In the industry, December always brings the Black List (and other screenwriting lists), awards season, and a mix of possibility and exhaustion.
We get to see important unproduced work spotlighted, along with the trends driving the market. Things slow down, as Hollywood essentially closes for business by November, so it’s a great time to slow yourself down, too, and take stock of how the year went.
This is a chance to learn from what you accomplished (or didn’t) and set goals for January so you enter 2026 knowing exactly where you’re going.
Why Reflection Matters
Taking this time to reflect on your accomplishments can help you see how much you’ve accomplished, even if it feels like you’re ending the year behind your peers.
Did you finish a script? Amazing. Most people don’t even get that far. Be proud of yourself.
Maybe you took out a script that you were really proud of… and it just didn’t resonate with your current readers. That’s okay. You still accomplished something. It might not just be the best thing for right now. Put it away, come back to it later. Maybe the zeitgeist isn’t ready for it yet.
Look at everything you did this year. How many scripts did you write? How many contests did you enter? What was your feedback? Did you take any meetings?
What were the patterns in your feedback? Did everyone love your pacing but feel like the dialogue was lacking?
Did you pursue any opportunities? What were the results?
Acknowledge Your Work
When you’re writing, usually in a vacuum, it can be difficult to see your progress as an accomplishment, no matter how incremental.
I already mentioned the Black List. It can take time to get recognized. Sometimes years. Maybe you make it onto a similar list, maybe you don’t. If you’re grinding out the pages, you’re doing the thing. Celebrate every win, however small.
You might consider creating some visual record of your year’s work. Maybe you create a one-sheet for each script with the logline, a mood board of images that capture the tone, and key character descriptions. Maybe you design a conceptual poster using Canva or Photoshop.
If you’re feeling ambitious, compile a PDF lookbook with all your scripts from the year—cover pages, loglines, and a paragraph about what you learned writing each one. Or keep it simple and just screenshot your project list showing all those completed drafts.
If you got positive feedback in any form, maybe you print it out and post it around your workspace. (I’ve done that.)
Give yourself proof of your progress. The work you did matters, even if it didn’t sell or place in a contest.
Learn from What Worked (and What Didn’t)
Did you set daily page goals or deadlines for yourself? Did you meet them? If yes, what were the writing practices that got you there? If you missed those marks, assess what you think held you back. Maybe the goals were a bit unreasonable with your current schedule. Maybe you burned out.
Which writing sessions felt most productive and why? What were the things that gave you a boost? Was it the time of day? Did you eat something beforehand? Where did you go to write most often? Can you do anything to replicate those conditions?
Consider referencing Scott Myers’ 1-2-7-14 formula as a framework for tracking habits.
Build on your actual patterns so you can move forward knowing what works best for you.
Set Up Your Writing Space for the New Year
I always love to do an end-of-year reset (although not on New Year’s Day, because I hear that can sweep out your good luck).
If your desk is a disaster, do a purge. Clean everything, including your computer or laptop. Maybe even your desktop on your actual computer. Close the million tabs you don’t need.
If you’re holding on to an old printed draft for no reason or some notes you’ve already integrated, toss ’em. If there’s research you no longer need, clear it away.
Treat yourself to a clean Moleskine or notebook of choice, or get yourself a set of new pens. Whatever tools you need to signal that you’re getting a fresh start and going strong in 2026.
Make One Clear Decision for January
2025 felt like a long one to most of us. We don’t know what 2026 will bring, but we do know we’ve got 12 new months in front of us. You don’t need to plan out your whole year—you never know what could happen. Someone could reach out with an idea to collaborate, an opportunity to make a short could come out of nowhere. Resist the urge to set firm expectations, because this work requires flexibility.
Instead, choose one specific thing to focus on in January. This could be finishing a specific draft. Maybe you read specific scripts, starting with some of this year’s big awards contenders. Maybe pick one specific contest or fellowship to enter. Maybe establish a new daily page goal. Maybe you want to learn another skill (like directing) that will help you take your work further.
The goal is momentum. Research shows that setting small, specific, attainable goals rather than big, nebulous ones is better for you and more actionable. So it shouldn’t necessarily be “become a better writer in 2026,” but “finish a first draft by this date.” You’ll get better as a result of writing more, anyway. Your goal should be concrete and measurable.
End the Year on a Good Note
I worked with a writer once who always ended the year with some kind of writing, because he believed that whatever he did at year’s end would be the focus of the following year. I always liked that thought.
Maybe you do some end-of-year writing rituals yourself. You could read through your favorite scene you wrote this year. You could do some reflection and journal about how you feel you’ve grown as a writer this year. Maybe you just watch the film that inspired you to write in the first place.
This year is done. Next year begins fresh. Honor the work you did and learn from it.
The spec boom of 2025 showed us original voices still matter, so your work matters, too. Taking time to close out this year properly sets you up to begin the next one with clarity and purpose.
So get writing, and Happy New Year.