📚I Failed My Writing Goals

+ my new writing goals for 2026

So it’s the beginning of a new year, and that means one thing:

Setting. Goals.

Writing-related ones, to be specific. But before I share what my writing goals are for 2026, I wanted to do a quick recap of my 2025 writing goals (spoiler: it wasn’t great).

And be sure you’re subscribed to see how my writing progresses this year!

2025 Writing Goals Recap

• finish editing my book

  • finish 3rd draft

  • finish potential 4th draft

  • send to editor and beta readers

  • incorporate feedback

• get a literary agent

• prepare for submission

• brainstorm and outline my next book idea

• read 3 writing craft books

• read 12 books in various genres

• get a publishing job in NYC

So which of these goals did I achieve? Ha. One. I achieved one of these goals. Yeah. Absolutely brutal. The only writing-related goal I accomplished last year was completing my 3rd draft. (I also potentially read 12 books, but honestly I didn’t count, so I’m not positive). But yeah. It was certainly not the productive year I’d been envisioning.

But failing my goals taught me an important lesson. It taught me what the purpose of goals truly is — to motivate us.

Last year, I set goals based on what I WANTED to happen, not what was actually reasonable and attainable. My 2026 writing goals were one big brainstorming list of everything that I wanted to manifest. It was an idealistic dream, not a realistic vision.

Setting all of these lofty goals did the opposite of motivating me. It made me not even want to work towards them, because I knew there was no way I was going to be able to achieve even a portion of them. I was setting myself up for disappointment, constantly feeling like I was behind.

So instead of making goals based on an ideal vision of what I someday wish to achieve, I’m focusing on what I can realistically do this year. Then I’ll (hopefully) be able to accomplish them, which will in turn motivate me to write. And that’s the whole point of setting goals in the first place.

My Writing Goals for 2026

Finish Editing Draft 4

I just finished my read through of the third draft and am about to start editing draft 4, which will be my line editing draft. I’m hoping to have it done by the end of May/June, but it’s so hard to project a realistic writing deadline, especially before I begin a new draft, because I have no clue how long it’s going to take. Some chapters/drafts need a ton of work, while others don’t need much at all.

But I want to make sure I’m not rushing the process and that I let it take however long it needs. I’ll probably get a better idea if this is a realistic timeline after I line-edit a few chapters and figure out how much time they require. But regardless, I should definitely be able to finish this draft sometime this year.

Send Manuscript to Editor

Once I’m done with the fourth draft, I’m going to send my manuscript to an editor for them to tear it apart (which I’m excited yet terrified for haha). The writing course I’m taking has editors who once worked for the Big 5 publishing houses, so they’re well-experienced in editing books and providing feedback. It will take them on average 1-2 months to edit it, so I’ll be working on my next goal during that time.

Brainstorm and Outline My New Fantasy Book

While my manuscript is being edited, I still want to exercise my creative muscles. So I figured this would be the perfect time to outline my new fantasy book idea. I’ve already been loosely plotting it for a couple of years, jotting down any ideas that pop into my head on my phone’s notes app. I’ve also written the first chapter and roughly sketched out a few other scenes.

But I want to take all of that raw material and form it into a semi-logical structure that can serve as the basis for the book. From there, I’ll expand on it and create a fully fleshed-out plot and characters. I’ve also decided I want to try to do a very detailed outline this time around (almost like a draft zero), complete with dialogue and stage directions. I didn’t do this with my first book, Project Seashell, so I want to play around with my writing process and see how I like it.

Incorporate Feedback (Eeek!)

Once my editor is done assessing my manuscript, they will provide me with an edit letter and some in-line examples of how to strengthen both my story as a whole and my writing. Once I decide what feedback I agree with, I’ll get to work incorporating it into my book.

I’m excited about this part because I want to learn how to become a better writer and how to improve my story. Getting an outside perspective will illuminate things that I didn’t even know needed to be fixed. But at the same time, it can be hard to take feedback, especially on something as precious as a creative project that’s had hundreds (or even thousands) of hours poured into it.

So I have a feeling I may struggle with this step of the process. But I need to get used to taking feedback if I want to become a published author, so I’m going to try to see this as good practice for the future.

Read 1 Writing Craft Book

Last year, I said that I wanted to read 3 writing craft books, and I ended up reading zero. So I’m hoping that by setting a goal of just one, I’ll actually be able to do it. I’m planning on reading a craft book about story structure, as I need to refresh my memory on the necessary plot beats. This will help me when outlining my next book idea.

Read 12 Novels

I wanted to set this goal not only because I love reading, but also because it makes me a better writer. Consuming well-written stories and chapters and sentences is creative fuel for my brain to then use in my own writing.

Also, I had said I wanted to expand what genres I read last year, but now I’m just accepting that I have my favorites, and I’m fine with that. When I read what I love (e.g., fantasy and romance), then I am more excited to do it and therefore don’t get into reading slumps. So I’m not going to force myself to read things that I don’t want to just because. It’s not worth it for me to feel like I’m dragging myself through an entire novel.

Build a Writing Community

The last goal on my list is to really build and foster a writing community this year. I’ve been writing virtually with a few writer friends for the past couple of months, and it has made a world of difference. I’ve realized how nice it is to write with other people, even if you’re not talking, because you feel like you’re in it together.

Also, having people to celebrate your writing wins with, as well as help you through your struggles, is so nice. Writing can be lonely, so sharing the process with other writers who get what it’s like makes it a lot less isolating.

If finding a writing community is something you’re looking for this year, too, then stay tuned because I’m going to be launching some community-focused things on my Substack very soon. From live writing sessions where we can all work on our books together, to a subscriber chat where we can talk about our projects, there will be all kinds of ways to meet and connect with other writers.

I’m so excited to really develop this community this year, and can’t wait to get to know you all better. Also, if you have any ideas for community-focused features that you want to see, DM me or drop them in the comments below (:

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How did your writing goals for 2025 go? What are your new goals for this year? Let me know in the comments!