The Next Write Thing
September always feels a little like a new beginning for me.
I’m not sure if it’s because kids are going back to school and my author friends, who are wearing multiple roles as parents, employees, and authors, finally find a little bit more time to dedicate to their writing, or if it’s just because I’ve spent so many years adhering to school calendars that it feels like a natural time to start over.
Regardless of the reasoning, I know for certain that September is a time for me to reassess, slow down, and plan what I want to accomplish before Thanksgiving.
Since beginning this full-time author and coaching life, I’ve learned that I can’t plan my working life out until the end of the calendar year because, much like the summer months, nothing happens in the writing world between Thanksgiving and the first of the year.
Again, it’s another one of those things I can’t nail down. I’ve just come to accept it as fact.
So, I’m sitting here with almost half of September gone, and I’m thinking about what the next couple of months look like. I find myself looking around my office, reflecting on the past year, checking my calendar, and asking God for confirmation that I am headed in the right direction.
I just started a project.
It’s not the project I’ve been working on since the beginning of the year. It’s not the one I have outlined, brainstormed, and even have several chapters written on. But it is the project that God has nudged me to write and the one that seems like the next write (see what I did there) thing for my readers.
If I’m being honest, there’s part of me that fought tooth and nail to move ahead with my originally scheduled programming instead of pivoting—even though I knew I needed the pivot.
I love a system and a plan. I love to check things off my to-do list. Starting an entirely new project was not doing any of those things.
So, if you’re reading this today and you’re twitching a bit while fighting the urge to start that next thing, I see you! I feel it in my soul! You are my people!
As I sit here staring at my computer screen and thinking about you all, my authorly friends, I just want to take a minute to encourage you to stop today and assess where you are and where you’re going for the rest of your authorly year.
Maybe take ten minutes right now to pick up your journal or open a new note and answer these three questions:
What have I already accomplished this year?
What feels most important for me to complete before Thanksgiving?
What is the next write thing for me?
More than just stopping and reflecting, though, I want to encourage you to do one more thing: Start.
It might seem like an odd time to start a project. You might have a ton of uncertainties. You might have no idea where God is going to take this project. But I know one thing for sure—you will never finish a project you don’t start.
So, authorly friends, let this be the gentle nudge you need to start the outline, brainstorm for the course, create the cover art, write the devotional, create the companion guide, or embrace whatever the next step is God is placing before you.
And, as always, if you need encouragement, coaching, a cheerleader, or help formulating a plan, I’m only ever an email away.
Reflection Questions
Is there a project or idea you keep returning to, even though it wasn’t part of your original plan for this year? What might be worth paying attention to there?
Are you holding onto a plan because it is still the right one—or because changing direction feels uncomfortable?
What is one small step you can take this week to actually begin your next write thing?
I write in two spaces. A Seat at the Table is where I explore faith, healing, and making room for honesty after it’s been made complicated. Ink & Intention is for writers who want to show up with clarity, discernment, and integrity—especially online.
I’m also the author of Breathing Again and several guided journals, and I work with writers who want thoughtful, grounded support as they find their voice and shape what comes next.
If you’re a writer looking for thoughtful encouragement, practical strategy, and honest conversations about the writing life, you’re also welcome to join us inside The Visible Author Facebook Community.
If something here resonated, you’re welcome to explore more at your own pace. You can find everything in one place at KristenNeighbarger.com.
