Fall is a wonderful time for a reset. Schedules and activity levels are changing, weather is shifting. Fall is the perfect season to find a quiet writing nook and carve out some cozy time to focus on your book.
Let’s take a look at some ways to give your book project a fall reset:
- Take a look at what is working. What routines, steps, or habits are already working well to move your book project forward? You’ll want to keep those going, so make a note of them.
- Look at what is not working so well. If you’re struggling with a particular chapter, can’t quite get a detail filled in, or feel stuck in a rabbit hole of research, don’t force it. Put it aside so you can focus on moving other sections forward. Sometimes, momentum in one area will give you a fresh perspective for a more challenging area.
- See if your roadmap needs a reset. How is your outline working out? Any tweaks needed? Don’t be afraid to add, change, or delete items from your outline based on the direction your project is going.
- Choose your next milestone—something realistic that creates momentum and motivates you. Maybe your next milestone is to finish a chapter draft, or revise a section, or organize your recent notes. Carve out some time and commit to reaching that milestone one step at a time.
- Find your fall writing rhythm. Figure out what works with your current schedule. Is it easier to write in the morning or evening? Weekend or weekday? A few minutes at a time, here and there? Does it change each week? Decide what’s realistic for you—that’s how you make progress, when you commit to doing what you can actually do.
A fall reset isn’t starting over. It’s finding the best way to make progress on your book, given your current schedule and energy. Take a small, simple step forward this week. Your book gets closer to completion with every step.
Janet Eriksson 