Prepare for Your Maybe Someday

by Rochelle Melander

When I created my tagline almost twenty years ago, “Where maybe someday becomes write now,” I was thinking about people who put off writing until:

I get more education.

I have more time.

I feel confident

In my teaching and coaching, I support people in finding ways to write right now, even though life is busy or they have a fierce inner critic.

Today I want to talk about what that might look like. Let’s say you’re a “maybe someday” writer. You’re not sure when you’ll have the time and energy to write. You can do a few things to prepare yourself for when the time is right. (Just like the quote, “Success is when preparation meets opportunity.”)

Read

Read in the genres you’d like to write. Record the books you read. Note what you liked and why. Consider:

+Is this the kind of book I want to write?

+What worked?

+What would I do differently?

If the book might be a good model for your book, save it.

Take notes

Keep lists of people and events you’d like to put in a book someday. Write down any interesting snippets of conversation you overhear or bits of research you want to save. (You never know when you might need it.) Keep a list of book ideas.

Learn

Whenever you have a chance, take a writing class. There are loads of them online and in your community. Try out classes in your genre or something totally different (like poetry or nature writing).

Retreat

Whenever you feel the urge, maybe once every two years, take a retreat. Bring your favorite books, your notes, and a blank journal. Review your notes and consider:

+Do I have an idea that could become a book?

+Is now the right time?

+If now is the right time, what do I need to do next?

+If now is not the right time, what could I do to prepare?

Write

I know, I know. You’re not ready for the “big project.” But you don’t need to write a book to write. Do my version of morning pages—a paragraph or two about anything you want at any time of the day. Try scribbling a poem—a haiku or a limerick. (Use a book of prompts like: The Magic Words: Simple Poetry Prompts That Unlock the Creativity in Everyone by Joseph Fasano).

Repeat!

Keep on preparing until the time is right. When that time comes, reach out to me. I’m happy to talk book ideas, consider your book structure or genre, or help you figure out your publishing path.

Your turn

When now is not the right time for you to write that book, how do you keep the fire alive?

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She’s helped hundreds of people write and publish books. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/