Janet Eriksson

August 31, 2026August 15, 2026

Writing Prompt: The Places that Shape Us

Throughout our lives, certain places have a lasting impact on us. In some way, those places shape us. At the time, we don’t always realize the role a place has played in our life.

Some places influence how we see the world. Other places shape how we see ourselves. A place might help us grow in confidence. It might underscore our beliefs. A place might even change how we see ourselves.

It’s often easier to recognize the impact of a particular place in later years. Hindsight shows us the ways that place influenced our life. Our writing prompt this month is an invitation to reflect on place that shaped or even changed you in some way.

August 24, 2026August 15, 2026

Treat Your Writing Project Like a Spa, Not Boot Camp

The fall season is approaching. Cooler mornings, cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice tea, settling into a routine.

As writers, it’s easy to miss the beautiful atmosphere and push ourselves on our project: I have to get this section done. I really want to knock out one more chapter. I need to push my daily word count higher.

That sounds more like boot camp than a cozy fall morning.

What if you treat your writing project like a soothing spa visit instead?

August 17, 2026August 7, 2026

Writing a Book? Beta Readers Can Help

As you write your book manuscript, you might wonder how readers will respond. Will they understand this section? Will they like that example? Will they find the book helpful? That’s where beta readers can be a big help.

August 10, 2026August 5, 2026

When Every Sentence Sounds the Same: A Simple Self-Editing Tip

Have you ever read a section of your manuscript, only to realize clusters of sentences sound the same?

“I remember this. I remember that. I remember those. I remember these.”

It’s what I call the singsong pattern, where the same structure and even the same wording repeats itself.

That’s a perfectly normal way to write a first draft, and it’s okay. That’s what first drafts are for. You’re trying to get your creative thoughts and memories on paper without editing as you go along. I encourage that!

But after you finish your first draft, when it’s time to read through and self-edit, you might notice that singsong pattern in certain paragraphs. That’s where self-editing helps to break up the rhythm.

August 3, 2026July 28, 2026

Writing for Your Reader Happens Twice

When you’re writing a book, you always want to keep your ideal reader in mind, from first draft to self-editing phase. But the focus on the reader is slightly different between those two stages, and you need both.

July 27, 2026July 28, 2026

Writing Prompt: A Favorite Summer Memory

When you’re writing about memories, it’s often easier to remember events or life moments associated with a particular season. If someone says “childhood summer,” certain images or events may come to mind. Or key words about summer may prompt a memory: school vacation, travel, recreation, friends.

Sometimes memories are good, sometimes not. Even good memories may feel fuzzy at first, where you can only recall a few details. Other memories might be as vivid as if they happened yesterday.

Whether or not your current writing project includes memories, seasonal memories make great free writing exercises.

July 6, 2026August 15, 2026

When You Only Have Five Minutes to Write

When you tell someone you’re writing a book, they might picture you spending hours at your computer, ideally in a comfy chair with a great view. That is certainly the ideal of the writing life.

But it’s not often reality.

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.