Every December, before I make plans or write resolutions, I choose a Word of the Year—a guiding intention that shapes how I move through the months ahead. My word for 2026 is Dream, born out of a year where my previous word, Rest, manifested in the most unexpected ways. Burnout forced me to slow down, reassess, and imagine a life I don’t need to recover from. Now, as I step into a new season, I’m inviting possibility, balance, and creative expansion. And I’d love for you to do the same. In this post, I’ll share my journey with choosing a word—and help you choose yours.

Winter has a way of slowing the world just enough for us to hear our own creativity again. The colder months invite reflection, coziness, and a return to the rituals that make us feel grounded—especially our writing practice. If you’ve been struggling to begin, or simply want a gentle nudge to reconnect with your voice, this list of 25 winter-themed writing prompts will help you step back onto the page with warmth and intention. These prompts are crafted to spark imagination, deepen self-expression, and bring a little magic to your writing sessions all season long. Light a candle, pour something warm, and choose the sentence that speaks to you. Let winter inspire you to write bravely and beautifully.

Writing the first draft of your book is a sacred process of discovery. It will be messy, unpredictable, and at times uncomfortable, but that’s exactly what it’s meant to be. In this post, we break down what you should expect during your first draft—from characters hijacking your plot to the importance of discipline over motivation—so you can write with clarity, confidence, and creative freedom.