Choosing a first-season focus

London Writers’ Salon co-founder Matt Trinetti and Head of Writer Experience Lindsey Trout Hughes share prompts from our Dreaming Big in 2026: Creative Goal Setting for Writers workshop – designed to help writers get clear on what they actually want from their writing life in 2026, and translate that desire into a plan that can survive reality in the first 1-3 months of the year.

Through 8 steps – from identifying desire to committing to a 48-hour move – Matt and Lindsey step through over a dozen prompts, discuss why each is important for writers to think about, and share what’s coming up for them personally for the year ahead.

Download the free workbook: community.londonwriterssalon.com/dreamingbig

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:07) Step 0: Two Words (bringing in & leaving behind)

(08:05) Step 1: Identifying what we truly desire

(17:42) Step 2: Vision (translating desire into clear vision)

(25:18) Step 3: Moving from wanting to deciding

(34:35) Step 4: Building a project bank

(42:02) Step 5: Finding a first season focus

(47:32) Step 6: Designing your creative practice

(59:00) Step 7: Your 30-day plan & 48-hour move

(01:04:50) Step 8: Opening up to support

(01:09:40) Conclusions and next steps

You’ll learn:

• A simple “two words” ritual to decide what you’re bringing into 2026 (and what you’re leaving behind).
• Prompts to identify what you truly desire, including what you might feel embarrassed to say out loud.
• How to reframe desire as a helpful signal instead of something “selfish” you should downplay.
• How to build a project bank so you can choose one focus without feeling like you’re abandoning your other ideas.
• Ways to use simple lists to spark clearer project options.
• How to choose a first-season focus (a three-month container) so you’re not trying to hold the entire year at once.
• The importance of defining what “done” looks like for the season and setting milestones that make progress visible.
• How to design a writing practice while planning for obstacles before they derail you.
• How to set a measurable 30-day goal, choose your first moves, and turn intention into proof.  
   

About London Writers’ Salon:

London Writers’ Salon is a community and membership that helps writers make meaningful progress on their work, stay committed to a writing practice, and find creative friends around the world. Members can build consistency through Writers’ Hour, develop craft through interviews and workshops, and connect with a global community of writers. 
 

Resources & Links: 

• Download the free workbook at: community.londonwriterssalon.com/dreamingbig
• Join Writers’ Hour - daily silent writing sessions: writershour.com
• Attend live events and workshops – Become a Member: community.londonwriterssalon.com/membership

For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.

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