How to Keep Writing When the Publishing World Hits Snooze

How do you maintain your writing life during the “in-between” seasons? How do you keep going between book deals, day jobs, drafts, or deadlines? What systems or habits help you stay connected to your work when there’s no external validation?

 

Ah, the “in-between” seasons — that curious stretch of time when you’re not riding the wave of a book deal, no shiny deadline is flashing on your calendar, and your day job is demanding all your attention. It’s literary Purgatory where motivation takes a coffee break and external validation is as scarce as a unicorn in Times Square.

 

So, how do you keep your writing life alive when the publishing industry isn’t exactly sending you bouquets? Here’s my no-nonsense, slightly sweaty (thanks to exercise), and hopeful guide to staying connected to your craft:

 

1. Move Your Body, Free Your Mind

Let’s get real — sitting for hours chained to a desk isn’t doing your hip flexors or creativity any favors. My secret weapon? Walking. Not just any walk, but a daily 10K-step meditation. There’s something magical about pacing the neighborhood, letting plot problems unravel and dialogue dance in your head like a jazz trio. Beachbody workouts help me mix it up, breaking the sitting curse and reminding me to pay myself first — physical fitness is the ultimate self-investment.

 

2. Feed Your Brain With Stories — On Screen and Page

Sure, I read — but I also watch movies like a writer on a secret mission. My favorite? Films from the Thirties. Why? Because back then, writers had to get clever with dialogue, dodging censors left and right. That sharp economy of words is a masterclass in storytelling. Plus, watching how the camera narrates helps me rethink scene construction and pacing in fresh ways.

 

3. Chuck the Validation Game — You’re Not Missing a Box

Let’s face it: the publishing industry is a fickle beast. It’s less about merit and more about timing, trends, and connections — many totally out of your control. You can tick every box and still get a resounding NO because someone’s looking for a box that doesn’t even exist (maybe it’s hidden behind the fridge).

 

Here’s the thing: just showing up, day after day, time in the chair and fingers on the keyboard like a concert pianist, that’s the real win. If you’re still writing despite the noise and the silence, you’ve already proven something huge: writing isn’t just work, it’s joy disguised as discipline.

 

So, whether you’re mid-draft, stuck in query limbo, or just trying to keep your writing life humming during the “meh” seasons, remember — moving your body, feeding your brain, and ditching the validation treadmill are the best systems I know.

 

Keep showing up.

Keep creating.

The rest? It’ll come when it’s ready.