Hi 12 x 12ers! I’m so happy to be here with you. I joined 12 x 12 four years ago, and while so much has changed since then, one thing that hasn’t changed, at least for me, is a highly irregular writing schedule. I used to feel like a failure for that.
No matter how hard I would try to structure some sort of consistent daily writing practice, I would end up feeling like I’d fallen short. Because when I would manage to budget ahead for some precious alone time with my manuscript, I’d feel the need to use that small span to create something magical and hit a certain word count and then, well, that’s just too much pressure.
So now, I have a few trusty go-tos for when the clock is ticking and the words aren’t flowing. And what I’ve come to realize is that certain writing-related tasks are just as important for moving a project forward as the writing itself. These help me stay productive, especially with multiple projects going simultaneously.
Here are my top four tips for jump-starting your manuscript, none of which actually involves writing the draft!
1. Open the file.
This can be a literal or figurative file — A paper file folder with research, a bunch of post-its stuck to the wall with rough scenes, a document file on the computer with a working title and few notes… You get the idea. The point is to just sit with the project, without any agenda, other than to see what comes up. Often, I find myself so overwhelmed with multiple projects that I feel paralyzed to make progress on any of them. And all files remain closed. So now, I force myself to pick one, and at least just open the file.
Some days all I manage to do is type my name and address in the left-hand corner. Other days I free-write on my general topic, doing a stream-of-consciousness dump and dig into it afterward for any golden nuggets I might be able to keep. If I have part of the manuscript already done, I’ll ask myself: Anything to add? Change? Explore further? Which leads me to …
2. Research.
I’m not talking about the boring kind. Is there an aspect of your story that you can get excited about delving into more deeply? This isn’t limited to nonfiction. I’m currently writing a fiction picture book about a spider. It’s my first attempt at humor and I’m not all that funny, so it’s an enormous challenge. I have the first fifty words, and I know how it ends. But I’m stuck in the muddy middle, with zero ideas for how to move the story forward.
So this morning I spent about fifteen minutes researching random spider facts. It was fun, and now I have a couple of promising ideas for new scenes that never would have emerged had I kept staring at the screen and trying to write based on what was already in my brain.
Sometimes a little bit of research is all it takes to jiggle loose an idea for how to move forward.
3. Write a press release announcing your book.
This is something you can do at any stage of the writing process, even if you haven’t made much progress on the manuscript itself. In fact, this can help you clarify your book’s themes and takeaways, which can also help move the story forward.
For my first book, The Voice that Won the Vote, I wrote several press releases when we hadn’t even yet signed an illustrator. I knew the publication was going to be timed to coincide with the suffrage centennial, so I wrote up an announcement for my local news outlets, describing the book.
Here’s one simple format template, so you get an idea of how to structure your press release:
https://www.myperfectwords.com/blog/press-release-guide/press-release-format
For my second book, A Seat at the Table: The Nancy Pelosi Story, I wrote press releases in advance for the Baltimore newspaper, since that’s where Speaker Pelosi grew up, and for the San Francisco newspaper, since that’s where she lives when she’s not in Washington DC.
Once the book came out, I wrote press releases for other publications. And this past March, I wrote different press releases, tying both of my books to Women’s History Month in March.
For One Turtle’s Last Straw, I wrote press releases and sent them out widely for Earth Day, which happened three weeks before the book’s official launch. You have lots of options for pitching your book in a press releases, including tying your topic to World (insert subject here) Day. For example, World Sea Turtle Day is June 16, so I will be sending out press releases the week before that.
Here’s a handy “there is a day for that” calendar, so you can find hooks to pitch your book in a press release. https://www.thereisadayforthat.com/calendars/2022. I often start writing the press releases before I’ve even finished the manuscript. It can be a great motivator. Which leads me to my final tip…
4. Feel it done.
It’s so easy to stress out when you’re not meeting a goal or making progress on a project. But that anxiety only fuels the fire of overwhelm. Something I’ve been doing lately is visualizing myself on the other side of the project. It’s more than visualizing, actually. It’s tapping into the actual emotions associated with completion. And it’s a super effective way of reminding yourself that you will get to the other side, and when you do, the dread and tension will shift and become positive emotions.
Ask yourself these kinds of questions:
- How will it feel when I finish my first draft?
- How will it feel when a publisher acquires my book?
- How will it feel to see my book on store shelves?
