How to Start Writing a Book (Beginner’s Guide)
March 15, 2026
How to Stay Consistent While Writing (Proven System)
March 19, 2026How to Start Writing a Book (Beginner’s Guide)
March 15, 2026How to Stay Consistent While Writing (Proven System)
March 19, 2026
How to Set Realistic Writing Goals: A Simple Beginner's Guide.
Do you continue to say to yourself, “I will write my novel tomorrow,” but nothing ever happens? You’re not alone. The majority of beginner writers do not fail due to laziness but due to their writing goals that do not fit into their lives. Lack of consistency is also a common problem among beginner writers since they are not aware of how to make realistic attainable writing aspirations. To establish realistic writing goals, you should split your novel into little tasks, which are easy to accomplish, having a regular schedule, and monitor your progress throughout the process. When you know what you want to achieve, and it is a piece you can handle, writing does not seem as daunting and is much easier to maintain. Easy formula, little goal per day + time + consistency = a draft completed. Here, you will be know how to establish writing objectives as a beginners step by step, so that you can finally start to make some actual progress on your story.
What does it mean?
Realistic writing goals are those you can accomplish given your time, energy and experience. You do not say, I will write my novel this month, but say I will write 500 words a day. Realistic writing goals are,
- Specific (write 300–500 words)
- Portable (can fit in your day-to-day routine)
- Regular (not isolated)
When a goal is stressful or unrealistic, it is likely to become overwhelming. In fiction writing, particularly novels, this is important since the writing process is a lengthy one. You do not write a book at a sitting. Scene by scene, you build it, that’s how it will be built.
You may not know where and how to begin, but a basic daily word count is a good practice to start. It is the most convenient means of measuring progress and creating consistency. Consider it in the following way, miniature steps in everyday life are more successful than grandiose, unrealistic schedules that you give up after a week.
The Step by Step Guide to Realistic Writing Goals.
Here are easy beginner-friendly steps that you can actually follow to set a realistic goal.
1. Begin with Your Time, Not Your Dream.
Don’t start by saying, “I want to write a novel.”
Begin with a single question, How much time do I really have?
And when you are active, not just in your free time? Ask yourself,
- Will I be able to write 20 minutes per day?
- Or 1 hour on weekends?
Be honest with yourself and your goals should align with your daily life.
2. Establish a Short Word Count per Day.
As a beginner, the most appropriate way is to make your daily goal small.
Try like this,
- 200-300 words/day (extremely easy)
- 500 words/day (easy)
Even if you write 200 words per day, it would sum up to 6,000 words per month. That’s really great progress.
In case you feel stress because of the number of word counts, you can also define a time-related objective, such as 20-30 minutes. It is the consistency, and not the precise number.
Many beginners finish their first draft within a few months, and some in a year or two that’s entirely normal.
3. Divide Your Novel into Little Goals.
A novel seems too big since it is a huge task and if you divide it into sections like description, characters, chapters and scenes. For example
- Week 1: Character creation
- Week 2: Story outline
- Week 3: First 3 chapters
This simplifies the process and makes it less stressful to achieve your goal. This is effective since your brain concentrates better on small and specific tasks as opposed to one big goal.
4. Select a Fixed Writing Time.
Consistency is more important than your progress. Select a time which suits you,
- Morning (fresh mind)
- Evening (after work)
- Prior to bed (quiet time)
Attempt to link your writing time with an already established habit (such as after dinner or before bed). Attempt to write somewhere every time and minimise distractions like phone, notifications. It is much easier to be consistent when you are in a focused environment. Even 20 minutes a day is effective provided you stick to it.
5. Track Your Progress
When a task is monitored, it is considered done. Simple methods to monitor are,
- Notebook checklist
- Calendar marking
- Word count tracker
Simple apps or notes on your phone are also an option, in case you want to track using digital methods. Improvement does not necessarily equate with word count. Sketching scenes or brainstorming ideas is also good, particularly in your initial stages. The visualisation of your progress will create momentum and keep you going.
6. Be Flexible, Not Perfect
If you missed a day, that’s okay. Start from where you left off on the next day. But when you miss for several days, it is not advisable to attempt to make up for the days you missed. But simply resume with the usual goal you set. It is the habit that counts, not the numbers. When speaking on realistic objectives, they have nothing to do with perfection, they are entirely related to persistence.
Examples/Mini Tips
Now, let’s look at some examples of how beginners can set their realistic writing goals.
The Busy Student
He sets a goal to write 300 words each day after his dinner and he plans like this
- His writing time is 25 minutes.
- Turn off all his distractions
- He writes and does not edit.
A timekeeper helps you stay focused and reduces the stress of writing for too long. The result is that he writes approximately 9,000 words per month, and he finishes his first draft in a few months.
The Working Professional.
She sets a goal to write 500 words on weekends and 200 words on weekdays. She plans like this
- She writes longer scenes on weekends.
- Focus on little progress usually on weekdays.
- Carry a notebook with her to jot down her ideas.
Result:
The result is that she writes her novel without burnout.
An effective writing routine helps you stay burnout-free.
Mini Tip
When writing starts to feel difficult, cut your target. It is preferable to write 100 words per day than 0 words and grand plans. Even little victories build your confidence and the confidence keeps you going.
Common Mistakes Made By Beginners
These are common traps that many beginners fall into when they set their goals and beginners must be aware of them.
- I will write 2,000 words a day, that sounds good, but it is difficult to keep. Try to set a goal that can be achieved.
- Waiting to get motivated, motivation doesn’t come, and it comes when you start writing and when you get started, you get motivated automatically. Focus on your habit, not on the feeling.
- When you are writing, if you focus on correcting your sentence, then it weakens and slows your writing. Editing and writing are two different things. Finish your first draft first and then focus on it later as both are different.
- A basic outline of your writing plan is important, and it helps you to get organised with your writing, otherwise, it can become messy. Even a very basic plan will help you stay on track.
- Comparing yourself with other writers, remember each author has his or her own pace. This is not a competition, it is your goal and focusing on your goal is important.
- Waiting to get inspired to write, you do not have to be inspired to write, start and keep going and it makes you get inspired, so don’t wait.
FAQ (People Also Ask)
Final thought
One of the secrets to completing your novel is to set realistic writing goals. You do not require additional talent or motivation; what is required is a simple and regular writing plan.
Start small. Stay consistent. Keep going.
Your novel will not be created in a day and it will be created only word by word. Begin now and have a little goal of as many as 100-200 words and write your first session.
For beginners, knowing how to overcome writer’s block is the first step and know more how to staying consistent while writing and finally learning how to write a book.
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