Some time ago, I delivered a Substack containing some affirmations for writers, and I feel the need to do this again as I reset for September.
We’ve just returned from a short trip to Dumfries and Galloway in a quiet little corner of Scotland, and I definitely felt the shift of the season in the morning and evening light. If you follow me on Notes, you will have seen the sheep traffic jam that we met. That’s what my head feels like: so many things rolling around slowly and choking my creativity.
I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, trying to complete too many writing projects and side projects.
Let’s count the ways: a new novel idea; a commissioned story; another drafted story for a competition; words for a writerly opportunity; a draft novel to edit.
How to decide what to concentrate on?
September always feels like a kind of threshold. Awaiting. The trees outside my window are shedding their golden onto the park greens.
I’ve gathered the cushions from the garden furniture and stored them inside the summer house.
I’ve cut back some of the greenery, although I was delighted to see that two of my rose bushes have new buds on them!
Maybe I’m feeling it earlier than most because I’m in Scotland. We’ve had to put the heating on the last few days/nights. Also, because Mr.M has now lost his hair and despite wearing some natty hats, he’s feeling the chill.
We arrived on site to discover a rainbow right over the sea onto the camping spot!
Photo by Jackie Morrison: Rainbow over the tidal estuary at Garlieston, Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland.
So, with that lovely promise of good things to come, let’s think about some affirmations and rituals to help with writing during this change of season. I’m pruning back on tasks in a gently, gently fashion, aware that I can trust that something will grow in future.
Come join me as I work with a simple toolkit to carry into autumn to focus on one or two projects at a time, with steadiness, and trust the rest to wait beneath, until their time comes.
Photo by Jackie Morrison: Local park in Fife, east Scotland with its early carpet of leaves.
I have decided for my own sanity and health that it’s a good idea to set the clutter away and choose one or two projects to nurture through this new season.
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FOR THE WRITER STRUGGLING TO BEGIN
AFFIRMATION: One page is enough to begin (maybe even one paragraph!)
TRY THIS: Light a candle to mark the start. Write for 25 minutes, pause, and either keep going or close with gratitude.
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FOR THE WRITER OVERWHELMED WITH TOO MANY PROJECTS
AFFIRMATION: I can only carry two lanterns at once
TRY THIS: Keep only two project notebooks or folders visible. Alternate days and dedicate some time to each. No extras!
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FOR THE WRITER SEEKING SOME SPACE TO CREATE
AFFIRMATION: Silence is part of the writing
TRY THIS: Begin with two minutes of silence. Use a phone app with visuals and earbuds if it helps. Starting your sessions this way can help empty your mind of the list of chores that may be waiting. Come to your work in calmness.
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FOR THE WRITER SEEKING ROUTINE AND CERTAINTY
AFFIRMATION: The season will carry me if I walk steadily with it
TRY THIS: Brew a warm drink (tea; coffee with cinnamon; warm milk; or spicy chai) and use this as your settling time, your pre-writing routine, and dedicate a moment to writing of 15 minutes or more. Make it a regular me-time.
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FOR THE WRITER WHO SIMPLY FEELS STUCK AS ONE SEASON ENDS AND ANOTHER BEGINS
AFFIRMATION: I am shaking the old worries out of me. I am leaving space for the new.
TRY THIS: Put some loud music on and “shake it off”. Dance! Shake your arms and legs. Boogie! Let it all go. Allow the rhythm to carry you. Now sit down and write.
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Photo Jackie Morrison: Sunset over the estuary at Garlieston, Scotland.
CONFESSION
I’ve felt uncertain this last week or so, and it hasn’t been lost on me that this is Mr.M’s halfway point in his chemo journey: a scan will tell us how well it is working. We move forward now into a new season: him with the knowledge that the beginning of the journey is over, and he’s now settled into the rhythm of the cycles of treatment; me knowing what’s required of me and how I might now schedule writing time for myself.
I felt sad to put the garden furniture away, hopeful that there might still be sunny days - and lo and behold, this week the weather in Scotland has delivered just that! But Autumn gives me (and you) permission to prune, to pare down, to trust that pared-back work will grow stronger. Every word written, every page tended, prepares the ground for what will bloom later.
LETTING GO - TRUSTING
So, as I trust the process, the large writing project is resting but growing slowly in the background, but before the clocks change and the light really alters, my aim is to complete these shorter pieces.
I’m lucky enough that I received a writing commission, and that story draft is three-quarters of the way there and must be the focus. When I let that one go, two more projects can sit on my desktop. How about you?
REFLECTION
I hope you too can trust in the seasons, that autumn may carry you forward to discard what is no longer needed, and that you may move forward through autumn one page at a time.
May this approaching autumn be rich in quiet focus and lead us to a small, steady harvest of words.
All the very best with your writing this golden season, love from Jackie in the Little Writing Corner.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Dumfries and Galloway, there’s a wonderful book festival about to take place in Wigtown:
