Mental or Physical?

So, now you’re organized, right?

Ha. Just kidding.

I bet you have a list of priorities. Maybe you even have the energy to attack them. Maybe not.

This is hard. It’s a hard process, but it’s worth it. All the best things always are.

So, we persist.

Last week, we answered WHERE? and HOW? Now, we step into WHEN: You guessed it.

NOW.

If HERE is as good a place to start as any, then there’s no time like the present, either.

If you’re following this process, you’ve got a list. Let’s make it work for you in 3 steps:

Remove what’s not working

ELIMINATE the Excess. Whether you’re clearing your calendar or your counter, START SMALL. Not everything needs to go, and you need data to show what’s not working.

Are you not showing up? Why Not? Is a tool dysfunctional? Pitch it. Is an event draining you? Reschedule or delegate.

In a previous email, I gave you the challenge to FLASH FILE items in your space [COMMENT or DM ME if you need to know how to FLASH FILE (hint: it will change the way you clean)!].

Reassess what you want

REMEMBER your Big Goal. I was reminded recently (hence all the habits talk) that what we want is (annoyingly) frequently on the other side of what we’re refusing/resisting.

Ponder that and ask yourself: “What is the 1 Thing that, if done daily, could not help but get me where I am?”

Voila, your new habit.

Recommit to the process

DECIDE what to be and go be it. If that 1 thing is not going to get you to your passion, then you don’t need to do it. It’s that simple.

What’s NOT at all simple, I’m afraid, is that you may have the wrong passion.

If your dream isn’t enough to drive you, or it’s time to PIVOT, let’s talk!

What’s Next:

PAPERBACK PROMO: COMING SOON (MAY)! PRE-ORDER Signed copies on my WEBSITE!

EDIT SOBER and LIVING WRITE in JUNE 2026 (GROUP)

If you’re looking to start a NEW DRAFT, NEW ROUTINE, or EDIT a current project, LET’S TALK about LIVING WRITE or EDIT SOBER, starting JUNE 2026 (for groups, but asynchronous courses are available)!

INTERESTED? [Contact me or COMMENT the Course Name you need!]

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

ASD Draft 1: GOAL: 50K-word draft by May 1, 2026!

Words so far: 12,011

Stuck in the Muddy Middle. It happens. I knew it would. Most of the story to this point has already been written or at least gathered. From here on out, it’s about 65% new territory. Wish me luck!

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Tuesday Evenings: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

Creative Collective: NEXT MEETING (tentatively): MAY (the) 4 (be with you), 2026 @7:30 PM

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey

Are you overwhelmed by your Spring Cleaning (or any major task on your plate)? The best thing to do is START.

BUT WHERE? I hear you ask. Right here. Right where you are.

BUT HOW? If you don’t like this answer, I have others, but the way my brain works, sometimes I have to Corral the Chaos, and the best way to do that is WRITE. IT. DOWN. and get it OUT of my brain box. From there, I can put it in front of my eyeballs, see it, and then deal with it. Making an actionable, efficient list is usually my answer.

HERE’S how…but first you have to know what you want to do.

Write it down. Identify it. Own it. You want it. Are you ready to get it? Let’s go!

1. Identify the Big Task.

I’ve talked about this before and offered a handout called EAT THE ELEPHANT, which I am happy to do again [COMMENT or DM me to get it!]

The idea is simple: break a big task into smaller, more manageable tasks to make progress more noticeable and efficient.

2. Break [the Big Task] Down

I’m working on a new novel. That might be my big task. From there I can expect some or all of the following categories. These can become my Subtasks:

• Drafting
• [Self]-Editing
• [Outside]-Editing
• Front Matter
• Back Matter
• Cover

I try not to break down a Big Task into more than 6 Subtasks, so really check if your tasks could be combined. For example, I could totally combine the Editing and the Front/Back Matters if I needed to, but this breakdown is the most helpful for me. Use what works for you.

3. Break [each Subtask] Down [again]

Then it’s time to break down each Subtask. Again, I try not to let this get out of hand, but here’s where you can go crazy with those tasks. These are ACTION ITEMS and they can be sorted by priority.

If you get stuck, I recently heard/saw a useful Acronym that I’ve further adapted:

ABCDE

A: ACTION ITEM -Alpha task- do this NOW.

B: BE READY – Beta task – do this NEXT.

C: CONSIDER – What’s next? – what’s the following MOST IMPORTANT task?

D: DELEGATE – give this to someone else.

E: ELIMINATE – don’t do this at all OR shift it to the next week/category/priority level.

Rinse and Repeat

If you get stuck, return to your list and see if you can BREAK DOWN any items any further.

If not, try LABELING everything with ABCDE and

PRIORITIZING the As, Bs, and Cs.

Finally, CONTACT ME! I CAN HELP!

What’s Next:

PAPERBACK PROMO: COMING SOON (MAY)! PRE-ORDER Signed copies on my WEBSITE!

EDIT SOBER and LIVING WRITE in JUNE 2026 (GROUP)

If you’re looking to start a NEW DRAFT, NEW ROUTINE, or EDIT a current project, LET’S TALK about LIVING WRITE or EDIT SOBER, starting JUNE 2026 (for groups, but asynchronous courses are available)!

INTERESTED? [Contact me or COMMENT the Course Name you need!]

LIVING WRITE and EDIT SOBER are 5-week courses that include a guided journal with practical prompts and exercises to keep you moving forward every day for more than a month.

In just 5 weeks, you’ll have…

a new routine, “Dirty Draft,” or both with LIVING WRITE!

a READABLE draft worthy of beta readers or an editor with EDIT SOBER!

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

ASD Draft 1: NEW GOAL: 50K-word draft by May 1, 2026!

Words so far: 11,905

It’s been going well. Most of the words have been dumped with some revision, but I am now entering a stage where I have to produce more connecting material. Wish me luck!

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Tuesday Evenings: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

Creative Collective: NEXT MEETING (tentatively): MAY (the) 4 (be with you), 2026 @7:30 PM

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey

Remember the adage, “April Showers Bring May Flowers?” Maybe it’s not an adage. I don’t know where it comes from or what it means, necessarily, and while I could look it up (and maybe I should for research purposes), maybe I’ll let the wonder linger a while. Maybe you will look it up.

Here’s how I’m using it this month: I’m adding, habit by habit, to my list of things I accomplish each week.

Not a “to-do” list. More like a “ta-da!” list.

What I hope it will yield is a fresher perspective, some new light, and more good stuff.

Is it that time of year for you too? Are you Spring Cleaning?

By the way, this goes perfectly with my weekly email [sign up at linseyewing.com]. We’re in Chapter 4 of The Artist’s Way, the chapter about (re)discovering your Creative Identity.

I really don’t know what says “Identity” better than Spring Cleaning. I mean, it’s ALL:

“I LIKE THIS,” and “THIS doesn’t work for me anymore.”

What’s Next: EDIT SOBER and LIVING WRITE in JUNE 2026 (GROUP)

Spring Cleaning is also a time of transition, of both waiting and doing, and of persevering without being able to see the end result. Kinda like creating a creative routine. Kinda like editing. Kinda like the middle of any project worth doing.

So, join me?

LIVING WRITE and EDIT SOBER are 5-week courses that include a guided journal with practical prompts and exercises to keep you moving forward every day for more than a month.

In just 5 weeks, you’ll have…

a new routine, “Dirty Draft,” or both with LIVING WRITE!

a READABLE draft worthy of beta readers or an editor with EDIT SOBER!

INTERESTED? Asynchronous courses are available!

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG is LIVE: https://a.co/d/9YJ3ztr

ASD Draft 1: NEW GOAL: 50K-word draft by May 1, 2026!

I made it through my first week of the Rough Draft Challenge (RDC) with over 5k words under my belt! I only missed one day (yesterday), which made me mad to lose the streak, but I am glad and also aware that there are many days left in the month and year.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Tuesday Evenings: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

Creative Collective: NEXT MEETING (tentatively): MAY (the) 4 (be with you), 2026 @7:30 PM

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey

Real Clients. Real Hope.

Every writer’s journey is unique, but the challenges are universal. From the doubt that creeps in on the very first page to the nail-biting wait after hitting “send” on a query letter, we all face moments of uncertainty. In this series, we’re pulling back the curtain on those moments to share the stories of writers just like you. Discover how they overcame their biggest hurdles, embraced the process, and ultimately found success.

These are not just success stories; they are inspiring narratives of passion, hard work, and the power of a plan.

The Client: Anna

Anna was another client who had a lot of ideas, or rather one main idea with a lot of notes in a lot of different places. 

Once we organized her idea, she wrote a full draft over the course of about 2 months. 

She went through LIVING WRITE and completed her first draft in March 2025.

