Workbook: Start Fresh and Reconnect with Writing
I hope this gives you inspiration, motivation and guidance to help you excitedly connect or reconnect with your writing dream
This workbook was created for everyone who wants a fresh start with writing.
Note: The insights and tips shared here can also be applied towards any creative activity or healthy habit—whether writing or other—that you’re interested in pursuing.
Whether you’re looking to establish a writing habit for the first time or coming back to writing after a break—or even looking for a fresh start in your relationship with writing or another creative activity—this is for you. My hope is that you will find all the inspiration, motivation and guidance you need to excitedly jump into something you love: writing.
This workbook is chock full of ideas, exercises, tips and insights designed to hopefully help you feel EXCITED about writing (or another creative project). If you’re not feeling excited, that’s okay! That happens. I hope this workbook helps you feel that feel-good writerly feeling. And if you’re already excited, I hope this workbook helps you feel that MOMENTUM!
Happy writing!
~ Marisa
Note on how this workbook, well, works: This workbook contains seven sections of content designed to be explored on seven different days—in a row or at your own pace. I do recommend, though, reading and exploring each of the seven activities on seven different days.
Table of Contents
Part 1: What’s in your heart?
Day 1: Who are you?
Day 2: What is your writing “why”?
Day 3: Which places help you feel your love of writing?
Part 2: What’s stopping you or slowing you down from making your writing dream come true?
Day 4: Solutions to common writing challenges: getting and staying in the habit of writing
Day 5: Solutions to common writing challenges: improving writing
Day 6: Solutions to common writing challenges: making your writing dream come true
Day 7: Organize your writing dream in bite-size goals
Note: In days one and two of this workbook, there’s a lot of getting to know each other, which means I share some of my writing journey. Please note that this is not about me—it’s about you and helping to support your writing journey. I share some of my writing journey with you in the hopes of providing an example of how you can dive deep into who you are, too, so you can connect to your writing. I also hope this helps you start a conversation about yourself with yourself, or with us fellow writers here too!
We will dive deep into actionable writing tips in the second part of the workbook to help you clear obstacles to help you pursue your writing dreams.
Writing is about emotions and thoughts. The first couple of days where we focus on our backgrounds and stories will help you connect with, feel and possibly share your feelings, which will provide the momentum needed for achieving your writing dreams.
Note (again): I really want this workbook to help you. You’re probably thinking the same thing. So, if I may, I’d like to emphasize that I think that this workbook will do more for you if you embrace the “work” part as well as the “book” part.
I like to read books with writing advice while relaxing, and maybe you do too. But this is one of those times where I’m highly recommending you also stop reading to do the homework part too. I’ve heard this before and maybe you have too: you'll get out of this what you put into it.
The key here is to provide you with exercises and ask you questions that will help you feel genuinely motivated to write—if that is your thing. I really, really hope this workbook helps you reconnect with and make your writing dream come true!
Part 1: What’s in your heart?
Day 1: Who are you?
Hi, everyone! My name is Marisa and I am so honoured to hopefully help you pursue your love of writing!
My approach to life: follow your heart.
When I was five years old, filling notebooks with story after story, I knew that I wanted to be a writer. I wrote so many short stories when I was a kid, and then I branched out into poetry. In later elementary school years, I started writing chapter books, usually stories about kids learning helpful lessons.
What is your earliest memory of when you became interested in writing?
What do you like about writing?
Then, in high school, I started writing novels. I kept writing and editing them while earning my B.A. Specialized Honours in English. I was still determined to become a published author and share my stories, but I also wanted to ensure I earned regular income, so I decided to work towards becoming a magazine editor. I applied and was selected to complete a Book & Magazine Publishing certificate in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Through the program, I learned more about becoming a magazine editor while also studying the book publishing industry from the perspective of an interested writer.
If you put aside factors and facts, what role do you want writing to play in your life? (A job? As a hobby? Both? If a job, what kind of job?)
I kept working on my books while completing four publishing internships and then started working as a writer and an editor at various digital and print publications. I’ve been working in publishing for more than a decade now, with experience as a freelance article writer, bilingual senior editor, magazine editor, technical writer and, most recently, UX writer.
And I’m still editing my books! It’s a long process, but I’ve learned a lot along the way by learning about the book publishing industry in school, meeting publishing professionals, participating in writing workshops, reading books and, of course, by writing, writing and doing more writing.
Since I first started writing, some of my poems and short stories have been published. As an adult, my focus has been on publishing my novels. I’m currently editing In Your Dreams, which I plan to submit to literary agents later this year (or next year, at this point. Editing, editing, editing!)
What kind of writing do you do? What kind of writing do you want to do or want to do more of? (Poetry? Short stories? Novels? Any particular genres?)
What do you want to do with your writing? Do you want to keep your writing private? Do you want to publish it in print or online? Do you prefer to share it privately with specific readers?
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