There are two halves to today’s tiny challenge, both designed to make it easier for you to get to work–and feel good about it–every day.
- Create a log to capture whatever you decided to track, yesterday
- Set up your workspace for the challenge
Create a Log
Depending on what you chose, and how your brain works, your log might look fancy or plain (it might even be a simple notebook page with a heading and a bunch of tally marks).
I created a new bundle of productivity logs and checklists for StoryADay May 2025. Download for free here.

Set Up Your Workspace
Take a moment to set up a digital folder or a notebook (physical or digital), or a three-ring binder, where you can keep all your materials related to StoryADay.
It might not seem important now, but a month from now, when you are in a completely different place as a writer, you are going to thank Past-You for being kind and making it easy for you to find all the moments of brilliance and insight you racked up.
It doesn’t matter if you choose to write in Word, Google Docs, Scrivener, a notes app in your phone, or a specific notebook. Just choose.
Some days it may not be convenient to write in your preferred way. On those days, I recommend going to your ‘master file’ later, and writing yourself a note (e.g. “Wrote today’s story in my phone notes”). (You can find a sample master file in the downloadable bundle.)
Note: Last month I used a notation like that to find drafts from last May to revise for a contest!
What’s important is that you create easy access to writing time and writing records.
This tiny task helps you:
- Remove barriers to getting started
- Build your identity as a writer who shows up
Discussion: What’s your writing space like? Are you using a fancy journal, a Google Doc, a spreadsheet? Leave a comment and let us know!
The Superstars Advantage
The fastest way to get better at writing stories is to write more stories — and reflect on them with other writers. That’s what the StoryADay Superstars group was built for.
You could do it alone, but why make it harder than it needs to be?
Find out more
Superstars Strategy: You wouldn’t train for a marathon without a coach and a team. Superstars gives you the structure and encouragement that make showing up easier — and more joyful.