Linda K Sienkiewicz

  • Home
  • Bio
  • Books
  • Blog
  • News
  • Etc.
    • Press Kit
    • Events
    • Art
    • Publishing Credits and Awards
  • Social Media
  • Email
You are here: Home / Writing / Positive Writing Goals in 3 Easy Steps

Positive Writing Goals in 3 Easy Steps

June 20, 2022 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

I republish this post every couple of years because, frankly, most writers can use a kick in the pants sometimes. This one, however, is painless. It’s motivating, and it will work to cement definable, positive writing goals.

I credit the exercise to author and writing coach Cheri Caddick!

First step:

Fold a piece of lined paper in half. On the left half, write a list of what stalls you when it comes to writing. For myself, I wrote:

  1. Avoidance- I put off even getting started. 
  2. I may get started, but end up distracted by Facebook or Twitter.
  3. When a scene becomes difficult, I give up.
  4. The hubris of the real world keeps me from concentrating.
  5. I tell myself ten or fifteen minutes isn’t enough time, so why bother?
  6. I’m afraid what I’m writing is crap.

Second step:

Open the paper and list a counter to each of your stalling points. My counters are:

  1. Sit down every morning and write.
  2. Temporarily shut off all social media so you have to focus.
  3. Plow headfirst through the difficult scenes.
  4. Tune everything else out for just the time you allotted yourself.
  5. Take advantage of every bit of free time, even if it’s a half-hour.
  6. Write for pleasure. Write for yourself.

Third step:

Write your counter statements out as positive goals. The hardest part can be writing this in all positive statements, but when you do, they have more power to motivate you:

I look forward to getting started on my writing. I will set a timer, even if it’s for a half-hour, so that I can ignore all distractions, and focus solely on my work-in-progress. Difficult scenes are a challenge that I can, and will, rise to. I’m excited about using my writing time as a time to tune out the busy-ness in my daily life. I’m excited to use this time to forget about the real world. I will take advantage of every moment. I will remind myself that I need only to write for myself. In fact, I love it when I write for myself. My writing time will be a gift I give myself.

How can anyone argue with that?

Do you think this will work for you? If you try it, I’d like to know how it worked for you!


Linda K. Sienkiewicz is a writer, poet, and artist.
Learn more about her multi-award winning novel, In the Context of Love.
Learn more about her picture book, Gordy and the Ghost Crab.

Learn more about her poetry chapbook, Security

Thank you for visiting!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: creative writing coach, motivation, procrastination, writing tips

Comments

  1. theoldbarndoor says

    January 2, 2014 at 3:52 pm

    Great post Linda and so timely. It is important not to leave it to chance and HOPE you will achieve something. This is a great approach and one that anyone can try. Best of luck and let us know how it works out for you

    • Linda K Sienkiewicz says

      January 3, 2014 at 10:50 pm

      I agree, Patricia. This simple exercise can be applied to almost any venture when we need a kick in the pants. Thanks for stopping by!

  2. rapala pro fishing cheats says

    September 20, 2014 at 8:02 pm

    Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I will definitely digg it and personally
    suggest to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this site.

  3. Patti Eddington says

    June 20, 2022 at 9:35 am

    Perfect advice.

    • Linda K Sienkiewicz says

      June 20, 2022 at 10:24 am

      Isn’t it though? Thanks for stopping by, Patti. Happy writing!

  4. Anonymous says

    June 20, 2022 at 9:38 am

    Great suggestions!

    • Linda K Sienkiewicz says

      June 20, 2022 at 10:24 am

      Glad it works for you!

About Linda

Award- winning writer, poet & artist. Cynical optimist. Super klutz. Corgi fan. Author of two novels, a children's picture book, and five poetry chapbooks. More here.

Follow this Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to Linda's blog...

Categories

  • Agents & Querying (7)
  • Art & Crafting (20)
  • Books (69)
  • Grief and Loss (19)
  • In the Context of Love (14)
  • It's Personal (231)
  • Publicity & Marketing (33)
  • What, Why, How (163)
  • Writing (112)

Let’s Connect!

Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss a giveaway, fun event, or an announcement!

Search this blog

Top Posts

  • Proper use of "I" and "Me" - Grammar Basics
  • Book Art: Crafting Paper Roses
  • Blackout Poetry - as creative as you want to get
  • Gen Z “Chaos Theory” Fashion
  • Quick Bicycle Helmet Visor How-to
  • What's so special about Howard Street?

Blog Tags

Agents anxiety art books children's books childrens books Christmas Clementine corgi crafting creativity Detroit dogs family fantasy Fiction grammar grief Historical Fiction humor idol talk loss love marketing memoir motivation Music mystery nonfiction novel pandemic poet poetry Publishing reading romance sewing sexual assault shame short stories social media storytelling suicide writing writing tips
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Recent News
  • Social Media

Recent Blog Posts

  • Not Everyone is Going to Like You
  • What, Why, How: Poet Karin Hoffecker
  • Dinner with Elmore Leonard (sort of)
  • Beyond the Smile: Elevating Character and Emotions in Writing
  • A (Mostly) Clean Challenge: Writing a Novel with Minimal Profanity
  • The entertaining side of Chat GPT
  • Yous got the last laugh: How my husband’s favorite pronoun was vindicated
  • What, Why, How: author Kate Woodworth

Blog Tags

Agents anxiety art books children's books childrens books Christmas Clementine corgi crafting creativity Detroit dogs family fantasy Fiction grammar grief Historical Fiction humor idol talk loss love marketing memoir motivation Music mystery nonfiction novel pandemic poet poetry Publishing reading romance sewing sexual assault shame short stories social media storytelling suicide writing writing tips

Search

Let’s Connect!

Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss a giveaway, important event, or publishing announcement!

  • Home
  • Bio
  • Books
  • Blog
  • News
  • Etc.
  • Social Media
  • Email

Copyright © 2025 · Website design & development by Little Leaf

%d