The Challenge

Now she had a “Dirty Draft” and no idea how to organize it.

It had multiple perspectives, no clear arc, and she wasn’t even sure whose story it was anymore. 

The Solution

She needed to go through it again, organize, and rewrite. 

But how? 

The solution was to start over. 

Fortunately, we’re not starting from scratch. 

Anna gave me the idea for another course, in fact, she practically demanded it, to help her through the editing process.

Thus, EDIT SOBER was born

Program Details: EDIT SOBER

EDIT SOBER is a 5-week course for any writer ready to tackle their “Dirty Draft” and turn it into a finished masterpiece. Our approach is simple:

• Overcome editing overwhelm.
• Systematically revise your manuscript.
• Transform your draft into a polished story.

Week 1: RUN: We make a contract to leave it alone, then run spell and grammar checks to give us the cleanest working surface possible. 

Week 2: READ: We read through (at least twice) and identify what’s working and the problem areas. 

Week 3: REDACT: We take out everything that doesn’t belong, leaving us with only what matters. 

Week 4: REORGANIZE: We reorganize our thoughts and notes and prepare to start a new draft. 

Week 5: RETYPE: We start a new draft. 

EDIT SOBER is for any writer who has finally finished that “Dirty Draft” but feels paralyzed by the thought of editing it. If you struggle to look at your work with fresh eyes, feel overwhelmed by the revision process, or want to replace emotional editing with a proven, critical framework, this course will equip you with the process and guided journal you need to transform your draft into a polished manuscript.The program includes a guided journal with practical prompts and exercises to keep you moving forward every day. In just 5 weeks, you’ll have a draft worthy of beta readers or an editor!

The Results

Anna is reorganizing as we speak. 

She attended the Space to Create Working Retreat at the end of October 2025, where she began her second draft. 

Conclusion

Anna’s story is for:

• Someone who is afraid to start or to finish. 
• Someone who has a draft (or pieces of a draft) and no clear plan of action. 
• Someone with a draft they can’t let go.
• Someone with a finished draft but doubts about the editing process. 
• Someone with multiple drafts. 

INTERESTED IN THE SPACE TO CREATE WORKING (or Writing!) RETREAT?
Follow the link for more info
OR contact/email ME
OR email erinulerich@gmail.com

Erin has also enrolled in EDIT SOBER this year, so ask her about the process!

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG is LIVE: https://a.co/d/9YJ3ztr

ASD Draft 1: NEW GOAL: 50K-word draft by May 1, 2026!

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Tuesday Evenings: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey

Real Clients. Real Hope.

Every writer’s journey is unique, but the challenges are universal. From the doubt that creeps in on the very first page to the nail-biting wait after hitting “send” on a query letter, we all face moments of uncertainty. In this series, we’re pulling back the curtain on those moments to share the stories of writers just like you. Discover how they overcame their biggest hurdles, embraced the process, and ultimately found success.

These are not just success stories; they are inspiring narratives of passion, hard work, and the power of a plan.

The Client: Beti

I also met Beti at the Space to Create Writing Retreat. She purchased one of my Editing Critiques, and I was introduced to her wonderful wit and sharp storytelling. She, like me, writes lit fic, and she’s a great person,  so we hit it off right away. 

The Challenge

She didn’t know what she had. She had a loose plan and an idea of where to take it, but it was still unorganized. Here are her words:

“I was feeling hopelessly stuck on a book project (okay, three book projects) and a website and blog that was gasping for air and slowly dying on the shore. I was nervous about exposing my perceived weaknesses and faults as some would-be writer who had no business trying to be a creative.  But I also knew I needed some professional perspective and guidance.”

The Solution

After talking about the goals of the project, we decided it was time to finish it. 

“After asking pointed and insightful questions about me and my work, Linsey was able to offer several options and ideas for me to get out of my own way, ideas fresh and fun and that I’d not thought of before.  Some ideas I could immediately implement; others I needed to ruminate on for a while.  But the value of input from someone who understands where you’re coming from can be the gentle nudge you need when you’re stuck in your own head.”

The solution was guidance through the drafting process into self-editing.

