Hey all, I wanted to take a moment to share that my dad passed away recently, which is why I’ve been quiet and away for the last couple of weeks. It’s been a really hard season, and I needed a little time to rest, process and be with my family. I just want to say how grateful I am to be back here with this cozy, creative community. This group and all the amazing authors I get to work with really do feel like a bright spot for me. Thank you for your patience and for being part of this little corner of the author world. I’m excited to jump back in, hear what you’ve all been working on, and keep building together. 🕯️

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?