Questions tagged [goal]

This tag should be used for typical goals that a writer could set for themselves, for example to become better in their hobby or profession, or for the goals a character might set for themselves.

This tag should be used for typical goals that a writer could set for themselves, for example to become better in their hobby or profession. You should use this tag when you are asking a question about setting goals for yourself or for questions about how goals are typically set. For example you could ask about typical daily word counts or yearly publications.

When asking a question about a goal you should describe what the contraints are:

  • How much do you allocate for the specific activity?
  • What problems do you see?
  • Why do you want to achieve this goal?

When you want to ask a question about character goals you should think about what you are having trouble with. Is it the character's personality? Or their adventure so far? What are your plans for the character and why are they difficult to achieve with the current setup?

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How much planning should go on before beginning writing?

I really want to begin my first novel, but I'm just not sure how clear of an outline I should have before I start. Is a detailed synopsis of each chapter really necessary, or is it enough to just go in with an outline and key events?
bennybdbc
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What is a good daily word count goal?

As a NaNoWriMo participant, I've been trying to meet a rather ambitious 1667 word/day goal. I've heard that professionals do a lot less, but the first two days of this month, I actually wrote 5000 words/day, so I know it's possible. Quantity over…
Johnny
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Why does all scene writing advice insist on the scene lead having a clear goal when this is often not practiced in bestsellers?

I've been reading a lot of books on scene writing. One thing in common--found in every single book--is that the main character in the scene should have a goal. That goal should be made obvious as early as possible and repeated often to make sure the…
Steve L
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How do you meet a writing quota?

As a parent with a full-time job, I usually have a limited amount of time to write each day. What are some tricks I can try to reach a specific word count in a specific time (e.g. 500 words in an hour). I know I've seen some things like this…
sjohnston
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How can I figure out my main character's overall goal?

I'm currently brainstorming a fantasy story, and I love the idea of my main character, but I'm having a hard time pinning down who she is as a person. I know her backstory, her family, her abilities, even her job, but for the life of me I can't…
Lily Stewart
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In a branching mystery, should branches be "self-correcting" or follow the impulse of the reader?

A mystery with 3 subplots I'm writing a branching mystery novel. It's more Raymond Chandler than Agatha Christie: the mystery is a driver-of-plot rather than a puzzle for the reader to solve. Following modern cop-show/detective tropes, the various…
wetcircuit
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Too Many Goals?

Not unsimilar to myself, my protagonist potentially has too many goals. He's isn't a likeable character (which is how I intended him) so to keep reader interest, I would like them to become invested in his projects and goals. But is it better to…
Chris Sunami
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Are plot twists always necessary for a good story?

In the story I'm writing, the protagonist writes a representational story about himself and about the fulfillment of his wish impossible in his reality. Such wish is the sub-protagonist's main goal, and it's set still at the beginning, and the rest…
Yuuza
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Multiple POV's: Am I in over my head?

Wondering if anyone with great wisdom can help me... I have 2 problems really that have pretty much stopped me writing anything decent for a few weeks. I'm on my first ever novel and have no experience with writing apart from trawling the internet…
DOC2017
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An essay on Career Goals

I have to write an essay on career goals. I am applying for a Master's program. Do I start from the basic as to why I chose the subject and how and what do I intend to do after the master's immediately and in the long run? Or do I just start from…
Wormhole
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Critique of short essay

Basically I need some critics regarding the following points: Does this description essay archive its goal (a creepy story with a 'sappy' ending)? How is the 'rhythm' of the story (is there sometimes too sudden or too long?). Pets make you feel…
wyc
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Do writing goals really work--what are the pros and cons?

I know a lot of people strongly believe in having writing goals. In addition to daily writing goals, some people will have date specific target goals to ensure they finish by a specific time. Do writing goals work for you? Why do they work? What…
Steven Drennon
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