Back-to-school season is upon us. Maybe you’ve got plans to start working on a writing project, like a book or blog. Or maybe you’ve already started and hope to keep your progress going through the fall season.
The dilemma often comes up: How can I grow as a writer while keeping my project going? It seems there’s not enough time for all of it. How do I choose?
What if I tell you it’s possible to do both without overwhelm?
When we think about growing in our skills, we often associate it with school, especially at this time of year. But it doesn’t take a big effort to grow in one simple way. We just need to choose and focus on that one small thing. We can keep writing our book or blog, and watch how that one new thing helps us.
Fall is a wonderful time to reflect on one way you want to grow in your writing. Like choosing a mini back-to-school goal, but so much simpler. Let’s take a look at some of the “one small things” we can choose and why it works.
Why Choose Just One Small Thing?
You don’t need to get a master of fine arts degree or read a stack of how-to books while writing your own book. Just focus on one small area you’d like to grow in. It’ll make a difference in your writing, and it’ll encourage you to keep going.
By choosing just one small area for growth, you can keep your progress without overwhelm. That one thing you choose will support your writing project, rather than distracting from it. Your writing sessions will get easier.
It’s like on-the-job training. You’ve got the basic rhythm, enough to keep going. Then you think, I’d like to do that one skill better, or I’d like to know more about that aspect of the job, or I’d like to get more practice doing this part. You learn, you grow, you try it out while continuing to do the project. Ideally, the project becomes even more enjoyable.
Simple Ways to Grow in Writing
What would that one small thing be for you in this season? Where do you want to grow in your writing—in one small, simple way?
What’s one mini skill that, if it felt easier, would help you keep going?
What’s one habit that would help you enjoy your writing time more?
You might already know what it is, and that’s great!
If you’re not sure, let’s look at some examples. Perhaps one will resonate with you, or it might prompt a different idea.
Choose something that will help your current project feel easier. Resist the urge to choose more than one because you want to stay focused on your main writing project.
Possible areas to choose:
- Developing a consistent writing habit of 10-20 minutes per session.
- Scheduling two writing sessions per week.
- Writing a messy draft from your heart without censoring yourself.
- Finishing a draft without starting a new project.
- Making your chapter or scene openings stronger. You can look through a favorite book or blog to get some ideas to practice.
- Strengthening the endings of scenes or chapters.
- Practicing writing transitions between sections or scenes.
- Finding your writing voice. Here’s a post that can help you learn to recognize your voice.
- Reading your work out loud to listen for unclear phrasing.
- Learning a small self-editing skill. Removing excess adverbs is an easy way to start.
Can you think of one small thing you can work on as you make progress on writing your book or blog? Remember to choose just one small thing to support your focus on your main project.
It may help to think of this one small thing as a companion for your book or blog writing journey. Choose one thing that, as you learn or practice it, will make your journey smoother, not steeper.
Embracing the One Small Thing
What one small thing did you choose for this new season? If you still haven’t chosen, that’s okay. Take your time. As you write, you’ll start to notice areas you’d like to work on. You can choose to focus on one of those areas.
When you’ve chosen your one small thing, write it down, so you’ll remember it.
Ask yourself, “What is one step I can take this week to work on that one small thing?”
Keep working on your bigger writing project while letting this one small thing support you as you go along.
Don’t worry about getting it right because you can’t get it wrong. It’s just something you’re choosing to work toward as you write your book or blog. When that new thing starts to help you as a writer, you’ll enjoy the journey even more.
Remember, your writing journey isn’t a race, and it doesn’t follow a set path. Every step, every word, every moment counts. This season, let one small focus help you keep going.
Janet Eriksson 