S. W. Raine

There’s something about the end of the year and the start of a brand-new one that invites reflection, especially when I’m thinking about my 2026 writing plan. It’s that familiar whisper asking, “So… did you do what you said you would?”

As 2025 comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to look honestly at where this year landed with its wins, its missed goals, and the lessons I didn’t expect, then peek ahead at what 2026 is shaping up to be.

Looking Back at 2025: What Worked, What Didn’t, and What Surprised Me

2025 was busy.
Like, four-major-deadlines-one-after-another busy.

But despite the chaos (or maybe even because of it) there’s a lot to celebrate.

What I Published and Accomplished

This year, I:

 – Released The Techno Mage in French just in time for its fifth anniversary
– Published The Gatekeeper’s Portal (official release: December 30, which is close enough to count!)
– Attended 23 in-person events, including 3 large comic cons
– Wrote the zero draft of Project Mercenaries, book 1 of The Techno Mage’s mercenary spin-off series

And there were some bonus wins that deserve their own spotlight:

 – I continued taking classes on advertising, marketing, author business, and writing craft to strengthen my career
– I passed my income goal for the year by almost $700
– For the 4th year in a row, I made book sales every single month
— 4 of those months were double-digit
— The rest were triple-digit

Consistency like that doesn’t happen by accident, and I’m genuinely proud of it.

The Reality Check: What Didn’t Happen (and Why I’m Okay With That)

Not everything on my 2025 writing plan made it across the finish line.

Some goals quietly stepped aside while I focused on bigger, more urgent things. Others slipped into the realm of out of sight, out of mind. And I’ve made peace with that.

Here’s what didn’t happen:

 – Project Spin-Off 2 didn’t get close to publication
– I never wrote a new newsletter subscription freebie
– I didn’t experiment with steampunk choose-your-own-adventure short stories
– I didn’t try getting my books into libraries or additional bookstores
– I didn’t start writing interactive fiction or video game drafts

Why?

Because 2025 became the year of too many moving pieces at once. Translation deadlines, intensive edits for The Gatekeeper’s Portal, my annual November writing challenge, and launch prep all overlapped in ways that drained both my energy and my focus.

One of the biggest lessons I learned the hard way this year is this: I never want to still be juggling major launch tasks this close to release day again.

The stress. The task paralysis. The mental breakdown spiral moments. Not worth it.

That lesson alone is going to shape how I move forward.
Now I just have to actually listen to myself when future-me starts waving red flags. I do, unfortunately, have a habit of nodding wisely and then doing the opposite…

The Biggest Surprise of 2025

Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, something unexpected happened.

I got clarity.

I’ve known for a while that I want to be a multi-media storyteller, but this year, that dream sharpened into something more specific. I realized that the next branch I want to explore isn’t interactive fiction/video games…

It’s screenwriting.

That realization latched on and refused to let go. And despite the fear that comes with starting something new from scratch, my heart races with excitement when I think about it.

And that’s good enough for me.

2026: The Year I Chase My Big Dreams

If 2025 was about endurance, 2026 is about foundations.

I’m building systems, processes, habits, and projects that support not just the next book—but the next era of my creative life.

Because I have big dreams, and I’m done waiting for them to happen.

I’m chasing them.

My 2026 Writing Plan

This 2026 writing plan is ambitious, designed to build strong foundations while chasing bigger creative dreams.

Yes, it’s bold.
Yes, it’s a little unhinged.
And yes, it’s completely intentional.

Publishing Goals

 – Get Project Spin-Off 2 as close to publication as possible, aiming for 2027
– Publish CYOA 1
– Get Rise of the Sky Pirate‘s French translation as close to publication as possible, with a goal of January 11, 2027, its five-year anniversary
– Publish hardcovers of The Elemental’s Guardian and The Gatekeeper’s Portal

Distribution Goals

 – Get my books into 1 library
– Get my books into 4 more bookstores

This part still scares me. Fear of rejection is very real, even when the worst possible outcome is simply a polite “no.” My nervous system doesn’t always get the memo that a “no” isn’t a threat yet… but I’m working on it.

Event Goals

 – Attend at least 12 in-person events
– Get into 4 comic cons

Creative Expansion Goals

 – Submit a short script to a contest
– Record the audiobook of The Techno Mage, funds permitting

A Note on Systems, Focus, and Becoming Someone New

One of the most important things I did this year wasn’t publishing-related at all.

I had to admit that my old systems—the way I planned, scheduled, and prioritized tasks—were no longer serving me.

So I asked for help.

I tore down processes that weren’t working and started building new ones that actually support how my brain works, not how I wish it worked. Focus struggles don’t magically disappear just because you have big dreams… but you can build scaffolding that makes them possible.

And maybe that’s the real shift of 2026.

Not becoming more disciplined but becoming more honest about what I need to succeed.

2025 didn’t go exactly as planned (do the years ever?), but I learned, I clarified, and I kept moving.

And now?

Now I’m standing at the edge of something bigger. Carrying those lessons forward is exactly what shaped my 2026 writing plan and why it feels both bold and necessary.

So here’s to 2026:
A year of foundations.
A year of bold experiments.
A year of chasing big dreams mischievously, stubbornly, and with just enough magic to make it interesting.

What about you? Are there any big dreams you’re ready to chase in 2026?

Raine