One of the most underrated parts of becoming a stronger writer is simply. . . reading the kinds of books you want to write. It’s not about copying anyone — it’s about understanding the rhythm, expectations, tropes, pacing, and emotional beats your readers already love! When you read in your genre, you naturally start to absorb: - What hooks readers - What makes a satisfying ending - How other authors handle tension, world-building, or character arcs - What you want to do differently 👉 I’d love to hear: What’s one book in your genre you’ve read recently that taught you something — big or small — about your own writing?

Every author has some kind of process for planning out their books. . . even if that process is “I don’t outline at all.” (AKA, Pantsers 😅) 👉 I’d love to know: - Do you outline your stories before you write? - If so, what’s your process? - And do you think there’s such a thing as “the best way” to outline? Some writers swear by detailed scene breakdowns. Others use index cards, sticky notes, or just a loose summary. And some absolutely thrive as discovery writers. There’s no one-size-fits-all — it’s about what helps you stay excited and keep moving. Let’s share what’s worked (and what hasn’t) to help each other find our best way forward.

We all dream of those big, focused writing days where the words just flow — but the truth is, most of our progress happens in the quiet, ordinary moments when we show up — even if it’s just for a few words! Consistency isn’t about perfection or massive word counts. It’s about proving to yourself that your writing matters enough to keep coming back to it — especially on the days when it feels hard. 👉 I’d love to hear: How do you stay consistent in your writing life? And what helps you show up even when motivation is low? Every small session adds up — and before you know it, you’ve written a whole book one imperfect writing day at a time.

I’d love to know what you’re working on this week! What’s one writing or author-related thing you’ve been focusing on recently (big or small)?

Last week we discussed Avoidance Activities - you know, those you things you do INSTEAD OF WRITING! We all have them. . . @Kc Herbel mentioned that he struggles with doing things that could actually be super beneficial to his writing business like watching videos on craft, learning ads, etc. Totally normal! I challenged him that whenever we are learning something like craft or ads, to make sure to calendar block time to actually implement that skill or strategy into your business. Here are some tips on how to do that: 🕯️ Start with your current commitments.Don’t fill your calendar with ideal writing blocks you wish you could do — start by blocking the times you actually have available. Even 30 minutes counts! Need to pick up kiddos from school? That takes time. Need time to get ready in the morning? That takes time! We are typically overly ambitious with our calendars instead of being realistic about the time we have. 🕯️ Be specific when naming your writing sessions. Instead of just “Writing,” label it something specific like “Edit Chapter 3” or “Write 500 words.” It tricks your brain into seeing it as a concrete task, not a vague intention! This also gives you a goal post to move towards instead of sitting there staring at your screen for an hour. ;) 🕯️ Set reminders you can’t ignore. Use alerts on your phone or even a post-it on your laptop. Treat it like any other meeting — you show up because it's important to you and there's consequences potentially if you don't. 👉 What kind of calendar do you use to keep yourself sane and organized in this crazy writing life?