Well, Reader, this year has been a hot mess, hasn’t it? 😮💨
The death of my mom and father-in-law.
Being diagnosed with lupus and spending June down sick with bronchial phenomena and a partially collapsed lung.
Nearly dying from an antibiotic allergic reaction. 😵
The rise of fascism and the collapse of our Republic.
And let’s not forget a construction crew clipping a gas line and blowing up a house a mile from my home. 🔥
With all that going on, I didn’t exactly accomplish everything I set out to in 2025. In fact, to someone on the outside, it might look like I was a laze-about good-for-nothing. 😒
But you and I know better. We know I put in a valiant effort. And maybe you did too.
Maybe you—like me—didn’t accomplish everything you set out to do, either. And maybe you’re feeling the pressure to pile on even MORE resolutions and goals for 2026.
DON’T. Don’t do it.
Because the world was enough of a dumpster fire this year. So I say forget regrets and resolutions and try these 3 things for 2026 instead:
1) Create that Dream Project
What’s a creative project you’ve always wanted to make, but never seem to have the time to start? 🤔
Maybe that Dark Academia where they train dragons? 🪄🐉
Or that Cottagegore retelling of The Velveteen Rabbit? 🐇
Or maybe a sports rivalry romance on the moon in the year 2284. 🥍🌕
In 2026:
Spend 20 mins a day on your dream project. Now 20 mins might not seem like a lot, but 20x365 days is 7,300 mins or over 120 hours of story creation time in a year!
Just imagine what you could create in that time?!
2) Level up a Skill
What’s a skill you wish you were better at?
Maybe you wish your characters felt more real?
Or that your dialogue flowed more naturally?
Or maybe it’s that editing didn’t feel like stepping on LEGOs while having a tooth pulled?
In 2026:
Spend 1 hour a week leveling up that creative skill.
✴️ Find a dialogue prompt and write conversations between characters.
✴️ Randomly generate a basic character and then flesh them out into something more than breathing scenery.
✴️ Study writing resources like The Chicago Manual of Style to polish up your writing and cut down on editing time.
3) Just For Fun Projects
The pressure to be “perfect” can be a lot. And in our current day and age, Reader, it can often feel like you’re expected to perform flawlessly in front of a live studio audience every time you touch the keyboard. So having a project that’s just for you can be a real lifesaver.
In 2026:
Spend 1 hour a week on a just-for-fun project.
✴️ You can use it to experiment with a new genre.
✴️ Try out a new voice, writing style, or tense POV.
✴️ And remember, you’re not obligated to share it with anyone, so there’s no pressure.
Well, Reader, I hope these 3 tips help you in 2026. And until next year, this is your friendly neighborhood storytelling Kat wishing you a wonderfully creative holiday!
Your cohort in storytelling,
Kat Vancil
🐱
PS 👉 Be kind to yourself. Remember to stay hydrated. And enjoy your favorite holiday movie, you’ve earned it!
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Footnotes: Stay motivated to finish your novel
Caroline Donahue, MA
I'm an American writer, writing coach, and podcaster living in Berlin. I've hosted the award-winning Secret Library podcast since 2016, am the author of Story Arcana: Tarot for Writers, and have helped dozens of students complete their novel drafts and revise their books with my courses Dream to Draft and Next Draft. |
