Oohs and Aahs for 2.23.24

A juicy discount, baby steps, and red-lip vibes

(Monday is my birthday, so keep your eye on your inbox for a special discount and decide if you’re going to book a critique, invest in coaching, or download a workbook this weekend.)

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A lot of aspiring writers get stuck before they even start writing. Like how do you go from what’s in your head to actually putting words down on the paper? How???

I think where we often get hung up is in between getting a glimmer of an idea and writing it down. We think the glimmer should lead to a fully formed outline or a full cast of characters. Mayyyybe that happens for some people, but I don’t personally know any of them.

Sometimes I get a title for a book that sounds cool and then I work backwards and figure out what it might look like. Other times I get the name of a character or a moody moment, but I don’t know how they connect to a bigger story.

I used to think I should wait to write until I could fill in a worksheet with the characters, setting, and plot, but now I know that figuring out those elements and letting them appear naturally IS writing.

If I’m paying attention and taking notes, it’s ok to only be able to see a tiny bit of the story. If one piece of the story makes sense and feels right for my book, I build from there. The rest will come. Maybe more slowly and more confusingly than I would like. But it will come.

Where do you get stuck when you have a new idea? Hit reply and let me know!

I’m home with my son this week for his winter break, but I’ll be back at my desk Monday, ready for more coaching and critiques. I would love to help you take those first steps.

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This Week I’m…

• Reading this novel for the Weird Books for Weird Moms book club, and it’s so good! 🐉

• Talking with

  Jessica Farquhar
  about how we can help our kids advocate for themselves

• Listening to these meditations when I have a pocket of time

• Clutching my gentle-parenting pearls as I read these graphic chapter books with my son over and over

• Leaning hard on a long piece of kraft paper and this jumbo box of chalk

• Finally watching this gorgeous singalong 💋

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If you enjoyed this post, please 💛 it so others can find it or share it with your favorite creative mothers.

PS—The fastest way to grow as a writer is to book a manuscript critique or a creative coaching session with an expert.

My clients get agents, sell books, and win awards. They also learn how to find ease and joy in the creative process, so they can keep going when life gets hard.