Back in March, Maria and I packed up for a weekend writing retreat. We selected a nearby Inn, rich with history and peaceful window views. The only sounds were squirrels foraging through the leaves outside and Lorde playing softly in the background.

During this quiet time, I did a reflection in the form of an inventory.

It went something like this.

Sixteen years. Three novels. Two agents. Twenty-one partial requests. Sixteen full requests. Copious feedback. Rewrites. Resubmissions.

No publishing deal.

What’s a writer to do?

You know the answer. Keep. On. Writing.

With that, I made a list of what I like to write—what speaks to me. I kept it simple. What do I want to write more of and what do I want to write less of. In doing this, I learned a lot about myself as a writer and where I want to go next. I know it involves more female-centered stories, and clever narratives that tie generations of women together. Throw in family secrets, some wild magic and the divine feminine. Ghosts are good too. This is far from a plan, but it’s a promising start.

If you’re reading this blog as a writer, you probably already know that the best way to succeed as an author is to read, write, and wait—continuously. Building check-ins into your practice can also help this process in a big way. What that looks like for you might be very different for someone else. While it’s not my go-to, you might like Julia Cameron’s technique of “morning pages” as a form of reflection (I prefer to spend time with the midnight muse). Or perhaps you’d like to try a “more of and less of” activity as I did at the Inn. It can help with focus and setting a path forward.   

Here are a few more ways you can check in with yourself as a writer.

🤔 Review your why: remind yourself why you want to tell a specific story. You know you have stories to tell and only you can tell them.

🔎 Build evidence: when self doubt hits, maintain a folder of finished pieces, published works, positive feedback— “proof you are a writer”.

😍 Trust your instincts: balance new learnings with listening to your unique artistic voice.

❤️ Self-care: you know this one already, but it deserves repeating. Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and movement—especially during intense writing periods.

By performing check-ins with yourself, you can keep a healthy pulse on your writing craft and keep the momentum alive. Fun fact about momentum, it is my 2026 word of the year.

So, after my rendezvous with myself, where do I go from here?

Novel number FOUR, here I come!