Janet Eriksson

June 29, 2026August 15, 2026

Writing Prompt: The Place that Felt Like Summer

Seasonal writing prompts are a helpful way to practice writing and creativity. Sometimes they’re a way to get in touch with potential scenes for your book too. Not every book has seasonal material. But recalling descriptive details has a way of bringing to mind memories, lessons, wisdom, and experiences that may shape a writing project in some way. If not, it’s still great practice that helps stir creativity.

For this month’s writing prompt, let’s think about summer. It’s all around us, so it’s a natural time to capture those descriptions and feelings.

June 22, 2026June 19, 2026

15 Minutes Is Enough to Keep Your Book Moving

Summer is a busy season. Different schedules, new activities, vacations, kids home from school. It’s often hard to find time to write, especially if you’re working on a book.

But you can make consistent summer progress by just writing 15 minutes at a time.

June 15, 2026June 19, 2026

Summer Is More than Sunshine: Bringing a Season to Life in Your Writing

We all have summer memories. Some might be good, some bad, some in between. But generally, summer brings memories to the surface because it’s a very distinct time of year. A time of warmth (depending on your hemisphere), a time of freedom (depending on your age and circumstances), a time of exploration, a change of pace, a new way of seeing things.

Summer is more than just months on a calendar. It’s more than a time of year. Summer is a feeling. It’s emotion. Vivid memories. Sounds, sights, textures, scents, tastes. Your readers connect with those sensory emotions. They take your summer experience and weave it into their own memories. They connect around those feelings.

May 25, 2026May 19, 2026

Writing Prompt: When Everything Went Crazy

You’ve probably had one of those days when it seemed like everything went crazy.

Maybe you were trying to get something done and nothing went right.

Perhaps unusual things were popping up left and right.

Or you just felt surrounded by chaos.

Maybe it was a hard time, or it might have felt comical.

Even in the craziest days, we sometimes find peace, wisdom, direction, or a new outlook.

May 11, 2026May 9, 2026

Questions Can Prompt Life Story Memories

Writing about your memories is such a blessing for your family and future generations. Whether you’re writing a memoir, life story, annotated photo essays, or a blog, your stories will be meaningful. But where do you start? How do you capture highlights of a life in 100 or so book pages or blog posts?

May 4, 2026August 15, 2026

Yes, People Will Love to Read Your Legacy Writing

If you’re writing a family history, life story, memoir, or any kind of legacy writing, you might wonder, Will anyone want to read this? I have asked that question too.

But I also know the answer is a resounding yes. How can I be so sure? Because I would love to read anything written by my ancestors. I wish technology had made it possible for them to record their thoughts and insights into their daily lives.

April 27, 2026August 15, 2026

Writing Prompt: What Do You Love about Spring?

Freewriting is a great way to practice writing from your heart. It’s a way to keep your inner editor quiet. To enjoy the creativity of writing.

April 20, 2026April 19, 2026

Does My Book Really Matter?

At some point, every writer struggles with this question: Does my book really matter? Writing a book is a big thing. It takes time, effort, vulnerability, a willingness to share your voice and insights with others. It’s understandable and very common to suddenly wonder: Why am I doing this? Does it even matter?

First, let me assure you, it does matter. Your book matters. Your story matters. You matter. What you’re writing will make a difference for someone at the time when they need it most.

April 13, 2026April 11, 2026

Your Story Is Allowed to Be Gentle

Folks often hesitate to write a book because they think their story doesn’t have enough trauma. They worry their story will be boring or meaningless without that dramatic hook.

But a gentle or peaceful book can really hit home with readers who experience plenty of trauma in daily life. What a breath of fresh air to have a story that helps them breathe, redirect, find their way to peace.

Not to say that a book about trauma doesn’t lead readers to peace. It can, and it should. But a gentle story can do the same. The key to an engaging book is not dramatic moments. It’s direction. Know where you’re taking your reader, and guide them along that path of discovery.

April 6, 2026March 31, 2026

When You Know What You Want to Write But Can’t Get to It

Has this ever happened to you? You’re working on a writing project, maybe a book or a blog. You know what you want to write next. But you can’t seem to fit it into your schedule. Life keeps happening.

That’s okay. You can still move your project forward: by thinking about what you’re going to write.