How Writers Can Set Achievable Goals for 2026: A Practical Guide to Planning, Deadlines, and Finishing Your Book

From Edie: Learn how to set achievable writing goals for 2026 with practical strategies for planning your writing life, breaking big projects into manageable steps, creating deadlines, and finally finishing your book. A clear, encouraging guide to help writers build consistency and confidence in the new year.

How Writers Can Set Achievable Goals for 2026: A Practical Guide to Planning, Deadlines, and Finishing Your Book

by Larry J. Leech, II @LarryJLeechII

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.”—Pablo Picasso

I first learned about goals when I married Wendy more than two decades ago. This time of the year, like many others, she starts thinking about goals for the following year. I thought it was silly. Probably because in my journalism career I spent most of the time living in the day-to-day. But I watched Wendy succeed in her personal life by setting goals. 

Now, after weeks of thinking and jotting down notes, we spend a day at a coffee shop writing our goals for the coming year in various categories. For me, that includes spiritual, health, husband, father, now grandfather, to name a few, and, of course, my professional path.

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”—C.S. Lewis

Some of the goals take weeks or even months to complete. So, I need to break down the goal into manageable chunks. For example, using this illustration I often use with new writers: 

You want to write a 60,000-word book in six months.

That equates to 10,000 words a month. 

With four weeks in a month, that comes out to 2,500 words a week. 

Writing five days a week reduces that number to 500 words a day, about two pages of a Word doc of Times New Roman, 12 point, double spaced.

Not bad. Doable if one struggles to carve out large chunks of time to write. I never suggest that anyone, particularly new writers, try to write seven days a week. 

If an editor or agent requested material—book proposal, full manuscript—recently, pick a date, if you haven’t already, that you will send the material. Let’s say you want to send between January 2 and January 15. Just picking a random timeframe. Doesn’t have to be that one. After selecting a date, set deadlines (goals) for things that need done on the project. 

Those are just two examples. Do the same with everything connected with your writing. Break down the process. Into smaller chunks. Manageable actions. I’ve written before that we are a deadline-driven industry. While you think about and eventually write down your goals for 2026, assign deadlines. Get accustomed to making deadlines. Making them, even if self-assigned, is a often overlooked habit, but provides a wonderful sense of peace.

“If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.”—Lawrence J. Peter

And when you hit a goal, celebrate. This writing journey, as I’m sure you know, is a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy the journey!

But first, set a goal. 

TWEETABLE

How Writers Can Set Achievable Goals for 2026: A Practical Guide to Planning, Deadlines, and Finishing Your Book

Usually with a hot beverage nearby, Larry J. Leech II spends his days working with words—as a writing coach of award-winning authors, as well as Acquisitions Editor and Master Book Coach for Illumify Media. More than forty years ago, Larry started his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania where he covered prep sports, college sports, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. In 2004, after 2,300 published articles, Larry shifted to book publishing. Since that time, he has ghostwritten thirty books, edited more than 450 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. For nearly two decades Larry has taught at numerous general market and inspirational conferences nationwide. When he has a minute, Larry likes to hang out on Facebook and Instagram. You can also find out more about him on his website: larryleech.com.