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For many writers, creativity comes naturally. But to succeed at any freeform, artistic endeavor, you’ll need to master much more analytical principles: productivity, discipline, and motivation. That’s the real reason many writers love “having written” more than they love to write—because whether your writing is your hobby, a part-time passion you hope to grow into more, or your dream full-time job, commitment to your craft involves quiet concentration amid noisier responsibilities competing for your immediate attention.

Novelist Jessica Strawser sold her first three novels while juggling a full-time job and motherhood to two young children, and she’s learned not to be precious about writing rituals. Especially now that she’s pivoted to a full-time freelance career as an author and editor, she can write almost anytime, anywhere (and has).

But seeing a project through—whether it’s a 500-word essay, a pitch letter for one of the many article ideas you’ve been sitting on, or a 100,000-word novel—requires planning, strategy, commitment, and flexibility. And once you have multiple projects at multiple stages—say, one book out on submission while you’re writing another one—a whole new set of skills comes into play.

This one-hour workshop will help you both rethink and restructure the way you prioritize writing in your life, while being both realistic and ambitious about setting writing goals that you can actually meet. The class’s approach is threefold:

• Mindset + Motivation: Finding more time to write means getting to the root of why you haven’t already found it, then changing the thought patterns and habits that are getting in your own way.
• Momentum + Motion: Creating a consistent plan for forward progress seems more doable once you master some simple pro hacks to avoid getting stuck—and plan ahead to keep inevitable setbacks and distractions from steering you off course.
• Perseverance + Inspiration: Protecting your writing time and energy involves countless small steps that add up to big results. You’ll adapt clever shortcuts to help you pivot as needed, bounce back from rejection, and hold yourself accountable while giving yourself grace.

You’ll learn to:

• Be honest with yourself about what you are and aren’t willing to sacrifice or change in pursuit of your writing goals—and form a plan you’ll actually stick to.
• Make up your mind that there’s no such thing as writer’s block, and actually believe it.
• Give yourself permission to take your writing seriously, even if no one else does (yet).
• Stop forcing routines that don’t work for you and identify the ones that do.
• Set boundaries around your writing time and protect your creative energy.
• Use dictation, intention setting, and other tricks to think through your writing even when you’re too busy to actually write.
• Harness the power of forward momentum to make slow, steady progress in as little as 15 minutes a day.
• End writing sessions strategically so you’re excited to come back to the page.
• Develop a system of weekly quotas that combines discipline and flexibility.
• See how the right piece of inspiration or advice really can change your whole writing life.
• Keep your expectations and goals fluid and adjust as needed.
• Create your own rules to avoid decision (or indecision) fatigue.
• Switch between your creative brain and your business brain without losing focus.
• Set self-imposed deadlines and recognize the importance of celebrating small milestones.
• Create a rejection rewards system to incentivize yourself to keep trying.

Who should take this class

• Writers of all genres, whether you want to traditionally publish, self-publish, or simply get more serious about your craft and see where it leads.
• Writers who have made the same new year’s resolution to finally (fill in the blank: start that book, finish that book, revise that book, pitch those essays, apply for that writing residency, etc.) several years in a row, and have yet to follow through.
• Writers who have a day job and/or family commitments that make finding adequate writing time feel impossible some days.
• Writers who have lots of great ideas and struggle to prioritize any given one without losing interest or getting distracted.
• Writers who have found success with one project or avenue (for instance, landing an agent, a book deal, or a byline), only to feel overwhelmed by the juggling act that comes with being a working writer.

This class is NOT for:

• Writers who do not relate to the above struggles
• Writers who already maintain disciplined routines that work well for them

Will this class help neurodivergent writers, writers with ADHD, or writers with specific health challenges?

Some principles and skills for time management apply to everyone, but this class will not offer specific guidance for neurodivergent writers, writers with ADHD, or writers with specific health challenges. Later this year, Jane will offer a class specifically for ADHD writers; sign up for class updates so you don’t miss the announcement.

How do I attend the live class?

This class uses Zoom webinar technology. You will join through your Internet-connected computer or mobile device. When you register, you will receive information via email on how to join the class. If you don’t receive it within 1 hour of registering, please contact us.

• When: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
• Time: 1:00–2:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Pacific Time
• Fee: $25 through March 8, 2026 / $35 if you register after March 8, 2026

The webinar is broadcasted via the internet with live audio delivered through your computer or mobile device speakers. The visual presentation is displayed directly from the presenter’s computer to your computer screen. The Q&A is managed through a chat-style submission system with questions read and answered by the presenter for the entire class to hear.

Closed captions are provided during the live class. We use Zoom’s automated closed caption service (powered by Otter), which is about 80%+ accurate.

Refund policy

If you attend the live class and/or watch the recording, and it does not meet your expectations, contact us for a full refund, no questions asked.

All students receive the following

• Access to the live class (60 minutes). The instructor will take questions during class using in-class chat/text. The class will end after roughly 60 minutes.
• A recording of the class—audio and video. This is especially helpful if you have a conflict with the class time or something comes up and you can’t make the session. Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for 30 days. You do not have to attend the live event to access the recordings.
• Presentation slides. All participants receive a copy of the slide presentations in PDF form.
• Rough transcript. We offer a lightly edited transcript of each webinar, which we’ll share with you in addition to the audio and video recording.

Event Attendance & Anti-Harassment Policy

We strive to provide an environment where all present—whether attendee or presenter—can feel supported. In order to ensure a welcoming event, here is what we expect from all who participate.

• That the presenter and the presenter’s work be treated with respect by attendees and that all attendees treat each other with respect and a generosity of spirit.
• That attendees will refrain from harassment of any sort including (but not limited to) comments or questions of a racist, homophobic, sexist/sexual, or threatening nature. This includes actions that disrupt or interfere with anyone’s ability to participate. Offenders will be asked to leave the live event and will not be refunded.