Writing Consistently: Facts and Myths

Writing Consistently: Facts and Myths – How To Write the Future podcast, episode 184 *** “Learning how to write fiction– most people never learn in school, so we’re learning as…
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2025/12/22/writing-consistently-facts-and-myths

#HOWTOWRITETHEFUTUREPODCAST #actionableadvice #BethBarany #buildinghabits #consistentpractice

How to Return After Creative Burnout with Ease

We hear it all the time: “Reinvent yourself.” As if the only way to move forward is to become someone else entirely. But I want to offer a softer truth—one that feels more real to me: you don’t need a reinvention. You just need a return.

A return to your rhythm.
A return to your voice.
A return to what felt like you before life got too loud.

Let me tell you how I figured that out.

TikTok used to be a fun space for me. I’d talk about books, about my podcast, about my upcoming novel The Ordinary Bruja. But then life got hectic—and when I say hectic, I mean chaotic-spiraling-energy-suck hectic. Between parenting, pets, responsibilities, and trying to stay emotionally afloat, I just didn’t have it in me. I didn’t want to be on camera. I didn’t have the creative energy to even think of what to say. And if I’m being honest, I felt disconnected from myself.

So I stepped away.

I didn’t announce a break. I didn’t delete the app. I just… didn’t post.

And when things calmed down—when I had more space in my schedule and could finally breathe again—I didn’t come back with a dramatic announcement or apology. Not because I think there’s anything wrong with doing that (honestly, shoutout to everyone who’s honest about needing space), but because I didn’t have the energy to perform a comeback. I just had the energy to begin again.

So I did.

One day, I opened the app and made a video about a book I was reading. That was it. No elaborate explanation. Just, “Hey, let me tell you about this.” And then I kept talking. I talked about The Ordinary Bruja. I talked about the themes, the characters, the process. I showed up—not for reinvention, but for reconnection.

And people noticed. Some of my mutuals left sweet comments like “It’s so nice to see you again.” And you know what I said?

“It’s nice to be back.”

Not I’m new or I’m different—but back. Because I wasn’t becoming someone else. I was coming home to myself.

That shift in mindset changed everything. I stopped overthinking how to return. I stopped worrying about whether I should rebrand or “start fresh.” I didn’t need a grand plan. I just needed to put my energy into doing rather than doubting.

And as I kept posting, I started learning. I realized I didn’t want to juggle three different TikTok profiles for my writing, podcasting, and pet rescue content. That might work for some people—but not for me. My time is limited, and I don’t want to waste energy maintaining multiple versions of myself. I want one account that feels like me. The full me—messy, multifaceted, and always evolving.

Now, I focus on showing up with intention.
I post when I can.
I schedule when I know I’ll be busy.
I talk about my rescued dogs, my love for books, what I’m writing, what I’m reading, and all the beautiful chaos in between.

And I sprinkle in updates about The Ordinary Bruja because this book matters to me. It’s a love letter to identity, to self-forgiveness, to magic. And I want people to discover it, not because I forced it into an algorithm, but because I shared it from the heart.

The Ordinary Bruja: Book One of Las Cerradoras Series – Johanny Ortega

When grief pulls Marisol Espinal back to Willowshade, she uncovers a legacy buried in shadows, silence, and ancestral magic. The Ordinary Bruja is a haunting coming-of-age story that blends psychological horror with Dominican folklore and magical realism. For fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Isabel Cañas.

If you love what you read, I’d be honored to hear your thoughts. Please leave a review on your preferred platform and let other readers find the magic in The Ordinary Bruja.

If you’re reading this and feeling like you need to “start over” or “reinvent” yourself to be creative again, I want you to know: You don’t.

You don’t have to perform your return. You don’t have to show up with all the answers. You don’t have to be a brand-new person with a brand-new plan. You can simply return.

Return to what lit you up.
Return to what made you smile.
Return to your own voice, your own rhythm, your own truth.

Even if your return is quiet, it’s still powerful.

Discipline vs. Motivation for Success: The Key to Achieving Your Goals

Motivation is often seen as the spark that lights the fire of action. But what if I told you that waiting for motivation could keep you stuck? There’s a truth many of us don’t realize: motivation doesn’t come first—movement does. When you start moving, motivation often follows. This is where discipline comes in, because discipline is what gets you moving when motivation is nowhere to be found.

I’m reminded of this every time I head to the gym, especially on those days when it’s been a while, or when the weather outside is colder than I’d like. In those moments, the last thing I feel is motivated. But I’ve learned to tell myself, “Just get up. You’ll feel better once you start.” And without fail, once I’m in motion—lacing up my sneakers or driving to the gym—that initial resistance fades, and the motivation to keep going kicks in.

The principle applies to almost everything in life: writing a book, starting a project, or even tackling mundane chores. If you wait for motivation to magically appear, you’ll be waiting forever. Discipline, on the other hand, requires you to take the first step, trusting that motivation will catch up.

Discipline Gets You Moving

Discipline is a commitment to yourself now and your future self. It’s the promise that you’ll show up, no matter how you feel in the moment. It’s what gets you out of bed on cold mornings, to the keyboard when the words don’t flow, and to the gym when the couch feels more inviting. Discipline says, “Start now,” even when everything else says, “Not today.”

Motivation Follows Action

Once you’re in motion, something magical happens: motivation begins to build. Psychologists call this the “action-motivation cycle.” When you take action, your brain rewards you with a sense of accomplishment, which fuels more motivation. It’s a positive feedback loop, but the key is to initiate the cycle with action—not wait for motivation to start it.

How to Harness Discipline and Motivation

If you’re ready to stop waiting for motivation and start moving, here are a few tips:

The next time you find yourself waiting for motivation, remember this: action breeds motivation, not the other way around. Trust your discipline to carry you forward, and motivation will meet you along the way.

#achievingGoals #actionBreedsMotivation #buildingHabits #motivationAndDiscipline #OvercomingProcrastination #personalGrowthTips #productivityHacks #startSmall #successStrategies

The Akrasia Effect: Why We Don’t Follow Through on What We Set Out to Do and What to Do About It | James Clear

https://journal.dinobansigan.com/the-akrasia-effect-why-we-dont-follow-through-on-what-we-set-out-to-do-and

January workshop was Journaling Jumpstart. Continuing with alliterated titles and building a writing practice, February's workshop will be Self-Care Sundays. Join me for 4 weekly session of creative writing prompts, dedicated writing time, and supportive feedback.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/self-care-sundays-weekly-writing-workshop-tickets-491707910597

#writingworkshop #creativewriting #writingcommunity #writinglife #buildinghabits #writingroutine #selfcare

Another beginning of the year, building a habit article. Hope it helps.
#WritingCommunity #writing #buildinghabits #writers #morningpages #writingtips

https://vocal.media/lifehack/building-a-writing-habit