Goals. It’s something writers talk a lot about. We spend time in twitter chats discussing our writing goals for the new year, we participate in #goalwars with other authors, and we even announce crazy goals on our blog and work our ass off to reach them.

I’ve even participated and pwned (yes it’s a word) the Kiersten White Challenge where she gives you some insane goal and you bust your ass and basically do nothing but write until it’s done.

But, for all this–I’m not sure I have actual written down on paper goals and what I want my writing career to look like. I think that’s probably important for several reasons.

First… Why the hell am I doing this? I mean… dude… it’s a LOT of work. Am I just doing it for fun? Well.. no that’s not it. It’s super fun, and I love the heck out of it, but that isn’t the only reason I spend my Friday and Saturday nights in a trendy coffee shop banging away on my laptop. (Okay, that part is kinda awesome, because I love froofroo coffee and I have the coolest pink computer that you ever did see.)

Am I doing this because I want to make a living at it? Well… sort of. It would be nice to support my family with something as awesome as writing. Few people get to do what they truly believe in, and I’m slowly beginning to realize that I might just get to be one of them. That part’s pretty cool, but it can’t be the reason I am doing this. If I wanted to make a living and support my family, couldn’t I just sell Pampered Chef or something. (Aside–I’d rather shoot my own self in the foot and then hop around on it for ten or so minutes than sell Pampered Chef.) So, that’s not my end game goal–but I think it might be a part of it.

I have a quote taped to my desk. It’s kind of nerdy, so just be cool and don’t make too too much fun of me–k?

I write only because
There is a voice within me
That will not be still.
—-Sylvia Plath

I guess that’s kind of true. It’s why I don’t have any real writing goals right now. I just write because I can’t stop doing it. I love the way writing kind of completes me and my day. I appreciate that my words make other people laugh, and dare I dream that someday I might get to see them in a true to life bound book?

It’s kind of nuts to think about, but it makes me realize that while goals seem like something I need… I’m not really sure how to go about even deciding what I want to happen with my career right now, and instead I’m just going to enjoy the ride.