How to Get Your Writing Back on Track

Every year, summer seems to fly by in a blur of vacations, family barbecues, late nights, and long weekends. For writers, those months can be both inspiring and frustrating. You may have had big dreams of finishing a draft while lounging by the pool, only to realize the season slipped away and your manuscript is still stuck on page 47.

If that’s you, take heart: you’re not alone. In fact, fall is one of the best times to reset, refocus, and reclaim your writing life. Kids are back in school. Your calendar is settling down. The rhythm of routine is returning.

So, if you’re wondering how to get your writing back on track, here are five simple, doable steps to help you make real progress.

Reconnect with Your “Why"

When you’ve lost momentum, the best way to restart is by remembering why you started in the first place. It’s easy to get caught up in word counts, deadlines, and the pressure to publish, but at the heart of your writing is something much deeper.

Maybe you began writing because you’ve always loved stories and wanted to tell your own. Maybe it’s a way for you to process life, leave a legacy for your family, or explore questions about faith, identity, or the world around you.

Take a few quiet minutes to journal about this. Write out the reasons your project matters—not just to you, but to the people who will eventually read it. Tape this note to your desk or make it the screensaver on your laptop. When you inevitably hit a wall, your “why” can be the fuel that carries you through.

Restart Your Writing with Manageable Goals

One of the most common traps writers fall into is setting goals that are too big. We say things like, “I’ll finish my novel this month” or “I’ll write 2,000 words a day,” but when life inevitably interrupts, we feel like failures.

Instead, give yourself permission to start small. Commit to writing 300 words a day (roughly a page) or aim to complete one scene or one short essay a week. Even 15 minutes of writing adds up. At the end of the month, those short bursts will become pages you wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Think of it like training for a marathon. You don’t run 26 miles on day one. You start with short runs and build endurance. Writing works the same way. Manageable goals keep you consistent, and consistency leads to finished work.

Get Back into a Writing Routine That Works

If summer (or honestly, whatever crazy season you might be in) has scattered your schedule, now is the time to reclaim it. Writing doesn’t happen in the cracks of your day—it happens when you intentionally carve out space.

Take a good look at your week. Where are the quiet pockets? Maybe it’s early morning before anyone else is awake. Maybe it’s your lunch break, or right after the kids go to bed. Block that time on your calendar the same way you’d block a meeting or appointment.

Here’s the secret: it doesn’t have to be hours at a time. Thirty minutes of focused writing, three or four times a week, is far more effective than sitting down for a massive Saturday writing session that never actually happens. Show up regularly, and soon your brain will recognize those times as “writing time,” making it easier to get into the flow.

Get Back on Track with Accountability

When it’s just you and your manuscript, it’s all too easy to procrastinate. But when you know someone is expecting to hear about your progress, you’re far more likely to follow through. Accountability is one of the most powerful ways to get your writing back on track.

This doesn’t have to mean a formal writing group (though those are wonderful). You might find one friend who also writes and exchange weekly updates. You could hire a coach or editor who keeps you on a schedule. Even telling a trusted friend or spouse, “I’m going to write three times this week,” can give you the nudge you need to keep your word.

Writing is often seen as a solitary pursuit, but the truth is, writers thrive in community. Accountability turns your writing from a lonely struggle into a shared journey—and that support can make all the difference.

Clean Things Up and Get a Fresh Start

Sometimes the best way to move forward is to hit reset. If your desk is cluttered with papers and coffee mugs, clean it off and create a fresh workspace. If your draft feels overwhelming, spend time reorganizing your outline or starting a new notebook. Even something as small as buying a new pen or lighting a candle can signal to your brain that it’s time for a new season.

Fresh starts allow you to leave behind what didn’t work this summer and step into a renewed sense of possibility. Think of it as telling yourself, “The story isn’t over; it’s just beginning again.”

Get Your Writing Back on Track with the Virtual Writing Retreat

If you’re serious about learning how to get your writing back on track, the Virtual Writing Retreat is the perfect place to start.

This self-guided program gives you the benefits of a writing retreat without even leaving home. You’ll receive a complete retreat schedule, inspiring prompts, and guided exercises that help you reflect on your writing goals, generate new material, and create a plan to keep going.

(Bonus: there are some fun printable goodies included too.)

You don’t need a cabin in the woods. You don’t need to take time off from work. All you need is a few hours just for you and reconnecting with your writing.

It’s like pressing the reset button on your writing life. By the time you finish, you’ll have not only fresh pages but also the clarity, structure, and confidence to sustain your momentum.

If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and finally move forward, this retreat is your invitation.