Then really tap into your body and hone in on where you feel that sense of accomplishment, pride, relief, excitement, fulfillment, etc. Let yourself savor that, knowing it’s on the way. All you have to do is keep taking the next small step forward.
Elisa Boxer is an Emmy and Murrow award winning journalist whose work has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Fast Company and Inc. magazine. She has reported for newspapers, magazines and TV stations, and has a passion for telling stories about people finding the courage to create change. She is the author of The Voice That Won the Vote, A Seat at the Table, One Turtle’s Last Straw, and this summer’s SPLASH! and Covered in Color. Elisa lives in Maine, and she has several more picture books on the way in 2023 and 2024. Visit her at https://www.elisaboxer.com/
Elisa is offering one lucky 12 x 12 member a choice of either a signed copy of any one of her books, or a 30-minute ask-me-anything chat! Get those new drafts written and those old ones revised for your best chance to win at the June check-in!
140 Responses
Thank so much for the helpful writing discipline hints!
Love the research suggestion. Not only might you find ideas for the project you’re researching, but you might find ideas for other stories, too!.
Elisa, Thanks for a terrific post! I just read your new book and it is excellent! I plan to point to it as a book to read along with my chapter book, The Adventure of the Big Fish by the Small Creek, because it is an ideal follow-up, offering important information in an accessible format. Kudos!
Very interesting tip about writing the press release before actually finishing the draft. I can see this helping with visualizing it as a finished story before actually completing it. Thanks for your insight!
Such great tips, thanks! Congratulations on your publishing success thus far!
Thank you for your post. I feel like I struggle with writing at irregular times being a mom. I take what time I can. Thanks for sharing!
I love the idea of writing the press release ahead of time! I find that writing my pitch, even if it’s imperfect, and keeping it at the top of my unfinished manuscript, helps me focus and stay on track. This is another terrific suggestion that helps clarify the vision for one’s work and keeps it from getting muddled and confused during the drafting and revision stages.
Thanks for sharing. Research is so time-consuming.
Wonderful tips! Thank you!
Love the “There’s a day for that” suggestion, I bet that will spark a lot of creativity…or just an excused to eat ice cream or donuts!
Very cool – what an inspiring, get-past-the-dread post! Thank you so much for sharing these sensible tips and the couple linked resources!
This made me feel better about not having a consistent writing schedule and gave me some tips to use when I can’t seem to get in the writing groove. Thank you!
Elisa, thank you for hitting the part of writing we all hit at one time of another. No one really enjoys the lull time and the sailing without a wind. I appreciate your tips and touching on a part of writing that is rarely addressed.
Thanks for sharing your strategies, Elisa. I’m a procrastinator and get distracted when I’m stuck. Envisioning being done might just get me back on track.
Elisa, these tips are wonderful. Thank you for showing how to get back into the game. Congrats on your books.
This was a great article! Thanks. I use a lot of these myself when I am stuck and can’t focus. It is a good reminder.
Thank you for sharing! Progress comes in many forms, and it’s helpful to hear different ideas to keep moving forward or getting unstuck.
Thank you for sharing your tips and the links!
I really love the idea about drafting a press release. It would help me explore the message I am trying to convey through my picture book and would probably help me have a clearer understanding about why I am writing the picture book in the first place.
Great share! Research is a really good one! I recently had a business coach talk to me about what it feels like when I write and then to tap into that feeling to motivate myself. Your message was a good reminder 🙂 Thank you 🙂
This was such a helpful and inspiring post. Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing. I am especially excited about the calendar link. Thank you.
Love the idea of feeling it done; validating the power of visualization paired with belief! Thank You!
This is so good. I think writing a press release, even if not under contract, may be good practice and helpful too in trying to write a pitch. Thank you. And should I shout out loud for anyone who hasn’t heard yet…I won a phone or zoom meeting with Elisa to review one of my stories. I’m over the moon!
Thank you, Elisa. Your suggestions are all helpful. I am three years into my writing journey. It is amazing. I love meeting other writers and receiving their advice.
This is so helpful Elisa! Thank you.
Great tips! I’m working on feeling a few MSS done right now. Congrats on your success!
Elisa, thank you for these tips. I had never considered writing the press release even before the book is sold, but it will be an interesting exercise. The links you provided are also very helpful.
