Did you end 2025 feeling like that raccoon on the liquor store floor?
Yeah, me too, Reader. Me too. 😮💨
After losing 2 family members and being diagnosed with lupus, I was nearly 😵 by an antibiotic. And that’s just the big stuff.
And maybe nothing really big happened in your life per se, but 2025 still felt like a lot.
And your winter holiday ended up feeling more stressful than restful. 😵💫
And the thought of jumping back into anything creative leaves you cringing with apprehension. 😬
Worry not, Reader, I got you.
Here’s how to get back into writing after the end-of-year holiday chaos:
1) Clean your space
Spruce up your writing environment. Whether that means…
✴️ Giving your creative corner a good vacuum and a scrub.
✴️ Shoving all your unused ideas into a folder labeled 2025 Story Ideas
✴️ Or spending some time reorganizing all your story files in your Docs folder.
2) Review your work
Returning to an old project after a long break—even if it’s only been a few weeks—can feel daunting.
✴️ So approach your story as if you’re just starting your creative adventure and begin, well, at the beginning.
✴️ As you reread your work, use a program with a side-by-side view option or keep a notebook handy to make a fresh character and location list as well as a simple, barebones outline.
3) Start fresh with a new idea
But…maybe you’re not feeling like diving back into an old project just yet. Especially if you ended 2025 feeling like you were that dumpster on fire.
Never fear, Reader.
✴️ Why not start fresh with a new idea to get your creative forges burning bright?
✴️ Maybe even select a prompt from the dozens available to you in the Story Archive. (There’s nearly 1 1/2 years' worth!)
✴️ You can even crack open a shiny new notebook to fill with all your ideas.
But whatever you choose to do, Reader, remember to be kind to yourself. 2025 was no walk in the park, and 2026 has come out guns blazing.
Instead of being on a perpetual creative marathon, where one misstep earns you an epic faceplant.
Take things at a healthy pace. Because you don’t want to burn out before you even make it to February.
Until next time, Reader, this is your friendly neighborhood storytelling Kat wishing you a wonderfully creative week.
Your cohort in storytelling,
Kat Vancil
🐱
PS 👉 Due to the holidays, this month’s prompt words are a week late. Sorry about that. They should be available now in your inbox and the Story Archive.
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Hi! I'm Kerry Savage, writer and book coach.
by Kerry Savage
I help fiction writers answer their story questions, overcome imposter syndrome, and stay focused and accountable so they can finish their novel with confidence. Check out the resources I offer and sign up for my newsletter! |