My program, FINISH IT, is designed to help you get from ”STUCK” to “DONE”

FINISH IT is a 3- to 6-month program of customized coaching designed to help you do exactly what its name says: complete your in-progress draft, manuscript, or book. This is not a one-size-fits-all course. We work 1:1 to create a strategy tailored to your specific project, your goals, and your life. The program is built on three core pillars that address every obstacle standing between you and a finished project:

Program Details: FINISH IT Pillars

• Mindset Surgery (1-3 weeks): We’ll tackle the internal blocks that stop you from writing, from procrastination to fear, so you can write freely and confidently.
• Time Liberation Engine (2-4 weeks): We’ll build a personalized system that carves out dedicated time for your project, so writing becomes a consistent, sustainable part of your life.
• Monetization & Distribution Blueprint (4-12 weeks): We don’t stop at “The End.” This pillar provides a clear, actionable roadmap for what comes next, helping you understand how to share and monetize your finished work.

The Results

Beti’s not done, but she’s on track to finish. She wants to publish in 2026. Can you say the same? 

“Linsey helped me prioritize my projects, move forward, and develop ways of exercising my creative muscle when all it wants to do is eat chips and watch Netflix.  There’s more than one way to be a writer, and Linsey helped me find some new avenues with her own brand of humor and thoughtfulness.”

Conclusion

Beti’s story is for:

• Someone who has never written before.
• Someone spinning their wheels with a draft. 
• Someone who has started but doesn’t know how to finish.
• Someone who has an idea but no idea how to start. 
• Someone who is afraid their idea is too big
• Someone who is afraid that they have run out of time.

Want to finish your WIP this year? Watch the webinar where I introduce FINISH IT here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/780785/166470190093043095/share

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG is LIVE: https://a.co/d/9YJ3ztr

ASD Draft 1: Starting this month.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Tuesday Evenings: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey

Real Clients. Real Hope.

Every writer’s journey is unique, but the challenges are universal. From the doubt that creeps in on the very first page to the nail-biting wait after hitting “send” on a query letter, we all face moments of uncertainty. In this series, we’re pulling back the curtain on those moments to share the stories of writers just like you. Discover how they overcame their biggest hurdles, embraced the process, and ultimately found success.

These are not just success stories; they are inspiring narratives of passion, hard work, and the power of a plan.

The Client: Cambria

Cambria was my first coaching client. She approached me at the Space to Create Writing Retreat, asking if I could help her finish her young adult fantasy novel.

She is a stay at home mom of three children, one of whom she homeschools, and she is an active volunteer. She doesn’t have time to write. Yet she does.

The Challenge

Aside from the obvious, her idea was huge and she had overworked the first chapter many many many times with feedback from too many other people. 

The story was compelling, and everyone wanted to hear more, but she didn’t know how to move from stuck where she was to done with a finished project.

The Solution

I quickly realized that we didn’t have a complete draft of the whole idea and so we set about outlining the process and finishing the draft of what would become book one in a trilogy. 

The solution was guidance through the drafting process into self-editing.

My program, FINISH IT, is designed to help you get from ”STUCK” to “DONE”

FINISH IT is a 3- to 6-month program of customized coaching designed to help you do exactly what its name says: complete your in-progress draft, manuscript, or book. .

This is not a one-size-fits-all course. We work with you one-on-one to create a strategy tailored to your specific project and your life. The program is built on three core pillars that address every obstacle standing between you and a finished project:

Program Details: FINISH IT Pillars

• Mindset Surgery (1-3 weeks): We’ll tackle the internal blocks that stop you from writing, from procrastination to fear, so you can write freely and confidently.
• Time Liberation Engine (2-4 weeks): We’ll build a personalized system that carves out dedicated time for your project, so writing becomes a consistent, sustainable part of your life.
• Monetization & Distribution Blueprint (4-12 weeks): We don’t stop at “The End.” This pillar provides a clear, actionable roadmap for what comes next, helping you understand how to share and monetize your finished work.

The Results

Cambria is now querying agents and publishers for her complete draft of book 1 as well as outlining books 2 and 3 and drafting book 2. She has a clear plan and action steps to fulfill the goal.

Conclusion

Cambria’s story is for:

• Someone who is afraid to start. 
• Someone who has started but doesn’t know how to finish. 
• Someone who has a massive draft and no clear plan of action. 
• Someone who is afraid their idea is too big.
• Someone with too many irons in the fire. 
• Someone who thinks they don’t have time to write. 

Want to finish your WIP this year? Watch the webinar where I introduce FINISH IT here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/780785/166470190093043095/share

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG is LIVE: https://a.co/d/9YJ3ztr

ASD Draft 1: Starting this month.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Tuesday Evenings: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey