As we move into the holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to reset our intentions together here in the W.R.I.T.E. Society. This time of year can feel complicated for writers. There's the pull of family obligations, end-of-year reflections, and often that familiar pressure to either "finish strong" or give up until January. But what if we approached it differently this year? Here's what I'm thinking: The holidays don't have to mean abandoning your writing—but they also don't have to mean pushing through exhaustion and/or frustration. Your writing practice can be flexible, seasonal, and still meaningful. ➤ Maybe you write less but more intentionally. ➤ Maybe you use this time to read, reflect, and refill the creative well. ➤ Maybe you keep showing up to our co-writing sessions because that quiet, focused hour is your sanctuary in the chaos. What's happening through the holidays: - Co-writing sessions continue until 17th December, then resume 7th January - W.R.I.T.E. Society Salon member group calls are on 2nd and 16th December, resuming 6th January - This community space remains open for questions, support, and connection - We're honouring rest and presence elsewhere during the break No judgment for whatever pace feels right for you. Whether you're writing daily or taking a complete break, you're still part of this community. So here's my question for you: What does your writing need from you during this season? And how can this community support that? Drop your thoughts below or DM me. Let's navigate the holidays together—with intention, not pressure. 💛

It’s hard to believe that we’re already into November and 2025 is winding down! What’s one win you want to celebrate from October? Let’s enjoy each other’s wins!

I've been wrestling with this exact challenge with Book 3 of my Glass Key trilogy. Multiple drafts, good feedback, but something still wasn't clicking for me. That's when I realised I needed what I'm calling a Phoenix Draft—not revision, but reimagining the story from the ground up. I've just published a new Substack post on The Anti-Hustle Writers Lab that explores this approach and shares the framework I'm developing. If you've ever felt stuck in "fix it" mode, this might resonate. Would love to hear: Have any of you done a Phoenix Draft without knowing you were doing one? 💭 https://open.substack.com/pub/tracystewartauthor/p/what-if-revision-didnt-have-to-be?r=77cpw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

How often do you actually write? Do you force yourself to write every day, even when you're not ready? I haven't written a single word on my manuscript this week. I haven't been here or anywhere much, other than in the moment. I've been traveling, attending events, living life. But the story is alive in my mind. It's shifting. Clarifying. Getting ready to emerge. I'm trusting the fallow period. I just published a Substack post exploring the difference between trusting your rhythm and avoiding the work—and why "write every day" might be just another hustle mandate. I'd love to hear your experiences, too. Link: What If You Stopped Writing Every Day? So, my question for the community: Do you give yourself permission to have fallow periods? Or do you feel guilty when you're not actively writing? 👇

Hello writers! I’m so happy to welcome you to The W.R.I.T.E. Society Cafe—your FREE, thoughtful, supportive space for writers who value depth over speed and connection over competition. This isn’t just another writing group—The Cafe is for writers of all backgrounds, genres, and experience levels. We’re here to cheer each other on, share real progress (and struggles), and make writing a little more joyful and a lot less lonely. I created The W.R.I.T.E. Society Cafe because we do our best work when we’re surrounded by encouragement, not pressure. Whether you’re writing your first poem or finishing your fifth novel, you are 100% welcome here. Come as you are. A little about me: I’m Tracy, your host and fellow wordsmith. I’ve helped writers find and share their stories, discover their writing voices, and build sustainable creative practices. The W.R.I.T.E. Society Cafe is my invitation for you to do the same, in good company. ☕ What you’ll find in The Cafe • Regular writing encouragement and open community chat • Peer support, accountability partners if you’d like one, and friendly “coffee and cake conversations” • Access to inspiring prompts and practical resources • Monthly Q&A session with me • Good company, thoughtful feedback on questions, and just the right amount of gentle accountability No pressure, no commitment—just supportive conversations and space to grow. ✍️ Before you dive in... 1. Introduce yourself in the pinned Hello - Introduction post! 2. Check the pinned resources for helpful guides, events, and announcements. 3. Be a great community member. Encourage, cheer, share what’s worked for you, ask questions, and give and receive equally. 💛 Community Guidelines - Be kind, generous, and respectful. We’re here to reflect, not to self-promote. - No pitching or private DMs about services/offers. We love authentic connection, not spam. - If you need help or want to report a problem, DM me or email tracy@freshlypress.com