I’ve added the calendar to my easy-access tools file and love the tip about writing a press release. Thanks for sharing such helpful information!
Thank you for sharing! I’m interested in what kind of fun spider facts you found. That sounds like a positive and productive internet rabbit hole (or spider web?) 🙂
Great tips! I had never considered writing a press release before! Thanks.
I love the little things you do, like opening the file and writing the press release. I have a few ‘little things’ of my own, such as writing the pitch and clipping it to the outside of my manila folder when I am working on a pb ms. It helps to read the pitch when I’m feeling down about a ms. I will definitely integrate some of your ideas into my own discilpine!
Thank you for sharing your process, Elisa. I’ve seen other “there’s a day” type information but this one had things I hadn’t seen before!
Thanks, Elisa, for all your great tips on jump-starting my manuscripts. They are all very helpful and very timely. And thank you for the additional information about calendar dates and press releases. I wish you continued success with your writing career and I look forward to reading your books.
Thanks for a great post, Elisa. I love the press release idea. Looking forward to all your books!
Elisa, Your topic came at just the right time. I have struggled with that ever-elusive writing schedule and beat myself up over not making it work. I’m going to try your process. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this great advice. I love that it didn’t involve actually writing the story, but working on it in another way. Congratulations on your books.
I like the idea of doing further research on a certain aspect of my topic to jiggle free some new ideas. This sounds like a good way to find cool new facts and to have a less pressured way to learn something new.
Thank you for the helpful writing tips, Elisa! I’m a fan of your books and it’s nice to know what works for you and how you stay productive.
This came at the perfect time! This time of year is so full of “other things to do”. Before you know it, the day is disappearing. It’s reassuring to read your post and realize that all of the related things we do beyond drafting, have value and serve a purpose in helping us move forward with our writing. We may not be pouring out a new draft every day, but we can still be taking steps that will bring us closer to our goal.
Thank you!
Thanks for these useful tidbits! I will return to this post when I get discouraged.
thank you for your ideas on press releases and visualization for finishing a project. I feel like
all of mine can use revision and never see the end coming near. You’ve shown me a new way
of thinking and what to do with press releases.
Great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations, Elisa and Marta! Thank you, Elisa, for your insights and tips–they are treasure!
Such great tips. Just open the file. Brainstorm. Write nonsense. I can do those things. Thanks, Elisa.
Thanks for all the practical and motivating activities to keep us writing! It is so easy to get distracted by life!
Such good tips! I always struggle at this point in the year.
What a wonderful post Elisa especially your tip about pulling out old projects from the drawer. I’m also working on a manuscript about spiders. I won a prize at the #50 Precious words organized by Vivian Kirkfield. There’s a lot of research involved. Happy writing.
Such great advice, at a time I really need it. Thank you!
Between work responsibilities, other activities, and KIDS I definitely beat myself up for not always getting my writing time in. I love these suggestions and all the helpful links. Thanks and congrats on these awesome publications!
WOW, you have done it all! Many thanks for sharing your tips. It is always helpful to learn how others create. I love the calendar link as well. Who knew!
These are brilliant strategies, Elisa. I feel better about those days when I just open up files and study them. And I also like the idea of finding a jump start when I reach the “muddy middle” in writing my stories. Great tips! Thank you so much.
Great suggestions! Thanks
Great post, Elisa! Thank you for giving us a peek at your writing journey. I have always used gardening to get back into the game when I’ve been stuck in the so-called “muddy middle.” There is something about getting my hands in the dirt that frees up my mind.
I can’t wait to tackle your “there is a day for that” calendar in detail… I’m sure that I will find scads of ideas lurking in various the months!! And I loved your idea of writing a press release even before the draft is done!
The problem with having a set writing schedule is that life always interferes. Thank you for offering us ways to focus on our writing without feeling like failures because our intentions were good, but reality seemed to creep in.
Fantastic tips! Sometimes the hardest part really is just opening the file! I love your other ideas to try as well. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks so these great tips Elisa! I’ve been feeling stuck on a project I’m working on recently, and these are helpful. Thank you too for the reminder about checking out the “there is a day for that,” calendar. My newest book includes sea turtles, so I’ll now definitely be doing a blog post for World Turtle Day!
Ohhhh, Elisa. This is exactly what I need here, halfway through the year, as a longtime proud productive procrastinator (as a freshman in college I not only wrote my own four-year class schedule plan, I also helped all my friends to the same, just to avoid writing a paper!) Anyway, I love this!!
