We’re in the second half of 2020. Amid the challenge of the pandemic, writing goals set at the beginning of the year may have had to adjust. It’s helpful to take a moment and reflect on where your creative practice is at. New insights can arise, sometimes spontaneously, sometimes through introspecting. What thought patterns are useful? What parts of the creative process are most energizing? What assumptions can be examined?

Finding inspiration and energy for creative projects right now can feel difficult. And at the same time, it’s these creative projects that may bring meaning and delight. “It’s hard to…

Summer is here. While there are familiar elements of summer, it’s different this year. We have the challenges of the coronavirus, and important racial justice work to do. It’s helpful to note that your writing practice can be a place of support, learning, and processing. It can be a place of growth. And it can be a place of creativity and expression.

How we write is changing too. In response to news outlets announcing that they are capitalizing “Black,” Eve L. Ewing shares why she capitalizes “White:” “When we ignore the specificity and significance of Whiteness — the things that…

There is solidarity in writing. Now is a time of pain, anxiety, and anger caused by anti-Black racism and police brutality. We are witnessing a growing movement striving toward racial justice. Across Medium, writers are sharing stories of their experiences, of allyship, and how to move forward toward a better reality for Black Americans.

Ramesh A Nagarajah shares his experiences in “Reflections from a Token Black Friend:” “I was no older than 12 or 13, and I already understood that the police would not be inclined to help me. …

Over the past weeks you may have found new routines, and new habits that have been helpful. Henry Andrews offers essential advice to keep in mind during this time of adjustment: “It’s not being lazy to give yourself that rest. It’s an investment in being able to do more tomorrow.” If you can’t do all of the things you strive for in your routine, if you don’t have the energy, that’s an important signal to include. Rest is necessary.

Ashley Abramson shares methods to help take a big picture look at our values and priorities. Imagine yourself in the future…

How do you still find motivation to write and work on your craft, when it seems like everything loses meaning during the current world crisis? This question came up when we asked Medium writers to submit questions in advance of our writing panel. It resonates. It can feel like a momentous time to create. To pick up projects on the back burner. There’s an urge to be productive, but also the lack of energy and motivation. It’s important to acknowledge that this challenge we’re in weighs heavy. We’re in an incredibly difficult time, and we’re all adjusting our lives. Rainesford…

It’s too easy to work through a break. To take lunch at the desk. To fill quiet moments with a follow-up text or the news or an industry podcast. When we’re productive, every moment counts. When we’re cultivating a creative habit, our focus is on the output. Last month’s Writers Newsletter shared advice on cultivating a writing habit. There is a crucial activity to include amid any creative habit.

“Oftentimes the answer to removing blockages in your writing is resting,” writes Morgan Jerkins, senior editor at ZORA. “Your mind is gonna connect the dots sooner or later, but if you…

Last month we focused on setting some writing goals for the year ahead. Imagining what’s possible in itself is motivating. Now we’re a few weeks in. This time of the year can be challenging. That glow of the new year has faded. We’ve got to find a consistent source of energy to achieve our goals.

In fulfilling our writing goals, it may be helpful to take on new approaches and methods of working. At first, these habits are novel, and that in itself is exciting. Then the friction arrives. These habits aren’t ingrained yet. The friction is natural. Notice it…

New year, new decade! Now’s a good time to pause, check in, and set an intention. Let’s settle in that space of creative reflection and resolution setting. Looking into this next year, what are your goals around writing for 2020? For some it’s developing a publishing cadence, be it once a week or once a month. For others it’s to start writing again, after taking a break for a few years. Maybe there are certain topics you’ve been interested in investigating, certain pieces that you want to begin researching. Perhaps you’ve already made progress over the past year and want…