How to Set SMART Writing Goals That Actually Work in 2026

We believe in you! Here’s a plan to help you finish drafts, find agents, and achieve your dreams.

We know, we know. Goal fatigue is real, especially in January. Should you aim for a daily diet of X words a day? (We’ve heard of some writers enjoy 500 words daily.) Should you focus on querying–getting as many out as you possibly can before your Mr. Coffee goes on strike? Or should you apply for awards, that objective “I can really do this” that will change everything?

The truth is, your best way to keep going usually includes both aspiration and actionable steps–and that’s where SMART goals come in.

The Problem with Pie-in-the-Sky Goals

Look, we love pie. At our last member lounge, a goal-setting session for 2026, one of our writers even shared a recipe. (We had no idea grapes could become pie, but we’re happy to learn new things. Recipe here, courtesy of member Geno.)

Many writers have a long list: land a six-figure book deal, see their name in lights, hit the NYT bestseller list every week, and win a Pulitzer. We love this for you, and if any of these things happen, we hope you’ll tell us. (We love good news.)

These “pie-in-the-sky goals” are important—they keep you motivated and dreaming big—but they have a fatal flaw: you can’t control them.

Look, we don’t think you’re going to girlboss too close to the sun.

We’re worried you’ll burn out and doubt yourself when they don’t happen on your schedule.

No matter how talented you are or how polished your manuscript is, you can’t make an agent say yes. You can’t force a publisher to offer a deal. You can’t guarantee sales numbers or even that Goodreads doesn’t give you one-star reviews. When your entire measure of success depends on factors outside your control, you set yourself up for frustration and disappointment–the exact ingredients that might make you give up.

And giving up is bad for everyone, yourself included.

Enter SMART Goals

SMART goals are different. They’re:

Specific – Clearly defined and focused
Measurable – You can track your progress
Attainable – Within your power to achieve
Relevant – Aligned with your writing priorities
Time-bound – Have a specific deadline

The beauty of SMART goals is that they put you in the driver’s seat.

You don’t need an agent’s approval or an editor’s offer. You just need commitment and consistency.

5 SMART Goals Every Writer Should Consider

1. Build a Daily Writing Habit

Example Goal: Write 500 words per day, 5 days a week, for the next 12 weeks, tracking progress in a spreadsheet.

This goal is specific (500 words), measurable (you can count), attainable (most writers can do this), relevant (consistent practice improves craft), and time-bound (12 weeks). Missing a day? Write 1,000 words the next day to catch up. (Just don’t be mean to yourself if you end up missing a bunch of days. Just like trying to add a calorie deficit that makes up for the holidays, you’ll just end up miserable. And miserable is NOT the goal.)

2. Complete a First Draft

Example Goal: Complete the first draft of a 70,000-word novel by writing 1,000 words per session, finishing by [date of your choice].

This is essentially the NaNoWriMo approach extended over more time, making it more sustainable. Break it down: 70 sessions at 1,000 words each gives you a complete draft.

3. Revise Your Manuscript

Example Goal: Revise one chapter per week and complete a full revision by [date of your choosing].

Revision is where the magic happens, and breaking it into weekly chunks makes the process less daunting. This goal ensures steady progress without burnout.

4. Read and Study Craft

Example Goal: Read 12 books in my genre, one per month by December 31st, taking notes on style, pacing, and structure. Include at least one craft book per quarter.

Reading actively—with a highlighter and notebook—is one of the best ways to improve your writing. Study what published authors in your genre do well.

Also note what you don’t like and could totally do better.

Pettiness can be a great motivator.

5. Submit Work Consistently

Example Goal: Submit one short story or article per month to vetted publications for the next 6 months, tracking responses in a submission spreadsheet. For novels: send out 10 queries, and send one additional query for each rejection received.

The querying process requires persistence. This goal ensures you’re always putting your work out there, and it builds in resilience—each rejection prompts immediate action.

Why SMART Goals Actually Work

Here’s what makes SMART goals so powerful for writers:

You control the outcome. No waiting for agents or editors to validate your success. You set the goal, you do the work, you measure the results.

They build sustainable habits. Small, consistent actions compound over time. A year of 500 words per day is 91,250 words—a full novel draft.

They reduce anxiety. When you know what you need to do each day or week, you don’t waste energy wondering if you’re “doing enough.”

They create accountability. Trackable goals let you honestly assess your progress and adjust as needed.

The Cribbage Rules of Writing

As author and Manuscript Academy co-founder Julie Kingsley explains, writing is like the card game cribbage—there are so many rules that you can’t learn them all before you start playing. You discover new layers of craft with each project.

“You get to a place, and then you learn a new rule,” Kingsley says. “And then you get to a place, and then you learn a new rule. That’s frustrating about writing, but it’s also one of the things that makes it amazing, because when you’re around long enough, you start having all of those rules as just part of your being.”

This is why SMART goals matter so much. You can’t control how quickly you master every nuance of craft, but you can control how consistently you show up to learn.

Balancing Dreams with Action

Don’t abandon your pie-in-the-sky goals entirely. Write them down. Put them in a mason jar (Julie likes mason jars; Jessica only uses them for making jam) under your bed or create a vision board. Let them inspire you. But don’t use them as your primary measure of success.

Instead, focus your daily energy on SMART goals. Control what you can control: your word count, your revision schedule, your submission strategy, your craft development.

As Stephen King says, “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration. The rest of us just get up and go to work.”

Your 2026 Action Plan

Ready to set your own SMART goals? Here’s how to get started:

Spend 5 minutes on pie-in-the-sky goals. Write down your wildest dreams without censoring yourself. Put them somewhere meaningful.
Spend 15 minutes on SMART goals. Write at least 10 specific goals for 2026. Make sure each one passes the SMART test.
Choose your top 3 priorities. Which goals will have the biggest impact on your writing career this year?
Set up tracking systems. Create a spreadsheet, use a habit tracker app, or keep a simple journal. Make it easy to monitor your progress.
Review regularly. Check in monthly to see how you’re doing. Adjust goals if needed, celebrate wins, and course-correct if you’re falling behind.

The Bottom Line

Writing success isn’t about talent or luck—it’s about consistent, focused effort over time. SMART goals give you a roadmap for that effort. They transform vague hopes into concrete plans.

So dream big about movie deals and bestseller lists. But today? Today, you’re going to write 500 words. You’re going to revise one chapter. You’re going to read one craft book. You’re going to send one query.

That’s how writers build careers. One SMART goal at a time.

Ready to take your writing to the next level? The Manuscript Academy offers workshops, critique sessions, and community support to help you achieve your goals. Learn more about our programs.

Resources:

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