Category: The Writing Journey by Denise Colby

What My 2026 Writing Process Looks Like

It’s a new year and I’m sharing what my 2026 writing process looks like for my first post of the year. Part of this is for me to do an honest review of what is working and what is not. It also reminds me of what I need to do. I’m currently coming out of an editing phase and need to dive into writing the next book. Remembering what works for me helps. I did some of this in my December 2025 blog post as I reviewed my word for the year – flourish

Then I thought it would be helpful to write it out and share it. Holding myself accountable, but also providing others with ideas that they may have not tried yet.

I have found that there are multiple things needed in order to complete a manuscript. Some of this is what comes inside of a person. Determination. Discipline. Action.

But as many authors have asked as they write. What type of action? How do I find time? What type of schedule do I keep? How do I know if I’m doing the right things? What comes next? Asked a bazilion times, over and over.

Writing is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

When I got my contract, I had my first book finished and two rough drafts done. Or what I thought were rought drafts. I had to literally start over, and so the dates I had comitted to, I had to figure out how to deliver. It took my twelve years to write and publish the first book. Six months to write the next three. Add into that mix, editing sessions, proofing sessions, cover design, back matter, inside matter, launch team, promotions, newsletters, and the list goes on. There are a lot of things to juggle.

And you know what? I did it. I’ve released three books in the last two years, with the fourth one releasing in May 2026. Check out my Best-laid Plans Series page on Amazon.

It’s amazing when we have deadlines how we make it work.

But I also got more streamlined the further I went. This has helped me immensely.

The Writing Process I Morphed Into

By far there are a few things I know now I can’t live without in order to write, and I will continue to use these writing processes for 2026.

First is my critique group. Their feedback and support has been a continuous blessing. We send a chapter a week when we need something reviewed. Not all of us are in the writing phase so it’s not everyone sending a chapter a week. This helps. It’s like a rotation. And it has worked for us.

The next thing on my list would be the writing sprint group I belong to. It would be very easy for me to sleep in, get distracted by laundry, or not show up when it’s only myself. But having a 7am zoom call with others writers has helped not only finish three books, I have resources at my fingertips to ask during our five minute breaks.

So if you do not have a community of writers to work with, I suggest joining a local writing group, or an online group. There are many available by genre or in general. Ask here what you are looking for and I can provide links to one of the five groups I belong to (yes, five – and I love them all in different ways.)

I also set realistic weekly goals for myself. I love to cross out something on a list. So I write out all the chapters I need to write, figure out how many writing sessions (I use twenty-five minute sprints where I can write at least 500 words as my calculator) I need to do, then plan for so many words in a week.

When editing, I create a page with the chapter numbers and put a sticker by them to tell me they are done. All of this adds fun, accountability, and helps me see my goals accomplished.

Other writing tools I’ve used and will continue in 2026

Focus@will – this website has allowed me to pick music and sounds that fit my mood, and helps elevate my brain focus while writing. I feel I write stronger when I use it. It has a timer so I keep to the twenty-five minute sprints I’m now used to. 

Scrivener – this is the software I use to write my manuscripts

Apple notes – I started using this two years ago and it has worked well. It syncs between my computer, phone, and ipad, so that when an idea hits, I can capture it and then access it when and where I need to. I have built a lot of folders within notes. One folder by book. When writing the book, I have scene ideas and brainstorms, then later I put all my launch info in one note (with links).

I’ve added a research folder and put all the links to things there as I find things. Yes, Scrivener has a place for research but I use that for book specific things. The research I’m leaving in notes work across my series. So in some ways I’ve made a little story bible within notes for easy access.

Other folders I’ve added include a social media folder where I type out my posts first (so I can control the spacing and links), as well as marketing folders for newsletters, bookfunnel promotions, blog posts (I have all my links on a page). This has come in handy when I’ve needed to find things quickly. Much faster than trying to find the file I saved.

2026 Writing Process improvements

I always love starting a new year with reflection and planning. Even though I hope this year is more of the same writing process I’m already doing, I hope it continues to become more refined. so I can write and publish more books.

What is part of your writing process wheelhouse that you can share with all of us?