Thanks for sharing your 4 tips to jumpstarting a new pb. I especially liked the section on Press Releases and the links you provided. One Turtle’s Last Straw is on my TBR. Best of luck with all your books.
The idea of doing a press release while manuscript is still in development was completely new to me. I’ve written press releases in my business positions, but I clearly did not connect the dots. I will be doing this soon for the three non-fiction book series that I am currently working on.
Elisa, thanks for sharing your great tips for ways to keep yourself centered during the in-between time. Good to know! 🙂
Thanks, Elisa. I’ve found so many moments where I’ve been either procrastinating or intimidated to work on a project. This really helps.
Thank you for the helpful tips, esp the press release link! And love ONE TURTLE’S LAST STRAW! Congrats on the recent release of this important book.
Great tips. Thanks!
Yes… that open a file got me. Sometimes I have started so many things and I don’t know which way to go. Very helpful post!
very helpful marketing tips–I think as authors we don’t think about this too much, but we need to!
Thanks, Elisa for some great tips! I can totally relate to the feeling of being overwhelmed and where to start some days!
Marianne
I loved all the tips and was impressed to learn that such an accomplished writer would get “stuck’…..there’s hope for us newbies. I would never have envisioned writing a “Press Release” when the story hasn’t been published yet!
Thank you for the link! I’m not political but I’m a Save The Manatees Floridian so ONE TURTLE’S LAST STRAW would be my chosen book to read. Congratulations and thank you for your Steps.
Great tips. Thanks for sharing.
Great suggestions, Elisa! Thank you and wishing you continued successes.
Thank you, Elisa! I can see how writing a press release can help unclog one’s brain! The calendar link is astounding…who knew there was a National Wiggle Your Toes Day! My third child was born on Great American Outdoors Day…maybe this predestined her to become the National Park Ranger she is today:)
Thanks for sharing! I am the queen of random research. Now to stop using it for procrastination …
Thanks for these tips, Elisa. I love the idea of “feel it done”.
Good tips – thanks!
Great tips, especially for overcoming those overwhelming feelings!
These are fabulous ideas. I am saving this.
Elisa: I love it that you too suffer from ‘irregular writing schedule’ syndrome. Thanks to you, I realize I can grab 15 minutes here and there and sit with the manuscript. Your suggestion of doing research on spiders for a picture book piece made me Google ‘dirt’ for one of my works in progress. Thanks.
These are great tips, Elisa! I used to write my query letter whenever I got stuck with an MS. Now that I’m agented, that doesn’t have the same umph. But writing a press release is a great replacement!
I love the idea for the press releases!
I love these ideas! Thanks for sharing. Writing a press release sounds like such a clever idea! I’ll get to that now. Just wrote my first NF picture book, a bio. So loved seeing your work. Thanks so much for this meaningful post!
Congratulations Elisa! Thank you for writing this post. I love the idea of writing out a press release, no matter the stage of my manuscript. Absolutely Awesome!
I really like the idea of writing a press release to announce a book that you have not completed! I can see how that would help me hone in on the main point of my story and clear up any ambiguity that lurks about hoping to derail my project.
I especially like the press release idea! It seems like a great way to get excited and also boil down the essence of your story. Thanks!
These are great tips! Thank you!
One Turtle’s Last Straw is a wonderful book (not to mention the title)! Thanks for sharing about writing press releases.
Thank you, Elisa! These are great tips that I really need this week.
Great tips… it was so fun to see the press release in there (I had never thought of that!). Thank you!
Congratulations on your writing success. It is helpful to learn about the process of successful writers.
Thanks for those practical and aspirational tips!
My daughter changed our family straw habits after watching the video! I just ordered the book for her. Thank-you!
Elisa,
These are such great ideas. I love the idea of creating a press release. Thank you for the examples, too. I love your books, expecially One Turtles Last Straw and look forward to seeing what comes out next.
I love your “Feel it Done” tip! I will give it a try! Love hearing how successful writers get things done! Thank you for sharing.
I love your suggestions! Sometimes the hardest part is just picking one file and opening it!
Thank you for all the helpful tips and ideas. Congratulations on your wonderful books and thanks for your giving spirit.
