Two Reasons Why You’re Struggling to Start Your Novel (Spoiler: It’s Not Lack of Time)
For a long time, I told myself the reason I wasn’t writing was simple: time. After teaching all day, parenting in the evenings, and grading papers in the spare seconds in between, I felt too tired to write. How could I possibly start something creative at the end of my day?
Even on the rare days when I did have an hour to myself, I still didn’t write. Instead, I would clean a drawer, scroll my phone, put away a load of laundry…and the list goes on (see my post on productive avoidance). I told myself I needed a bigger block of time to be creative, but underneath all of that was a quieter, heavier feeling I kept ignoring: I felt guilty.
The quiet weight of guilt
I felt guilty that I had this big dream of wanting to write a novel. Wanting time to write felt selfish. Indulgent. My family and my students needed me. My dreams could should wait.
Ridiculous.
Instead of protecting my time, I quietly gave it away. I told myself I’d write later, when the kids were older, when school was calmer, when life wasn’t so full. My dream kept getting pushed to the bottom of the list because I falsely believed I had to pick one: help others achieve their dreams or achieve my own.
The moment I realized this is not an “either/or” but rather an “also/and” situation, my life as a writer truly began. Suddenly, the issue of time didn’t feel like an issue. I was making time for my writing, and writing actually gave me energy, rather than draining it.
The second piece: structure
But then there was the second issue: a lack of knowledge.
I was ready to write my novel, but no one had ever taught me how to write one. I knew how to write lessons, units, and course curriculum. I could scaffold learning for thirty-five students at once. But when it came to my own story, I was staring at a blank page with no roadmap. So, instead, I turned to other, shorter forms of writing that felt manageable and familiar: blog posts, narrative essays, flash fiction, even the occasional poem.
It wasn’t until I learned a system and a structure that my novel-writing dream finally took off.
If any of this resonates, know you’re not alone. You’re not lazy. You’re not undisciplined. And you’re definitely not unrealistic for wanting to write a novel. You’ve simply been carrying a dream without permission or a process.
Both of those things can be learned.
A small step you might try this week: write down two specific moments when shame or guilt stopped you from writing. Maybe it was the thought, “I should be doing something more productive,” or “My family needs me more.” Just notice them; naming those thoughts often takes away some of their power.
If you’d like more support around this, I’m hosting a free webinar where I’ll talk more about both writing blocks: the emotional weight of guilt and the stalling out that happens without structure.
Why It’s Not About Time: The Real Blocks Between You and the Novel You Want to Write
A webinar for teacher moms who dream of writing a novel but feel stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure where to begin.
Wednesday, February 4th
7–8 p.m. EST
Most importantly, I’ll share some simple strategies to push past these emotional and logistical blocks so you can finally start (or finish) your novel. It’s time to ignite your creativity and live out your dream of being a novelist and a mom and a teacher.
You don’t have to choose. You can be all three.
