Jumpstarting the Year
The Power of Consistent Creativity
Setting an Art Trap
Tried something new…and liked it.
That statement, on its own, isn’t unusual. I’m often willing to try new things—as long as they aren’t dangerous, noxious, or otherwise risky. I also prefer that they not be too difficult, cumbersome, expensive, time-consuming, or embarrassing. If all of those criteria are met, I consider myself downright adventurous.
When I received an email from Sisters in Crime—an organization I belong to and heartily recommend to any writer—announcing a program called the January Jumpstart, I decided to give it a try. Their Jumpstart consists of daily “Write-Ins,” offered five times a day throughout the month. They’re held on Zoom, hosted by one or two SinC members, and attended by anywhere from a dozen to several dozen writers who log on and…write. Each session includes two 25-minute sprints with a five-minute break in between, during which the host asks questions, reads comments from the chat, and provides a bit of intermission entertainment.
When I signed up, my goal was to attend one Write-In every day in January. So far, I have missed only three—thanks to travel and other commitments. Not bad.
I’ve known about SinC’s Write-Ins for a while. They’re usually offered several times a week, but the January Jumpstart (like their November NaNoWriMo event) offers them daily. Until recently, I didn’t see the point. I like to write alone, at my desk, with no noise or distractions.
Why would I choose to log onto Zoom and have someone tell me to start writing “now,” only to stop twenty-five minutes later and chat about how it went?
But then I tried it. And now I get it.
There is something deeply satisfying about having a goal, being held accountable, and sharing that experience with others. It’s also fun to watch a manuscript grow at a steady pace—word by word, page by page, chapter by chapter.
Back in November, my husband introduced me to a podcast called The Telepathy Tapes. During a car trip, we listened to Season Two, Episode Three: “The Consciousness of Creativity: Are Ideas Alive And Do They Choose Us?” In it, Ky Dickens interviews Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic. Gilbert describes calling in inspiration while already at work—sitting at her desk, ready for one hour. She uses the phrase, “setting an art trap,” which evokes the idea of showing up and being ready to receive. Maybe inspiration doesn’t arrive every day. Maybe the trap stays empty. But still you show up.
That idea resonated with me.
I’ve never been one of those writers who writes every day. It’s not for lack of wanting or trying—I’ve made countless attempts over the years. But I’ve never managed to stick with it, always getting derailed for one reason or another.
But then, in that same podcast episode, Gilbert also talks about working for an hour and then walking away, even if she’s in a flow state. If she keeps going for several more hours, the flow doesn’t return the next day. She’s closed the loop, overworked the moment, and has to start from scratch to find that creative energy again.
I was stunned when she said this—because it’s exactly the problem I’ve always had. When the writing is easy and the words are flying, I keep going. Sometimes all day. And then I’m burnt out and unable to write for several days. Many of my books have been written this way: in fits and starts. The idea of slow and steady progress—without burnout—is incredibly appealing. But it has always been seemingly unattainable for me.
So when SinC offered its January Jumpstart, I signed up. And I showed up (almost) every day. My manuscript grew from a couple of short, repeatedly rewritten chapters to nearly half a book. During the hour-long Write-Ins, I simply got to work. Some days I wrote only fifty words because I was editing, researching, or wrestling with plot issues. Other days the words came so quickly I could barely keep up, and I ended the session with fifteen hundred new ones.
This experiment—trying something new, and doing it with other writers—has been productive, enlightening, and surprisingly enjoyable. It’s also something I hope becomes a tried-and-true habit once January ends. We’ll see. Maybe by showing up briefly but consistently, instead of relying on sporadic marathon sessions, I can harness a little of that Big Magic Elizabeth Gilbert describes.
If you have a habit, process, or mantra that helps you tap into your own wellspring of creativity—something that reliably invites inspiration—I’d love to hear about it.
Over on my podcast . . .
During the last couple of months, I had some great guest authors visit with me on The Bookshop at the End of the Internet podcast. Check them out!
Episode #260 Author Nancy Bernhard discusses her powerful debut novel, The Double Standard Sporting House. Set in New York City, 1868, during the shadowy reign of Tammany Hall, Nancy’s story follows Doc—a sharp, fearless woman who runs an elite brothel as a covert way to fund her free clinic for women. Her world is one of grit, autonomy, and unexpected power, built at a time when society demanded “respectability” above all else. Nancy shares the surprising historical research behind the novel, including eye‑opening statistics about sex work in 19th‑century NYC and the complex reasons so many women entered the trade. We also dive into her writing journey, the family inspiration behind the book, and why she describes medicine of the era as “the wild west.” If you love historical fiction, hidden histories, or stories about women carving out their own paths, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
Episode #259 Author Joe Battaglia discusses his debut novel, Beneath the Rings. Joe is a seasoned sports journalist who spent years covering the Olympic Games. His experiences inspired Beneath the Rings, which centers around a terrorist event at the 2040 Summer Olympic Games in Doha. In this story, an independent journalist finds herself in the center of an international hostage situation and has to race against time to uncover the terrorist plot steeped in corruption, trafficking, and revenge to save the Olympic Games from international disaster. Joe has drawn upon his nearly thirty-year career in journalism, including coverage of multiple Olympic Games, to craft a fictional story based on an amalgamation of people he’s known, places he’s been, and events he’s witnessed.
Episode #258 (Note: the error is numbering) Author Susie Spikol about her books Forest Magic (For Kids) and The Book of Fairies. Susie has spent nearly thirty years working as a naturalist at nature centers and spends her time reminding people about the wonders of open-ended play outdoors. In Forest Magic, she has created dozens of activities for kids and parents that are inspired by her work and the magic of the natural world. Her latest book, The Book of Fairies, is a field guide to fairies. She began this book when she was eight years old, making up stories to explain what she saw in the natural world. The Book of Fairies includes real science peppered throughout its pages, as well as a fun and imaginative “how to find” section for each fairy.
Episode #258 In the conclusion of this two‑part series, The Bookshop at the End of the Internet presents four more conversations with members of the First Coast Romance Writers, recorded during their recent retreat. This episode features Melody Johnson, Leah Miles, Vanessa Victoria Kilmer, and Vickey Wollan—authors whose work spans romantic suspense, paranormal worlds, adventure, and holiday stories. From ghosts and haunted lore to treasure hunting, Navy SEALs, and the creative resilience of writing with dyslexia, these interviews highlight the breadth and imagination of the romance genre. Join host Stacey Horan as she wraps up this special series celebrating storytelling, community, and the joy of discovering new authors.
Episode #257 In this first installment of a special two‑part series, The Bookshop at the End of the Internet features five brief, lively interviews recorded onsite at a working retreat of the First Coast Romance Writers. Host Stacey Horan chats with Maggie FitzRoy, LaTisha Redding, Lynn Westhoff, Marie Morton, and Ann Wright—authors at various stages of their writing journeys who bring humor, passion, and unique perspectives to the romance genre. From YA themes to paranormal trilogies to Caribbean‑inspired sports romance, this episode offers a warm, engaging look at the many ways stories take shape. Tune in for books, inspiration, and a behind‑the‑scenes glimpse into a vibrant writing community.
One more thing . . .
Happy Groundhog Day!
Every year, our Christmas cactus ignores the calendar and chooses to bloom right around Groundhog Day—and this year is no exception. Considering how wicked this winter has been for so many of us, I’m hoping Punxsutawney Phil keeps his shadow to himself so we can avoid another six weeks of brutal winter weather. Stay warm, stay safe, and may your February be a little brighter than your forecast!