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Goals and resolutions. You either love them or hate them. I’ve always fallen in the latter camp. In fact, it’s been a while since I’ve set any goals. Why make a goal if you’re going to just fail? At least that’s how it often felt.
But goals don’t have to be dreary. I recently watched a video recently about “auditing” what’s working and what’s not in your life and considering what writing/publishing tasks you enjoyed and what you didn't. Bethany Atazadeh, YA Fantasy Writer:
Looking Back: 2025 Reflections
What went well in 2025?
My biggest win from 2025 is that I finished my edits on my middle-grade contemporary. I just sent it out to beta readers. After working on this book for over three years and rewriting it from scratch, this feels huge! Not to mention that this is the first novel length manuscript I've completed in nine years.
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Writing this book sometimes felt like a never-ending home repair project. Photo by Theme Photos on Unsplash |
What didn't work?
For most of the year, non-writing things seeped into my writing time. This became a vicious cycle of not prioritizing my writing time and resenting or blaming other things when I didn't make much progress.
What changed in 2025?
1. I started treating writing like a job. I committed to writing at least two hours a day most days. Now that is only possible for me because of a flexible schedule. When I drafted this book, I squeezed time in before work and typed it on the weekends.
But committing to a certain time of day as my writing time helped me to push through the hard parts. Learning to say no to things that steal my mental energy was also key. Thinking time is just as important as time at the computer.
The number one reason books don't get finished is this: Writers say yes to other things. --Heather Sellers, Chapter After Chapter*
2. I gave myself a deadline. Asking betas before I needed them gave me a date for finishing my manuscript. It's so easy with writing or other creative projects to just put things off, because no one cares as much as you do about your creative project. The biggest difference this year was treating creativity and writing as a good use of my time.
Looking Forward: 2026 Goals
1. Revising and Revisiting Old Projects
Revise a previous manuscript that has good bones but needs some work. After a fantastic brainstorming session with my husband and new research, I’m cautiously optimistic about reshaping an old story into a new and improved one. Maybe I've finally grown enough as a writer to do it justice. Do you ever revisit old projects, or are you planning on trying something completely new?
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| Photo by Julie Molliver on Unsplash |
2. Developing Consistency
Continue to write most days consistently, but give myself grace when I don't. While it's important to write consistently, we go through seasons when it's not possible. Sometimes, we put in less work at different stages. (Drafting is less intense for me than editing.). How do you stay consistent?
3. Learning New Things
In 2025, I started exploring new social media platforms and learning more about marketing. Surprisingly, I’ve enjoyed it, especially playing around with Canva and Instagram. I want to keep learning and growing in this area. What's something new you're trying this year?
Personal Growth Goals: Finding Balance
Being more focused has a downside. It's easy to get lost in the flow of a project and not take breaks or recharge. So, I’m aiming to keep exercising regularly, pursuing my creative passions like watercolors, and setting time limits on social media. And of course, reading a ton as always!
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| Photo by Haley Phelps on Unsplash |
Do you have any personal goals for 2026? How are you making time for rest and rejuvenation this year?
I want to hear from you!
What went well for you this past year? And what are you hoping to carry (or leave behind) as you move into the next one?
Let me know in the comments!
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HNY. Anonymously Esther O'Neill, East of the Sun, no google account and still no signal either. Why ? Visual impact objections to a mast, raised and raised again by powerful people, far too successfully. Imagine a road accident, casulaties include very small kids, to phone emergency services, you need to run, fast, half mile to the nearest landline, . Seriously considering a new opposition group, calling it 75007. - postcode for that high visual impact mast in Paris.
ReplyDeleteDevastating ID fraud prompted me to drop out of all social media, several years ago. but late last year, I joined another writers' group, committed to face to face meetings and peer review - first 2,000 word sample due Jan 15th. . Revisiting, hopefully rewriting crime fiction, backed now by first hand experience. .
I'm sorry to hear that you've had so many issues with your internet and ID theft. Good for you joining a writing group, which gives you a deadline! Yes, even our hard times are good material, aren't they? I hope 2026 is better for you!
DeleteCongrats on finishing the edits on your MG manuscript. That's awesome. And you can get a lot done writing two hours a day. It's great that you're so committed.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Natalie!
DeleteNine years is a long time.
ReplyDeleteDeadlines really help me as well as I tend to procrastinate otherwise.
Yes, it's so easy to procrastinate! The hard thing is when you're a writer you often have to set your own deadlines, and I can easily ignore those. :)
DeleteI enjoyed reading your reflections on your past year and your goals. I have long stopped making resolutions, (for me, this is a sure way to have them crack, then break, and then be abandoned) but goals, or what I think of as "self-assignments", are a positive and constructive way to get things done.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about resolutions, but I do like having goals, whether I meet them or not.
DeleteThere's been a few things that went quite well. I think I've found balance and certain amount of joy. I can't expect more. :-)
ReplyDeleteSo true! Finding joy in your writing is so important.
DeleteNicely done. I think life often gets in the way of writing so that just has to be expected!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jacqui!
DeleteWriters say yes to other things! Profound but true.
ReplyDeleteI know!
DeleteI can relate to every word in your post. I must follow your example and try to find the will to push through my procrastination.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Olga! Yes, I really do have to push myself at times, but it is so worth it.
DeleteI went YEARS before I produced another book, too. I was too busy taking care of my DLP authors.
ReplyDeleteThat's encouraging to know I'm not the only one. :)
DeleteThat's a good way to look at it! I can't say I did much right in 2025 writing-wise, but it's something to look at.
ReplyDelete