August is coming to an end, and before we rush into a new month, take a moment to look back at where you’ve been.
You don’t have to have finished your novel.
You don’t have to have written every day.
You don’t have to feel like you accomplished enough.
You simply need to pause and notice what this month gave you.
✍️ What Did You Write This Month?
Think about everything you created during August.
Maybe you wrote chapters, scenes, character notes, poems, outlines, or even a single paragraph that you really liked.
Maybe you spent most of the month thinking about your story rather than actually writing it.
That still counts.
Writing isn’t always measured by word count. Sometimes progress looks like finally understanding why a character behaves the way they do, figuring out what your ending should be, or realizing that the scene you’ve been struggling with doesn’t belong in the story.
Ask yourself:
- What did I write this month?
- What story did I spend the most time thinking about?
- Which scene or idea am I most proud of?
- Did I discover anything new about my characters?
- What writing habit worked well for me?
🌑 What Didn’t Work?
Not everything needs to be celebrated.
Some things simply didn’t work.
Maybe you procrastinated. Maybe you started too many projects. Maybe you struggled to find motivation. Maybe life completely interrupted your writing plans.
Instead of judging yourself, ask:
What made writing difficult this month?
Was it:
- Lack of time?
- Distractions?
- Perfectionism?
- Not knowing what happens next?
- Losing interest in your story?
- Trying to do too much at once?
Understanding what got in your way can help you make September easier.
đź–¤ What Did August Teach You?
Every month of writing teaches us something.
Maybe August taught you that you need an outline before drafting.
Maybe you discovered that your characters work better when you stop trying to control them.
Maybe you realized you actually enjoy writing short stories more than novels.
Or perhaps you learned that you need to give yourself permission to write badly before you can write well.
What is one lesson you’re taking with you into September?
🔥 What Story Still Has Your Attention?
Before September begins, look at your collection of ideas.
Which one is still whispering to you?
Which character keeps showing up in your thoughts?
Which unfinished scene makes you want to go back?
You don’t necessarily have to choose that story as your next project.
But pay attention to the stories that refuse to leave you alone.
Sometimes your next story has already chosen you.
🌟 September Writing Goals
Now look forward.
Instead of creating a giant list of everything you should accomplish next month, choose a few things that actually matter.
Try finishing these sentences:
In September, I want to write:
I want to make progress on:
I want to learn:
I want to spend more time:
I want to stop worrying about:
My biggest writing goal for September is:
🌙 Before You Close the Month
Take a breath.
You made it through another month of being a writer.
Whether you wrote 20,000 words or 20 words, your story is still yours.
Whether you finished a draft or simply thought about the next scene, you are still creating.
And you don’t have to carry August’s unfinished goals into September.
Leave behind what isn’t serving your writing.
Keep the lessons.
Keep the ideas.
Keep the stories that still make your heart race.
Then turn the page.
September is waiting.
đź“ť Your August Reflection
The best thing I wrote this month was:
The biggest challenge I faced was:
Something I learned about myself as a writer:
A story I want to continue:
One thing I’m proud of:
My September writing intention:
You don’t need a perfect month to be making progress. You just need to keep returning to the page.
Happy Writing ^_^
Sara's Writing Sanctuary 