You didn’t start writing your book because you were bored or needed a hobby. It’s more likely that you started writing because you had to—because that pull inside you just wouldn’t quit.
And I’m willing to bet that you also didn’t start your book just to abandon it when life got “busy,” did you?
No, of course not.
And yet, I’ve watched several brave writers drift from their soul’s work, especially recently. The reasons vary—spring has sprung and planting must be done, summertime travel is upon us, the kids are keeping you busy with all their activities, or maybe it’s that furry and oh-so-cute distraction you brought home recently.
The list is endless, truly. And believe me, I get it—my life is full too. I spend my days running a business that supports writers, parenting four awesome kids, spending dedicated time to care for myself—and still I manage to find time to work on my memoir most days.
And it’s not because I have endless time or divine discipline. It’s because I’ve found ways to stay connected to the project, even when things are busy.
Because nothing breaks my heart more than when a book fizzles out and the world never gets to experience those words.
Disconnection kills momentum.
And when you lose momentum, you don’t just “fall behind.” You fall out of sync with the spirit and energy of your book, which is so much harder to recover from than missing a few writing sessions.
You didn’t come this far to let your story go cold and gather dust, did you?
The good news is that you don’t need a three-hour morning ritual or a weekend retreat to stay connected (or reconnect) to your project. You just need to keep the flame alive—and I’m going to show you how.
Here’s what’s helped me:
✨ Writing in my luscious, sunny, soul-lit three-season porch—a space I look forward to spending time in each day.
✨ Breaking things into tiny steps so I’m never wondering “what should I do next” when I have a few extra minutes in my day.
✨ Staying prepared by bringing my work with me in the form of printed outlines and notebooks that travel easily. I love taking my writing on the road and being able to embrace inspiration when it strikes!
✨ Staying accountable in my Soulful Nonfiction School, just like my students—we check in weekly on our projects, and their devotion fuels mine.
If you’re looking for ways to stay connected to your writing, here are five that have kept me (and my clients) in the fire:
1. Make your book a living flame, not a frozen project—and tend to it!
Your book is alive—envision this and hold it as true. When you abandon it for weeks, it cools, and the flame weakens. Instead, try this: give it ANY amount of time each week—even 20 minutes will do! Find little tasks to grab when life delivers you a busy week: reread a scene, open your notes, speak an idea into a voice memo, sketch out a title. I tell my students to write out their book’s mission statement on a sticky note to display somewhere to revisit often. The goal is connection, not necessarily productivity.
Think of it like keeping a candle lit. You don’t need an inferno—just don’t let it go out.
2. Write your “sketchy” draft.
I’ve come to loathe the idea of a “shitty first draft.” Your draft is not shitty—it’s sketchy. And that means it’s a raw, messy, don’t-know-where-it’s-going draft, but it’s still beautiful. So write sketchy, because those words still count! You don’t need full paragraphs. You need guts on the page. Write like you’re mapping smoke with a pencil. Let the mess exist.
Perfection is a wet blanket on creative fire. Sketchy is how the fire starts and stays smouldering.
(Don’t fret—you’ll revise later!)
3. Ritualize your writing with small stuff.
Create a ritual for your writing. My former history teacher recently told me that she wrote two master’s theses from the same seat at a Bakers Square—she called this a “mind palace,” as it allowed her mind to shift into writing mode whenever she stepped foot inside the bakery. For you, maybe it’s a different location, or maybe it’s a playlist, a cup of jasmine tea, a special writing candle, or a specific hoodie. Whatever direction you go, make it magical—your brain loves ritual. Give it cues that it’s time to enter the fire.
When you pair your writing time with something pleasurable—coffee, a cozy blanket, or your favorite album on repeat—ritual makes return easier.
4. Break your writing into bite-sized sparks.
Don’t think of it like writing a book. Instead, look at each writing session as an individual spark: write a scene. Or a story fragment. Or a sentence you love. Break the project down into embers—bite-sized goals—and reward yourself when you hit them. Dopamine isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a biological truth.
Some tools that help:
✏ Use Google Tasks or Trello boards to track your progress
✏ Set mini-deadlines with small celebrations
✏ Share progress on your social platforms or with a coach
✏ Give yourself stickers! I will do anything for a sticker.
Momentum is built in flickers, so think small.
5. Don’t walk the path alone—find cheerleaders!
While writing a book feels like a solo sport, accountability is soul magic. Whether it’s writing with a fellow creative on Zoom, checking in with a mastermind or writing group, or texting a friend when you finish a chapter—let someone see you show up for this work.
Being witnessed in your creative fire helps keep it burning, especially when life feels too busy. We are not meant to create in isolation, so create space for your cheer team to keep you going.
Bonus: Let Me Help You Stay In the Flame 🔥
I’m in it with you—writing a memoir of my own while supporting dozens of other writers doing the same. If you need community, structure, or sacred accountability, here’s where to find it:
📙 Join the Soulful Nonfiction School – A nourishing container where we write in small, doable steps together. You’ll get:
☑ Monthly live (recorded) group calls
☑ Twice-monthly writing rooms where we show up together to write
☑ A living library of trainings to help with writing, structuring, publishing, and staying devoted
☑ Weekly check-ins inside our community so you’re never writing in the dark
📙 Download the Self-Publishing Checklist – A clear, loving map to guide you from blank page to published book! Talk about small bites—this baby breaks down the entire process into each step to keep you moving forward.
📙 Work with me privately – If you’re craving fierce clarity and personalized guidance to really crank the heat up on your book writing progress, I’ve got a spot near the fire for you—schedule a call with me to discuss.
And remember: you’re not just writing a book. You’re honoring a story that has chosen you. And that deserves more than waiting for the “perfect time.”
Start where you are. Stay in the fire. And please—keep going.
Creatively yours,
