New seasons arrive dressed for change, and September’s entrance into fall brings a shift from the hot, lazy days of summer to the colorful sights and sounds of today. We enjoy cooler temps, autumn leaves, the sound of marching bands, schoolyards erupting in children’s laughter, and crisp apples that burst with sweetness. I’ve always thought September felt more like a fresh start than January. 

Writers seek new seasons to embrace their writing dreams and goals. Seasons are psychological, and that’s why September fills me with energy and excitement for writing, as though a veil’s been lifted, and I’m ready to approach my writing like a child heading back to school —wearing a new outfit and thrilled at seeing friends.

Several years ago, I wrestled with wanting to switch from writing historical romance to contemporary romantic suspense, but fear held me back. What would my agent and publisher say? Would I need to find both an agent and a new publisher? How would my readers react to a change? What if I failed? Then I realized my longing to write suspense was stronger than my fears. If the new genre resulted in poor sales, then I’d evaluate my writing process. I took a deep breath, wrote a romantic suspense novel, and never stopped.

Your season of change doesn’t have to match mine, which brings me to my first point.

What is a sign that it’s time for a change?

• Boredom with a current writing project. The passion is gone, and we can’t seem to find it.
• Curiosity about a different genre, methods of treatment, voice, tone, and theme.
• Stuck in our old writing habits. Do we need to experiment with how we conduct characterization, plotting, setting, emotion, dialogue, symbolism, and research?
• A longing to stretch ourselves in a unique project, but we don’t know what.
• Put off writing, even projects on a deadline. We no longer enjoy our chosen craft.

What does embracing a new season look like?

• Kick old habits and stalled projects to the curb. These are holding you back from writing your best.
• Try something new. What is the one project that nudges your mind and heart, but you keep pushing it away? 
• Revisit old goals. Analyze how they have changed or been achieved.
• Develop new writing habits and rituals to fit your personality. Perhaps try outlining or the adventure of a discovery writer.
• Switch from writing in the evening to the morning or reverse it, dictate your work, create a playlist, write in longhand, or reinvent your office.
• Study the following for what appeals to you and your new season: read the blogs that make us better writers and marketers, join a writing group and give back, invest in online classes, conferences, how-to books, read more, and write consistently. 

How do we kickstart our new season?

• Set 1-3 achievable writing goals for the fall.
• Journal your thoughts and feelings about the challenge of walking into a new season. Be honest about your desire to rekindle your passion for writing.
• Write an article, blog, or poem about your frustration, even if no one reads it but you.
• Experiment with various techniques, genres, voices, themes, point of view, and all those literary topics that dance in your head, but you haven’t tried the steps.
• Take nature walks and experience your imagination.
• Linger along the path of discovery. There, in the beauty of the moment, may be what you lost.

Just like we can’t rush nature, we can’t rush our exploration into a new season of writing. Embrace the process and cherish every step of the way. 

Friends, writing is your old friend, and it’s been waiting for you to accept an invitation to restore the joy of creativity. This is your season, new beginnings for fresh writing. What is one habit you’re ready to release for fall?