How I Fell In Love with My Life

The story of how I fell in love with my life is also the story of how I became an overnight success.

No, I didn’t wake up one morning to 100K followers on social media or a million downloads of my podcast or a six-figure book deal from one of the Big 5 publishers.

But one morning I woke up and realized I was living the life I once prayed for and dreamed about.

I have always wanted to write and teach, and I’ve been doing both since even before I was an adult! I started writing as soon as I could sit up straight, according to my mom. And I’ve been teaching since my high school days as a math/science camp counselor. But during my years as a staff reporter at a paper in Louisville, Kentucky, I realized that I wanted to write on my own terms. And while I was an English teacher at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, I realized that as much as I loved ASFA, I wanted to teach on my own terms too. But what would that look like, I wondered.

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My December Ta-Da List for 2024

Trade your December to-do list for a December Ta-Da List!

I can’t take credit for coming up with that name. One year a Collective member used the term during a monthly planning session, and it stuck. And since then, it’s become a yearly ritual for me.

Usually, I help the members of the See Jane Write Collective each month set 3 major goals -– one writing goal, one wellness goal, and one goal for another area of life that needs attention. But December is such a wacky month for most folks, and we usually have a long list of things we want, need, and must wrap up before the end of the year. But we turn this to-do list into a ta-da list by making sure we include fun stuff and acts of self-care too.

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Gift Ideas for Writers 2024

Yes, you’ll find gift ideas for writers here but this isn’t your typical gift guide.

The 2024 See Jane Write Gift Guide is here! While most gift guides are about helping you choose gifts for others, this one is all about helping you treat yo self! And these are gifts meant to help you start the new year off “write” – see what I did there?

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Create a Schedule for Your Ideal Week: A Guide for Busy Writers

Creating a schedule for the ideal week is one of the first things I ask my coaching clients to do.

I don’t have the time to write! I hear this A LOT from women who have an idea for a book, blog, or newsletter but just can’t seem to put pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard. I get it. You’re busy. But here’s some tough love – we’re all busy! Unless you’re amid a major life change, your busy schedule doesn’t make you special. Sorry (not sorry).

Now I’m not denying that you are juggling a lot between work, family, and community commitments. But there is a way to make time for ALL OF THIS and make time for writing. Yes, it is possible to write and have a life! The key is to be intentional and having a model or ideal week schedule can help you do exactly that.

A model week helps you intentionally block out time for what matters most while leaving space for self-care and fun. Ready to create your ideal week? Let’s dive in!

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5 Routines for Writers With Busy Lives

Creating routines for writers is a bit of an obsession of mine because I believe good time management is the key to both a successful writing career and a fulfilling life. As a writer, you probably already know that having a writing routine can help you write that book, launch that blog, or stay consistent with your newsletter. But what you may not realize is that having routines for other aspects of your life can elevate your writing too.

To make the most of your creative energy, having routines in place is key. Whether you’re trying to squeeze in writing around other commitments or want to create a rhythm that lets you flourish, routines can help you stay focused, energized, and on track.

My five years as a full-time freelance writer and the 10 years I spent juggling writing with being an English teacher have shown me that there are five essential routines every writer needs. Let’s dive in!

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