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How to Set Up Writing Targets in Scrivener
Edited 1 month ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
ScrivenerWriting TargetsGoalsProgressTrackingProductivityMacToolsWritingMotivation
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Scrivener is a robust writing software designed to meet the needs of writers. Many writers and authors love using Scrivener because of its unique features, including project tracking. One of the most useful features of Scrivener is the ability to set writing goals. This feature enables writers to keep track of their writing progress and helps them meet deadlines through specific goals. This guide will introduce you to the process of setting writing goals in Scrivener.
Understanding writing goals in Scrivener
Setting writing goals in Scrivener involves setting specific writing goals in terms of word count or time. This helps writers stay organized, motivated, and productive. Comprehensive writing goal tools allow you to set and manage both project-wide goals and individual session goals.
Project goals
Project goals relate to an entire writing project. You can determine how many words you want to write in total, set a deadline, and track your progress toward meeting that deadline. This feature allows you to see if you're on track and what adjustments you may need to make to your writing routine.
Session goals
On the other hand, session goals focus on smaller, daily writing goals. This goal can motivate you to achieve smaller writing milestones. When combined with project goals, session goals boost productivity and help break down larger writing tasks into manageable pieces.
Benefits of using writing goals
Writing goals in Scrivener offer several benefits, including:
- Clear focus on writing goals
- Ability to visually monitor progress
- Achieving small goals increases motivation
- Advanced time management
A step-by-step guide to setting writing goals
Let's take a closer look at how you can set writing goals in Scrivener:
Step 1: Open your project in Scrivener
Start by launching the Scrivener application and opening the project for which you want to set goals. Once your project is open, focus on the main toolbar at the top of the screen.
Step 2: Access the project target window
Find "Project" located on the toolbar and click on it. In the dropdown menu, you will see an option called "Show Project Targets...". Click on it to open the Project Targets window.
Step 3: Determine the overall project goal
In the Project Targets window, you will see two sections: "Draft Target" and "Session Target." Start by setting a goal for the overall project. Under the "Draft Target" section, enter your desired word count goal for the entire project. You can also specify a deadline, which will help Scrivener calculate the recommended daily word count to meet your goal on time.
Example: Setting a draft goal of 50,000 words
If you're participating in something like NaNoWriMo, you might want to set a draft goal of 50,000 words a month. You'd input 50,000 in the "Draft Goal" text box and select the end of the month as your deadline. Scrivener will then calculate how many words you need to write each day to meet this goal.
Step 4: Adjust session goals
Next, focus on the “Session Goal” section inside the Project Targets window. Here, you can set a smaller, more immediate writing goal for each writing session. This session goal can be adjusted based on your personal productivity preferences.
Example: Daily session goal is 1,667 words
Continuing the NaNoWriMo example, you would need to write 1,667 words per day to reach your 50,000-word goal by the end of the 30-day month. You can specify this number under the "Session Goal" section to help you stay on track daily.
Step 5: Customize additional settings
Scrivener allows you to further customize your writing goals. You can specify whether to count words or characters, adjust session settings to only count writing done in selected sections, and integrate break days into your writing schedule. Explore these options to better mold your writing goals to suit your writing habits.
Progress monitoring
Once your goals are set, Scrivener provides a comprehensive way to monitor your progress. Keep an eye on the progress bar in the Project Targets window. There are indicators that show how close you are to meeting your session and project goals.
Visual progress bars
As you move toward your goals, these bars fill up, providing a visual incentive to stay on track. A green bar indicates you're on track, yellow means you're close, and red indicates you're lagging behind your goals. This color-coded system provides an at-a-glance assessment of your progress.
Adjusting goals
Sometimes goals need to be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances or changes in the project scope. To adjust, return to the Project Goals window and modify the figures as needed. Flexibility is important, and Scrivener allows for changes to accommodate your evolving writing needs.
Tracking missed deadlines
If you miss a session's target, Scrivener gives you the option to carry over the remaining word count to the next session. This flexibility ensures that missed targets do not hinder overall progress, but instead distributes the additional work to subsequent writing sessions.
Tips for using writing goals effectively
Although setting writing goals in Scrivener is simple, their effectiveness can be maximized by following a few best practices:
Set realistic goals
It is important to set realistic goals that align with your writing routine and ability. Consider your daily schedule and writing pace to set achievable goals that won't cause unnecessary stress.
Regular review and adjustments
Review your progress regularly and adjust goals if necessary. Life events, research demands, or creative directions may require you to reevaluate your originally set goals.
Complemented with other features
Use other Scrivener features like the corkboard, binder, and outliner to accomplish your writing goals. These tools help organize ideas and chapters, providing a clear roadmap for your writing project.
Take a break
Avoid burnout by taking necessary breaks. Break days can be included in Scrivener's goal settings, ensuring you maintain a healthy balance between writing and rest.
Celebrate milestones
Reaching a writing goal is an accomplishment. To keep motivation high throughout your writing journey, be sure to celebrate your accomplishments, whether big or small.
Conclusion
Writing goals are an invaluable part of Scrivener's offerings, promoting goal-driven writing and productivity. Using the tips and steps in this guide, you can efficiently set long-term and short-term writing goals and achieve them. Through a mix of realistic goal setting, regular monitoring, and adaptability, your writing projects can flow smoothly from concept to completion using Scrivener as a helpful tool. As you continue to hone your craft, writing goals in Scrivener will prove exemplary in helping you unlock your full writing potential, one word at a time.
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