Writing in the New Year

Many, many moons ago, I used to write. I wrote poetry and plays and short stories and all of the fun things I could think of. Then, I started copywriting and ghostwriting, and writing just for fun slowly became a thing of the past.

Now, I get to work with writers and help them tell their stories in the best way possible. But somewhere along the way, I realized I got away from my own writing. And my definition of "writing for fun" looks a lot different now...actually my whole definition of fun is a lot different now.

So, long story not so short: I've decided that 2026 will be the year I start writing for fun again. And what's fun to me now? Helping writers tell their stories in the best way possible, and writing alongside them while I do.

If 2026 is the year you plan to write your book, please be encouraged: What you write at your desk does ✨not✨ have to be perfect. I understand the pursuit of perfection. I am an editor, after all. Just writing this blog was like, eek. But I made a commitment to myself that I would write and that I would share.

So that's what I'm doing.

And if you said you'd write a book this year, that's what you gotta do too.

Brainstorm. Create an outline. Make a plan. And then just get started. The important thing isn’t that your writing is perfect. It’s that you’re writing.

There is no wrong way to write a first draft. So don’t overthink it. Just do it.

Let this be the year you sit at your desk to write imperfectly, honestly, and on purpose.

Here’s the simple checklist I share with writers who are just getting started:

• Identify your genre and audience

• Develop your idea

• Create an outline

• Establish a writing routine

• Start writing your first draft

• Revise, edit, and seek feedback

Note: You don’t have to write your chapters in order

I'm rooting for you!