Finding my Writing Stamina: 3 Steps

By Celaine Charles, 3-31-25

I’ve learned something about myself…I cannot lull too long from my writing endeavors. Although creative rest and renewal are important to schedule for, or more often, allow in the front door as needed interruptions, I fall behind when I pause for too long. For me, I must keep putting my best foot forward no matter what. And I can do that in a few small ways.

Here are three small steps and why they work!

1) Make a list every day! I am a list-maker, being the ADHD writer that I am. Making a list of things I want (or need) to accomplish is imperative to my survival. But sometimes I forget to read my list (or ignore my list because of…well, life). That’s exactly what I’ve learned I cannot do.

Make a list, and check it twice, and even when I can’t accomplish everything on the list, I try to check off at least one item. ONE! An example for me are my 25-minute writing sprints. I can do 25 minutes a day (most days). Other days, it may simply be reading a chapter in a current book or creating a bookish reel.

Why does list-making work? For me, my mind races like a windstorm. If I rely on remembering every little leaf tossed into the gales, I might focus on something unnecessary. I usually don’t realize it may have been unnecessary until I go to bed and remember what I should have done instead. Give it a try!

2) Create a Writing Space! I knew this step and followed it for years (successfully). When you find a space to write in, be it the corner of your sofa, a foldaway table in the corner of your bedroom, or your child moves away to college and you turn her room into your brand new writing office (okay those were all mine), then start writing there! Of course I still wrote in other places, but the more I wrote in my writing space, I noticed my body went into autopilot and created.

I actually learned this trick at a writing conference in 2017. The practice literally changed my life, and I went from dreaming about drafting a book to publishing that same book a few years later (Seam Keepers, https://www.amazon.com/dp/1509235442, a YA Fantasy, and now the sequel, Dream Keepers, is finally launching soon).

Here’s the thing! I had house guests for a while and moved out of my office and my writing stamina blew right back into the gale of disorganization. Getting back into my office has made a huge difference!

Why does creating an office space work? I’m telling you, I just deflated the blow-up bed and reorganized my writing office (again) and guess what? When I sit at my desk and open my computer, my fingers start clicking away on the keyboard. It’s like magic!

I’m back, and alongside my computer is my LIST! I’m tired, currently hungry at the moment, but one of my listed items says “Blog Post” and so here I am typing away. And it feels good! It’s one thing I will be able to check off my list.

3) Trade doubt for consistency! I may struggle with my lists or have house guests again and temporarily lose my office, but if I can put myself back on the path each time I’m blown off, the more efficiently I can continue working toward my goals of bringing YOU more fantasy novels and poetry collections to read!

HOW?

The first thing on my list everyday is to trade doubt for consistency. I have to remind myself to stop doubting my small steps. If nobody reads this blog post or joins my newsletter (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/93468/59834689879278649/share), I’m still here doing my author thing because it brings me joy to create stories. I must keep putting one foot in front of the other and taking those small steps…for me.

Why choosing consistency over doubt works? This is my one chance at life, here on earth in this body and soul, and I want to live it with at least a handful of certainty that whatever I choose to do matters. Whatever I’m drawn to create is for me, not against me. And creating takes time. Never doubt your steps…consistency my friends! Like the little engine that could, or Dori from Finding Nemo, just keep going!

These three steps have worked for me in the past, and it’s time to set them in place again. I’m back on the path and creating lots of writing for you my treasured readers! let me know if these work for you, and share any that have helped you in the past!

Celaine Charles, March 31, 2025

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