Writer’s block is not a thing.
Really.
For the first fifteen years of my writing life, I believed I had to wait to be inspired first and then I would sit down and write. Most days, that meant I stared at a blank screen for an hour and then tackled an “urgent” project, like organizing my mixtapes by mood or friendship. (Yes, I’m dating myself. Don’t care. I miss mixtapes.) Then, I would launch into my standard self-talk:
“You have no discipline.”
“You’ll never finish a project.”
“You’re not a real writer.”
Which quickly evolved into the worst self-criticism all writers engage in at some point in their lives… or every day of their lives:
“Who are you to think you can write this? No one wants to hear what you have to say.”
The result of all of my procrastination: years of anguish and countless missed opportunities (e.g., a meeting with the writing team for my favorite TV show; a major playwriting commission; the chance to meet Sam Shepard, one of my idols at the time–all lost to inertia.)
When I took stock of the times writing flowed for me, when I wrote my best stuff, I realized it was when I had a regular writing practice.
Over the years, I fine-tuned my practice… and never experienced writer’s block again. The result? I’ve ghostwritten more than 50 books and wrote for or edited more than 500 authors.
It’s my version of Writing Sprints and it’s a simple equation.
Regular writing practice + word count goal setting + writing in community = magic.
You know that feeling, when you write something and everything clicks? When you know you’re onto something great? And that other feeling? The one you get when an idea or a fix falls right into your brain out of nowhere–and it’s perfect? Or the BEST feeling, the one you get when you finally finish something?
That’s the magic I’m talking about.
Today, I share my writing practice with students and clients. For my Top Three Book Workshop students, the Writing Sprints are game-changing. Even my “Skeptical Sally” students are converts within the first three weeks.
In the past year alone, my students have written just over 1.3 million words during Writing Sprints. Some have finished their books in less than four months. Others continue to work on their ideas, their stories, their craft in the safe and supportive space that we provide.
So, what are Writing Sprints?
We meet on a private channel on Zoom weekdays, Monday through Friday, for 60 minutes. We write for 20 minutes, break for Q&A and support, write for 20 minutes, then wrap up any lingering questions.
During Q&A, you’ll have a chance to get answers about developing, writing, editing, publishing, and marketing a must-read book.
Here’s a testimonial from one of my wonderful Top Three Book Workshop students:
The writing sprints in the Top Three Book Workshop gave me the structure to write my book. Writing can be a lonely profession, but it doesn’t have to be. I love that I get to meet up with my writing friends, and we can celebrate each other’s wins as we each add one more word to our books. Writing sprints gave me a community where I knew I would be encouraged to give my best to my book. The thing I love about writing sprints is we gather together and write for a 20-minute block of time and then take a break. Then we write for another 20-minute block of time. Writing sprints gave me the structure to break my elephant of a book into small bite-sized pieces.
~Damon Yudichak, author of Profit First for Real Estate Agents (2021)
Some of the most prolific and admired writers attribute their success to prioritized writing time. It works for me. It works for them. And it can work for you.
The accountability that comes with joining a writing community can help with even the most stubborn case of imposter syndrome. Through clear group guidelines, and by example, I create a safe and encouraging space for writers of every ability and experience level, no matter their background.
Writing sprints are so effective—from the psychological aspect of prioritizing the craft of writing to the accountability factor of showing up on a schedule—that I’ve been asked to create a group just for writing sprints!
I’m proud to offer the Top Three Author’s Club.
I’d love for you to join our growing community of authors:
This membership includes:
- Weekday Writing Sprints: 60-minute guided sprint sessions, with breaks for Q&As.
- Advance notification of my Sprint Marathons, a full-day session of sprinting with published authors and students of my workshops, held only three times a year.
- Weekly email check-ins to help you stay motivated.
- Weekly writing prompts for inspiration.
We meet Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. EST through 10:00 a.m. and at 4:00 p.m. EST through 5:00 p.m. EST to accommodate folks on PST. Come to every session or come when you can. We’ll be here!
I participated in the Writing Sprint Marathon that is part of Top 3 Book Workshop; that changed everything for me.
It’s a completely transformative process. You’ll learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible.
Joined together with a small group of open-minded and thoughtful authors, you get to write in a judgement-free, safe-space environment that fosters trust, comradery, and support.
~Mike Ciavolino, author
Stay in the group as long as you’d like. This is a MONTHLY $97 subscription. You may need only a few months to achieve your writing goals. Perhaps you need a year – you decide how long you’ll need. And when you do, we’ll be here to support and cheer you on!
When you register, you have the option to…
Monthly
$97
Financial troubles should never be a barrier. Here is a “pay what you can” option.