Chapter 1: Embracing Your Writing Journey

Many excellent story concepts and content ideas may never be realized. Ensure yours isn’t among them.

Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash

Creating content can often feel intimidating, leading many to shy away from the process. The idea of penning a novel or reflecting on personal experiences can push individuals toward distractions like cryptocurrency or real estate investment seminars.

For others, the challenge lies not in writing itself but in the initial leap. You might be excited about drafting a novel or writing an article on how to avoid financial pitfalls, but the act of starting can seem overwhelming.

Regardless of your situation, if you aspire to write, you'll eventually need to put words on the page. By breaking the process into manageable steps, it can transform from a daunting task into a more inviting endeavor.

Release Your Creative Thoughts

In 2018, I conceived a novel idea. During my commutes to and from my corporate job, I utilized the 45 minutes of solitude to mull over my story. With three young kids at home, this quiet time was a blessing.

As weeks progressed, countless ideas danced around in my mind, but I neglected to jot anything down—no clear plot or character sketches, just scattered thoughts.

Weeks turned into months, and my ideas became prisoners in my mind.

In late 2020, a former colleague reached out via Facebook. He had been laid off and was homeschooling his daughter during the COVID lockdowns.

He shared how he had used his free time to draft a James Bond fan fiction short story and intended to submit it to a publisher.

I was taken aback! I had no inkling he was interested in writing, let alone had completed a draft.

While I was preoccupied with pondering a story, he was actively writing one. Naturally, I offered to proofread and provide some amateur feedback. His story was decent for a first attempt, but what struck me most was his lack of formal writing education—yet he had a finished product.

Why? He didn’t overthink his narrative like I did; he focused and wrote diligently until completion. In contrast, I had nothing tangible, just a whirlwind of ideas.

If you’re contemplating writing a novel or creating online content, holding onto your ideas without action won't help—someone else may already be making strides!

Mini-Momentum: Just One Line

Hearing about my coworker’s success ignited a fire within me. That evening, I opened my laptop and stared at a blank document, the cursor blinking back at me as if urging, “What’s next?”

I began with a single line of dialogue, unsure of the context or characters involved. But I quickly realized that writing just a few words could set the narrative in motion.

This small step generated a sense of forward momentum. One line of dialogue prompted a response from another character, leading to a conversation.

The first scene I crafted featured an elderly couple searching for a pocket watch the husband misplaced in their home. He was impatient while his wife busily prepared a cake in the kitchen. The setting, their actions, and their banter unfolded vividly before me.

I might keep or discard this scene, but the initial momentum brought excitement and motivated me to return nightly to see where the characters and dialogue could lead.

You don’t need to draft an entire chapter—sometimes, a simple exchange between two characters is sufficient to gain that initial momentum.

Commit to Your Craft

After writing my first paragraph fueled by that momentum, I had characters, dialogue, and a setting—was it time to update my Instagram profile to "Aspiring Author"?

Maybe, but I needed to ensure I was genuinely committed to the craft. This commitment means establishing a new writing routine. It's insufficient to scribble a few lines sporadically and assume you’ll return when it’s convenient.

Some authors set daily word count targets to maintain their progress. If you choose this path, start with manageable goals. Are you a full-time parent juggling a full-time job? Expecting to produce 1,000 words daily might be unrealistic. Perhaps aim for 300 words initially, then gradually increase.

Daily word goals aren’t one-size-fits-all and may even dissuade some from writing. When starting, it's vital to make the process enjoyable to encourage a return the next day.

When I transitioned to nutrition consulting and was tasked with creating meal plans, my first step was to request a seven-day food log from my clients to analyze their eating habits.

If I noticed excessive sugar intake, I would suggest eliminating one or two items during the first week and gradually reducing more in subsequent weeks.

Going too hard too fast would likely lead to resistance.

Instead of imposing strict numbers, your goal can simply be to engage with your story daily, whether that’s brainstorming new characters or developing a premise.

You might only write 150 words today but reach 400 tomorrow. As long as you commit to nurturing your craft and keeping it enjoyable, you’ll find yourself returning each day.

Final Thoughts

Beginning a novel or creating online content shouldn’t feel overwhelming or like a drawn-out deliberation. It’s easy to get trapped in overthinking, but if you keep your ideas locked away, time will slip by without progress.

Focus on letting your ideas flow into written form. Cultivate the excitement that propels you forward.

Once you gain momentum, maintain it—commit to a realistic schedule that fits your life and keeps the process enjoyable for sustainability.

Remember, you don’t want some untalented former colleague to cross the finish line before you (just kidding, Mike—you’re a friend, not just a coworker).

Chapter 2: Practical Writing Tips

Explore five easy Instagram story ideas that can keep your content fresh every week. These tips will help you engage your audience and maintain a consistent online presence.

Discover five more Instagram story ideas that ensure you never run out of creative inspiration for your social media posts!