This year has been a whirlwind year for me as a writer—a year of taking on new risks and challenges, and assess what I’ve accomplished. As the year winds down, it seems right to pause and ask a simple question: what did writing actually teach me in 2025? I’m offering these lessons as prompts to my fellow writers. Perhaps they will be of value to you.
Discipline Matters More Than Inspiration
There’s no doubt that inspiration can be a tremendous motivator. When we’re inspired, we can draw on reserves of energy and precision that would otherwise seem impossible. But consistent practice, even in short daily or weekly sessions, does more for the quality and volume of writing than occasional bursts of energy. There were a few time this year—both for creating drafts and in editing—when I felt I was just showing up. I would find myself tired, distracted and really disengaged. And yet, the results of that work were surprisingly decent. Clearly, discipline created more progress and worthwhile results than waiting for the next burst of inspiration.
This does not mean inspiration doesn’t matter. Inspiration often hits me in the middle of the project when I’m chomping at the bit to continue with the story. But I would much rather rely on and practice discipline than waiting for inspiration. It’s when inspiration dips and discipline kicks in that separates wannabes from writers.
Community Matters
As writers, we need each other. Writing is often a solitary vocation. Yet receiving feedback, encouragement, and simple companionship can make a real difference in terms of persistence and confidence. I’ve written before about the value of spending time with other authors and the way it has helped me strengthen my writing. At the same time, my interactions with other writers have helped me get through writing blocks, or to make critical decisions. In March of 2025, I was one of the featured writers at the Suffolk Author’s Festival. The person with whom I shared a table said to “just write” my first western novel rather than continue my endless research. That encouragement made a real difference in 2025.
Trying Something Different
After several bouts of research, I finally took on writing the first in my envisioned western trilogy about a former Buffalo soldier. Book one, entitled Silver Rock, was completed as part of Novel November, ProWriting Aid’s version of National Novel Writing Month. As a writer who normally produced novels and short stories in the mystery and science fiction genres, this was a significant departure for me. But while some of the scenarios and background of the old American West will need additional work from me, I enjoyed creating the story. Further, that stretch has given me more confidence and the drive to produce work in other genres.
Another new venture was writing a fantasy short story for the upcoming anthology Star Crossed, a collection around the theme of an alien/ human dating service. This was challenging because of the need to ground it in contemporary times and with at least one human character. I was thrilled when my story, “Footholds” was accepted for this anthology, and I look forward to similar projects in the future.
Learning Spaces Are Everywhere
I’ve come to the conclusion that learning about writing need not be restricted to classrooms or designated learning spaces. In fact, we can learn anywhere if we’re open to it. And sometimes, we learn or are reminded of something when we least expect it. I often write at a coffee shop in the county because of it’s artsy atmosphere. One day I was writing a story, then editing something else when two college students came in. I’ve always been a people watcher, so I heard a few of their comments about history, then looked at the woman’s nails. They were a brilliant shade of iridescent red. When I realized that, I was reminded that I need to use description using all five senses more in my work. This was a critical reminder for me.
That college student wasn’t teaching me directly. In fact, she took no notice of me at all. Yet I learned something from her that I’ve kept applying to my current projects. This is because I was open to learning it. I encourage other writers to seek opportunities to learn, wherever that may be. That’s helped me tremendously in 2025.
An Invitation to Fellow Writers
These lessons from 2025 aren’t exhaustive, and they are uniquely mine. Still, they’ve given me a stronger platform on which to start writing in 2026. But consider this: how will discipline, community, openness, reflection, and intentional learning shape the way you write next? Which habits from this year are worth keeping, and which stories about your writing life need to be revised?
The new year is an opportunity to put what I’ve learned and tried in 2025 to work for me. What does the upcoming year represent for you?
