Setting Goals for Our Writing Journey

by Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes @KHutch0767

As Christian authors, we are blessed with a unique opportunity to share our faith with the world. We can inspire and uplift our readers through our writing, providing them hope, guidance, and encouragement on their spiritual journey. However, achieving success as a Christian author is a challenging feat. It requires more than just talent and passion for writing. We need a clear understanding of our goals and a well-defined plan. 

This includes identifying our target audience, developing a solid brand, building a platform, and engaging with our readers through various channels. Additionally, we must be willing to continually grow and improve our craft, seeking out feedback and guidance and staying up to date with the latest trends and techniques in the publishing industry. With dedication, perseverance, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can achieve great success as writers and positively impact our readers’ lives.

Setting goals is a crucial aspect of our journey as authors. It not only helps us to stay focused but also keeps us motivated and accountable for our progress. As a Christian author, we can use our faith to lay a strong foundation for setting and achieving our goals. By aligning our goals with our Christian values, we can ensure our efforts are directed toward what matters. To help us in this regard, here are some tips to keep in mind while creating goals that are in line with our Christian values.

5 Things to Remember When Setting Goals for the Writing Journey

1. Seek guidance. When setting goals for ourselves, starting with a strong foundation is essential. One way to do this is by taking some time to pray and ask God for guidance. By doing so, we can invite His wisdom and direction into our lives and seek His will for the path we should follow. Whether seeking clarity on a specific goal or looking for general direction in life, prayer can be a powerful tool for gaining insight and inspiration. So before embarking on any new endeavor, let us always take the time to seek God's guidance and ask Him to show us the way forward.

2. Establish a clear vision. To set ourselves up for success, we must clearly define what we want to achieve. Once we comprehensively understand our end goal, we should write down our specific goals. These goals must be measurable and achievable to track our progress and stay motivated. Setting clear and attainable goals can increase our chances of success and allow us to focus on what matters most.

3. Align goals with our values. As Christian authors, we must align our goals. It’s also vital to ensure that our objectives are in harmony with our faith to share our message with the world effectively. This means that before embarking on any writing project, we should take the time to reflect on our values and beliefs and make sure that our goals are in line with them. By doing so, we can create content that resonates with our audience and positively impacts the world around us. Ultimately, as Christian authors, our writing should be guided by our faith and desire to make a difference in the lives of those who read our work.

4. Break down goals into smaller steps. When we set big goals for ourselves, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. However, by breaking down those big goals into smaller, more manageable steps, we can make them more achievable. To do this, we need to create a detailed plan outlining specific actions to move closer to our goals. By breaking things down this way, we can feel more in control of our progress and motivated to keep going, even when the going gets tough.

5. Hold ourselves accountable. We must take responsibility for achieving our goals. This means setting clear objectives for ourselves and holding ourselves accountable to them. We should regularly check in with ourselves to evaluate our progress and determine whether we are on track to reaching our desired outcomes. By doing so, we can identify areas where we may need to adjust our approach or put in extra effort to stay on target. It’s equally important to celebrate our successes along the way. This helps to reinforce positive behavior and maintain our motivation to continue working towards our goals. We can learn from our failures by reflecting on what went wrong and using this information to improve our strategies. Adopting a growth mindset and viewing failures as opportunities for growth can turn setbacks into stepping stones toward success.

As writers, we possess the innate ability to achieve unprecedented success and leave an indelible mark on the world through our words. By channeling our creative potential into our literary endeavors and dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly to our craft, we can realize our true calling and make a meaningful contribution to society. Let’s strive relentlessly, with unwavering passion and steadfast dedication, to create works that inspire, motivate, and transform lives. Let’s unleash our full potential and reach the pinnacle of our literary journeys, leaving a legacy that will inspire future generations.

TWEETABLE

Setting Goals for Our Writing Journey, insight from author @KHutch0767 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021). She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color),

AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel to her first general market thriller novel. Her thriller A Fifth of the Story will debut in February 2024 through Endgame Press.

Katherine flourishes in developmental editing and coaching writers. She has a twenty-year career in education, leadership, and journalism. Katherine freelances as an educational consultant for charter schools, home school programs, and churches. In this role, she has written and edited curriculum, led program development, and helped manage growth facilitating and public relations.

She also works as an editor and book coach through her consulting business. Katherine provides skill, accountability, and professionalism so clients can begin, develop, and finish their writing projects for publication.