Elisa’s tips really resonated with me! I have also had a hard time getting a regular writing schedule and think her tips will come in very handy! I like the open file tip and research tip especially but they all are good ideas! I am interested in checking out her books!
Thanks Elisa, for the great tips. Your post is a good reminder to focus and tackle a ms one step at a time!
Thank you so much, Elisa, for the encouragement and the tips, I will use them! 😀
Thank you for the great, concrete advice. I’m a fan of A Seat at the Table, since Nancy Pelosi is my representative in Congress. I’m glad to learn about your other work.
I also struggle with sitting down and writing. I find that I do quite a bit of prewriting in my head. I’ve given myself permission to count that as spending time with my draft. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Thanks for the “I’m stuck” tips, Elisa. They are great and will be helpful in my writing journey.
Congratulations on your picture book success.
Well I’m ceratinly happy I read through Elisa’s post. Thank you for the inspiring information and the calendar of special days during the year. The website link is now glued to my desktop. Yay!
All the best to you Elisa as you journey through your author career.
Great tips. Thank you!
Thank you! This is such a relief to read. I feel like my writing process is to stew on it until I can’t take it anymore and *blah!* it all out on the page. Then I organize, refine, chop away, etc. However, that only works if I have an idea! For June, I made myself sit down with a blank page and just write whatever came out and see what would stick or felt like *hmm…maybe there’s something here?* It felt good to know that even though this might not be my next picture book, it sure is helpful to encourage that creative flow.
Thank you so much for the motivation tips! It never occurred to me writing press releases.
Thank you for the tips! Congrats on your latest, SPLASH!
Thank you for the great tips!
Thank you for these helpful tips! I’ll definitely use them throughout this writing journey.
Love these tips to keep the writing going even when you’re not necessarily writing. Thank you!!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one with a “highly irregular writing schedule”! But you’re right–if I can just open up one thing on one of my projects and get going, then at least I’m making progress. Love the press release idea! Thanks!
I love this idea of visualizing the project being done. I can feel a wave of satisfaction and pride wash over me just writing those words.
Very useful tips for when you’re “stuck” or not sure what to write. Thank you and Congrats on your books!
Thanks for the tips.
I love the feel it done method. I often tap into how it will feel when the book is acquired, published, on shelves, but feeling it done is new and I’m excited to give it a try! Thank you.
Bookmarking this! A much needed boost.
This is SO helpful. I should have read it at the beginning of the month!! Your links and ideas are just right for me at this point. Thank you.
Congratulations on your media and writing successes, Elisa! Thank you for these great tips, especially #4.
Thank you for sharing the helpful tips, Elisa!
Thanks for this encouraging post. Congratulations on your books.
Such great ideas for minimizing the stress. I always try to remind myself that I like to write, and that it’s fun!
These are great tips. I need to try out the writing press release idea!
I love your press release suggestion! Thanks for the tips and template.
I love the idea of writing a press release. Thank you for all the wonderful tips.
Elisa,
I am stuck on a couple of drafts and your tips-just open it up and consider next steps are helpful. I’d love to win 30 minutes to ask anything.
Sue
Thank you for this inspiring column and generous prize offer. And that link to the “there’s a day for that” site– oh, I’m gonna have some fun with that!
Hi Elisa, Thank you for a nice article. I really like the ideas of the press release, and just opening up the file. Some days I am so tired after work that I do not do anything, but if I open up the file it might get me motivated to do something. Thank you. Tracy T. Agnelli
Great timing for your writing tips. I will be using them often. I’m bookmarking the page.
They will help with the internal pressure we give ourselves. Congratulations on all of your upcoming books !
Such great and practical advice! Thank you!
Wow! What great advice!
Thank you. So inspiring and insightful!
Great tips for keeping the momentum going or for kickstarting ideas when stuck!
What an excellent post filled with useful information–thank you!!
Thanks for the tips!
Thank you for sharing these helpful tips!
I love the tip to imagine the feeling of success! Thank you.
I’m going to print this as a reminder. I’m a slow writer who often goes down the rabbit hole when doing research. These tips will help keep me focused. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for those great tips for moving forward on my manuscript even when I’m not adding to my word count.
Great ideas that are doable to implement! Thank you so much!
Love these actionable and motivating tips, tricks, and links! Thank you for sharing, Elisa!
Thank you for the great tips, Elisa! This is so helpful and a good reminder that we all can feel a sense of falling short sometimes or get a little stuck.