So, what is a motivated writer to do? My humble suggestion? Plan in writing breaks. Take time to dream and to plan ahead. Just as you allow yourself to tap out a first draft without your editing cap on, give yourself a chance to dream without limits.

It’s true, most of the wisdom you see out there stresses the importance of creating a daily writing habit and planning regular writing retreats in order to tackle those larger projects. Most of us are writing in the margins of life, in the midst of working and running our families. So when, exactly, are we supposed to squeeze in time to dream and plan ahead? There are only so many hours in the day, after all!

Here’s the reality, though: Saying you’re too busy writing to stop and dream is like saying you’re too busy driving to stop for gas. Without a vision of where you want to go and a plan for how you’ll get there, your writing will inevitably hit a dead end. Then you’ll have no choice but to stop — and it won’t be on your terms and it will be far more costly. Ask me how I know…