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.

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.