. So, many authors dismiss the idea, choosing instead to focus on social media interactions with readers.

Unfortunately, that places you at the mercy of those platforms. That’s why you need a newsletter. It’s one of the greatest tools in your writerly tool shed.

I’m a firm believer that without my mailing list, I wouldn’t have an author career today. So first, I’ll explain why you need a list, give you advice on how to build a list of subscribers, and then suggest content for your newsletter.

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How to Write Even When You Don’t Feel Like It

We all know the feeling: You want to write. You plan to write. You even talk about writing. But when it’s time to sit down and get words on the page, suddenly everything feels harder than it should be. The inspiration is missing. The energy is low. The inner critic is loud.

But if you’re serious about your writing goals—whether you’re working on a book, blogging consistently, or growing a writing practice—you need strategies that help you write even when you don’t “feel like it.” That’s because writing consistently isn’t about waiting for inspiration. It’s about creating conditions that make inspiration more likely—and learning how to show up even when it doesn’t.

Here are some practical tips to help you stay inspired and push through on the days when inspiration is nowhere to be found.

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