Formatting your manuscript doesn’t have to wait until the end. In this quick guide, I’ll show you how to set up your novel in Google Docs using a simple, standard format with three short videos and a ready-to-use template.

Writing a novel is a long process, and it’s easy to forget how far you’ve come. In this post, I share why documenting your writing journey matters—and simple ways to start, even if you’re short on time. This small habit can help you stay motivated, build community, and create a record of your progress as a writer.

Do you hear your story, or do you see it?
Some writers draft through dialogue while others picture the scene first. Recognizing your natural tendency can help you write forward without getting stuck trying to perfect every detail at once.

Returning to your novel after time away can feel harder than stepping away in the first place. If you’re unsure what to write next, the solution may not be more outlining or planning. This post explores a simple way to reconnect with your story by leaning on your characters to help you move forward again.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your novel is step away from it. Life interruptions don’t mean you’ve lost momentum or commitment; they’re often part of a sustainable creative process. In this post, I share why taking breaks can actually deepen your connection to your story and how to return to writing without guilt or pressure.

You run a classroom. You manage a family. You can write a novel. If you’ve been starting and stopping, it’s not because you lack creativity. It’s because you haven’t been shown a clear, step-by-step way to build your story or given yourself permission to protect the time it requires.

Between teaching, parenting, and everyday life, your writing time is limited, which makes choosing the right novel idea feel surprisingly high stakes. If you’re stuck between too many possibilities, this post will help you sort through the noise, clarify what matters most, and pick one story to begin.

Your novel ideas aren’t scattered because you’re disorganized — they’re scattered because you’re writing in the margins of a very full life. Sticky notes, Google Docs, random notebooks… it all counts. Here’s the simplest way to gather everything into one place so you can finally move forward with your novel.

If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll write your novel “when life slows down,” this might feel familiar. I used to think time was the problem too, until I realized guilt and a lack of structure were what actually kept me stuck. The good news? Both of those things can change.

Ever notice how “getting ready to write” turns into cleaning, organizing, or revising old work? That’s not procrastination. It’s productive avoidance, a protective response that shows up when you’re overwhelmed or stuck. Here’s how a clear, gentle plan can help you move forward with your novel.

Writing a novel doesn’t follow the calendar. If you’re feeling behind, this post offers reassurance, perspective, and a gentle way to take back control of your writing—without pressure, guilt, or starting over.

These are the books that most helped me shift my mindset as a writer. Because the truth is, a negative attitude can derail even the strongest writing skills. Learning how to protect your mindset is just as important as learning craft. These reads offer tools to help you stay steady, hopeful, and moving forward.

Have you heard the terms “alpha” and “beta” readers thrown around and wondered what they meant? Here’s a quick breakdown of both to help you decide which of the two you may be ready for with your own novel.

If you think you’re too old (or too young!) to write a novel, you’re not. There’s no “window of opportunity” to write one. You write a novel when you’re ready to finally commit to writing it. You can commit at any time, but it does take commitment.

Writing a novel can feel lonely fast, especially when you’re trying to figure everything out by yourself. But willpower isn’t what gets most writers to the finish line. Support is. In this post, I share my number one tip for novelists: find your people and stop writing alone.