Goal Setting Workshop to Build Writing Success in 2026

AN INTENSIVE GOAL-SETTING, SUCCESS-BUILDING, ONE-HOUR COURSE!

The idea for this tiny course, came out of two things: firstly a long chat with a writer I’m mentoring . It was all about where they want to get to with their writing in 2026, and what they need to do to get there

Secondly, I was thinking of how to help the brilliant Wintering students share the work they've created on the current five week course. What should they be doing in 2026 to have success as writers, I wondered. Where should they go next with the super work produced on the course?

Afterwards, I thought, yes, this is an important consideration at this time of year. We all reflect on where we are, and where we’d like to be in the year ahead. We have to, to go forward with a clear direction and energy.

At the end of a year I always muse how the past year went. I try to face up to the failures, and then glow with the successes. Audit, in a writerly way, and think about what I’d like change and achieve, in creative and career terms, in the year ahead. Maybe it's more of the same, maybe less, perhaps a new project, idea, direction. Perhaps it's more ambition, danger, daring.

So, I’ve decided to do an hour-long mini mentoring, putting-your-past-writing-year-into-perspective, dream-of-what-you’d-like-to-happen-in-2026, hour-long, all-I-know-about-goals, course.

In this hour we'll decide what we need more of to get where we want to be and then we'll make a plan for it.

We'll reflect on what is our best writing, and consider how to do more of it.

And we’ll talk about how to reserve time in a busy life to make these things happens.

I’m excited to do this for myself, and even more excited now that you might come and do it with me.

It’s only an hour, but it'l be a useful, helpful, hardcore goal-setting hour!

Feedback from students of Helen's previous courses

‘It was a tremendous course... great fun and I loved the selection of short stories and really enjoyed listening to other people's writing and get all those tips and recommendations.’ Participant on the May 2024 Short Stories course.

‘I want to thank you for the course. It was an honor to be a part of your group of students. I wrote down a lot of interesting ideas that I’m sure can help me create more interesting stories in the future. And the short stories we read during the course showed me another angle of writing, at first it was quite overwhelming, but then I realized the beauty of stories, as you said, that show life. So I think I found a new muse thanks to your lessons.' Participant on the May 2024 Short Stories course.

'I've really enjoyed the class and have come away with a lot of inspiration and some fantastic tips that I will definitely try to incorporate into my writing' Participant on the February 2024 Short Storiescourse.

The course is taught by me, Helen Cross, an award-winning novelist `(including My Summer of Love which became a BAFTA Award winning film), short story writer, audio dramatist and fiction writer (www.helencross.net) and creator/writer of the current podcast chart hit, English Rose Series one and two (broadcast on BBC Radio in November/December 2024 and now available on BBC Sound and shortlisted for the Best Serial Drama in the 2025 Audio Drama Awards). My latest story is Mrs Robinson (September 2025) broadcast in Five Parts on BBC Radio 4 and now available on BBC Sounds.

My short stories are broadcast on BBC Radio and widely published in magazines and anthologies, including in The Manchester Review, Popshot magazine , Digbeth Stories and 100 of the Sexist stories in Literature (Head of Zeus press) and recently Night Time Economy.

Helen Cross Mentor and Coach Biography:

I am a mentor to many writers, including many who have received mentoring via their Arts Council DYCP (Developing Your Creative Practice) grants, and others who have come to me privately or via the work I do with Writing West Midlands. Planning for suceess, and thinking how and where to publish or broadcast is a big part of the work I do with these writers.

Helen Cross Teaching Biography:

Alongside being a widely published novelist, story writer and scriptwriter I have taught creative writing around the world, including on the acclaimed MA and BA writing programmes at the University of East Anglia and currently in 2025 on the MA, Certificate and Diploma writing courses at Cambridge University. I am also a part time lecturer on the BA and MA courses at the University of Hull. I have also been Writer in Residence at the University of Birmingham, The University of Mumbai and won many scholarships, including to Cove Park in Scotland and The Banff Centre in Canada.

'It’s been a great little course, I’ve got a lot out of it' Participant on the February 2024 Short STories course

‘Thanks for an excellent course. One of the things I found most valuable was the actual tips on the craft of writing and from someone who is actively making a living writing. A lot of courses talk about setting, character and the mechanics but few look are your work and make practical suggestions for improvement. So thank you very much I really appreciated your time. ‘ Participant on the February 2024 Write A Novel course

‘I really enjoyed your input and exercises, and I greatly appreciated your enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge.’ Participant on the February 2024 Write A Novel course

'I found the course very inspirational. Due to the formate it also got me writing from the get -go, so by the time the course was finished I had completed my 1st draft.' Participant on a September 2023 Write A Podcast course.

A really helpful, informative, efficient, fun and exciting course!' Participant on a February 2023 Write a Novel course.

Course Date: 4-5pm on Sunday 4 January.

Location: Live online teaching via Zoom

COST: £30 (discount code SUCCESS26 for my Mailing List Members)

www.helencross.net

linktr.ee/helenxwriter

'I loved every minute of our course’ Participant on the February 2024 course

‘Thank you for running the sessions, I feel like it's reignited the writer in me.’ Participant on the February 2024 course

‘Straight, insightful, practical guidance.’ Participant on the February 2024 course

'A brilliant course!' Participant on the September 2022 course.

'It was terrific the way it was all broken down with homework and worksheets added.’ Participant on the February 2023 course

‘Excellent throughout.’ Participant on the February 2023 course

’I enjoyed hearing about Helen’s practical advice, and the week on structure was excellent.' Participant on the February 2022 course .

Press praise for Helen Cross.

‘Taut thriller from the impressive new drama strand Limelight...great fun.” The Daily Telegraph August 2022.

“Stranger fangs: this smart modern spin on vampire lore follows a secretive Yorkshire girl from her home in Whitby to NYC.” The Guardian July 2022

'An original modern take on vampire lore this throws up some smart surprises and the cast deliver great performances’ - The Yorkshire Post August 2022

‘Novelist Helen Cross proves a sure hand at creating both intrigue and suspense.’ The Radio Times July 2022.