It can often be tempting just to let your writing go with the flow and, if that works for you, fair enough. However, many of us writers need a bit more structure to things if we’re ever going to finish a project. This is where a writing action plan comes in. You might have a fairly basic writing action plan that includes just a few key details of what you want to do and when, or you might decide to go much more detailed to keep yourself on the right track.

Whatever you decide, here are five tips to help you decide on your own writing action plan.

Define your goals

Probably the first thing you will need to do is to decide what your writing goals actually are. Think big: what are the broad aims of your writing right now? Do you want to finish the draft of a novel? Find a publisher? Learn how to self-publish? You might have one goal or you might have several; it all depends on what you’re currently working on.

Set smaller objectives

Once you’ve got your big goals defined, it might help you to set smaller objectives. Say, for instance, that your big goal is to finish the first draft of a novel. What are the smaller steps you would need to take to get there? You might include steps such as creating a clearly defined plan for your novel, or make each chapter a smaller goal in its own right.

Define your timetable

Your writing action plan will also benefit from a defined timetable of what you’re going to do and when. Look at when you want to finish your book, for example, and then work out how much you’re going to have to achieve each week in order to make that happen. It might sound like it’s taking all the fun out of writing, but if you do have a deadline that you need to meet, it’s a practical approach to take – even without a looming deadline, creating a timetable also gives you an end in sight and helps to stop projects dragging on for longer than they should.

Locate useful resources

It’s also worth thinking about the support you’ll need to achieve your action plan. For instance, would you benefit from some expert editing advice to get your book into top shape, or do you need the services of a cover designer on your way to self-publishing your first book? Do you need to create a better environment for yourself to write in, or arrange for you to have some ‘alone time’ each week so you can get things done?

Give yourself some breathing space

Finally, it can be useful to build a small amount of breathing space into your writing action plan – just in case one part takes longer than you first expected, and so you’re not rushing to get everything done. A certain amount of flexibility can help you to relax, while the plan will still give you the structure you need to achieve your writing goals.

Do you have an action plan for your writing, or do you prefer to take things as they come?