It’s the middle of the challenge and it’s started to kick in: that creative flywheel effect that happens when we make an effort to do more creative work.
I’m writing to you today because writing this challenge has my brain sparking!
Not only have I been writing my stories, but I’ve been sharing insights from myself and other writers, throughout the challenge. During May 2025 I recorded video updates on what was coming up for me, and posted them here.
I thought you might find some of it inspiring/useful, so I’m sending you this ‘table of contents’ to help you find something to watch/listen to, this weekend, that’s tailored to exactly where you are, in your writing journey.
Browse the contents, pick a topic, pop in your headphones, and listen as you go about your business this weekend.
Hope it inspires!
Day 1 – Confidence & Humility
In Which I Talked About: The weird paradox that, as writers, we must believe that we have something to say, but also somehow be OK with writing the imperfect first draft. I also talk about ‘boring brilliance’ and how to think about routines in a way that won’t make you stabby.
Recommended if You… are having trouble getting started, struggling with confidence, or need permission to be imperfect.
Day 2 – Writing Flash Fiction & Working with Prompts
In Which I Talked About: My secret trick for making flash fiction, uh, flash; the importance of character desire, and choosing the right story structure.
Recommended if You… are stuck, need a quick win, or are new to writing tiny tales.
Day 3 – What to Do When Writing Feels Too Hard
In Which I Talked About: Two paths to help you navigate writing through moment of emotional turmoil, and the righteousness of writing in your pajamas.
Recommended if You… are feeling down, overwhelmed, or simply need a compassionate nudge in the direction you know you want to be going…
Day 5 – Embracing the Freedom of Limitations
In Which I Talked About: If you find yourself resisting writing to prompts, you don’t have to…but here’s why you might want to give them a try. Also: how knitting mistakes helped me rethink perfectionism in writing.
Recommended if You… feel bored, uninspired, or ready to give up because it’s “not going well.”
Day 7 – Finding Inspiration on Difficult Writing Days
In Which I Talked About: Stepping away if you need to–just not for too long. Plus: some ways to get reinvigorated (without having to do anything that feels like work).
Recommended if You… are feeling drained and need a reset and want to get inspired, without getting jealous of other writers’ successes.
Day 8 – Creativity Begets Creativity
In Which I Talked About: How writing even these quick’n’dirty stories during May has sparked creativity for other projects and fired up the engine of inspiration.
Recommended if You… feel like you’ve ‘fallen behind’ and are wondering if your commitment to yourself was worth it. Also encouraging if you’re juggling short stories and longer projects.
Day 10 – Fueled by Rage
In Which I Talked About: Channeling frustration, anger, or heartbreak into creative action—writing stories that imagine better worlds or provide a path forward.
Recommended if You… are overwhelmed by world events or life, and need a way to turn that energy into something constructive.
Day 14 –You Can Do Hard Things
In Which I Talked About: Embracing imperfection, and using limits to reduce overwhelm and reignite your creativity.
Recommended if You… feel like it’s too late to make anything of this month, or that you’ve somehow ‘failed’. If you’re itching to start a new project instead of finishing this one. Perhaps you simply need to tweak your rules for the rest of the challenge…
Wherever you are in your writing journey this month, I hope you’ll keep showing up—for your creativity, your voice, and yourself.
Want to jump into the StoryADay May Challenge? Find all the prompts here.
