27. Planning realistic New Year’s writing goals

It’s that time of year again when we ponder what we want to achieve in the new year. For parents who write, our lives are exceptionally busy, so planning our writing goals is crucial to our success. However, we also need to intentionally set writing goals that we can realistically achieve.

So if you haven’t already sat down to plan out your writing goals for the new year, use this method that is tried, tested, and true—whether you're new to writing, getting back into writing, or finally going to write that book.

Help set yourself up for success so you can ensure that whatever story is living inside of you does, in fact, come to life.

In today’s episode, Erin shares 6 specific steps on how to set your writing goals for the new year. These steps include digging deep into your big why, identifying pragmatic and quantifiable approaches, creating a new perspective on writing, and thinking out of the box.

Even if you take only one of the six steps when planning your writing goals for the new year, the chances of your success will go up exponentially.

So tune in to today’s episode and ensure your writing success this new year!

Topics discussed in this episode
  • Digging deep into why you write
  • Setting realistic goals
  • Tracking your progress
  • Planning ahead
  • Identifying potential obstacles and solutions
  • Finding the right accountability community
  • Conquering self-doubt
  • Telling your inner judge to wait their turn
  • Identifying your audience
  • Connecting with one person
  • Redefining what it means to be a writer
About Erin

For 15 years, Erin P.T. Canning has worked as a magazine and book editor, encouraging each writer’s individual voice and strengthening their writing goals. When she became a parent, she set aside her own writing aspirations to focus on her family. As the years passed, she grew increasingly anxious, depressed, and angry until she realized that she had forgotten who she was beyond being a parent.

Despite fearing her skills had atrophied, Erin started writing again. She first created her blog, Life Beyond Parenting, and then created the Parents Who Write podcast. Erin’s current role as a podcaster and writing coach enables her to help parents pursue their writing dreams.

She earned her MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins University, and she has finished the first draft of a fantasy-romance novel. She lives with her husband and their two young boys in Maryland.

Connect with Erin
Free your creative self too

Let’s connect via my Facebook group, Parents Who Write, at https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentswhowrite.

Listen or Watch

Listen to Parents Who Write on Apple Podcasts
Listen to Parents Who Write on Spotify
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Feeling stuck in your author journey?

As an experienced editor, I specialize in helping writers like you, especially parents juggling family and creativity, finish and publish their books.

Take action on your writing dreams! Book a FREE 30-minute discovery call to discuss how I can help you implement these strategies and finally achieve your author goals.

Bonus: Book your call and mention this episode for a free publishing check list.


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We all deserve a safe space where we can return to being just ourself. Nothing more. Nothing less.

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