In the special, unscripted, just for the podcast episode, I describe writing your book in seasons.

Some seasons of life are hectic and busy without a lot of extra time, bandwidth, or energy.

Others may be more laid-back, relaxed, and move at a slower pace.

Why should our writing rhythms look the same, regardless of what else is going on in our lives?

An interview I heard recently with author John Grisham really challenged my thinking on this

Grisham was talking about when he typically writes and said “that’s a good time to write.”

I wondered why he thought this.

And I wonder what it might look like if we gave ourselves permission to write in seasons The way Grisham does.

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I expected John Grisham's writing routine to feel out of reach. He's John Grisham. He's written 40+ novels. I haven't finished one. But when I heard him describe how he actually works, something hit me, because the underlying principles are more accessible than I expected. Get the Early Writer's Blueprint (free) This is the system I use to write my novel in the margins of a full life:👉 https://early.tcburr.comThis video breaks down what Grisham does, why it works, and — more importantly — how to apply the same principles even if you have a full-time job, three kids, and 45 minutes on a good day.📥 Get the Early Writer's Blueprint (free) This is the system I use to write my novel in the margins of a full life:👉 https://early.tcburr.com📖 Get the free STORY Framework. The 5 questions that become the backbone of your novel:👉 https://framework.tcburr.com▶️ Watch the John Grisham interview I reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2XKhWRnR9A&list=WL&index=4⏱ CHAPTERS0:00 You've told yourself it's for someone with a different life0:37 What I expected from Grisham's routine1:10 Principle 1: Set an intention with a start date and deadline2:02 Principle 2: Write 5 days a week (not 7)2:53 Principle 3: Same place, same ritual, no variables3:49 Principle 4: Word count matters less than consistency4:12 Principle 5: Know your ending before you write your beginning4:36 The STORY Framework, how I apply this principle5:32 The Early Writer's Blueprint (my full system)#WritingTips #WriteYourBook #AlreadyAWriter #NovelsForBeginners #WritingRoutine #JohnGrisham #BusyWriter #FirstNovel #WritingMotivation #BookWriting

80% of people say they want to write a book. Less than 1% ever actually do.For most of my adult life, I was in the 80%. I had the idea. I had the dream.

I just kept putting it on the shelf...telling myself I was too busy, not in the right season, waiting for "someday."The problem wasn't discipline. It wasn't talent. It was that I was waiting for permission that was never going to come, and a system that actually worked in my real life.I'm 43 years old. I have a full-time corporate job, three kids, and a very full life. And I'm writing my book. Not because my life got easier. Because I stopped waiting for it to.If you've been carrying a book idea for years and can't figure out why you haven't started, this video is for you.—⬇️ FREE: Download the STORY Framework PDF → The 5-question foundation that helps you build your novel without overwhelm.https://framework.tcburr.com—CHAPTERS0:00 The statistic that stopped me cold0:08 I didn't start writing until I was 410:15 80% want to write a book...less than 1% do0:29 Why it's not about discipline or talent0:38 The real reason dreams stay on the shelf1:18 The fear nobody says out loud1:40 Who I am — and why I'm talking about this1:56 The one decision that changes everything2:12 What this channel is actually about2:20 Barrier 1: Waiting for permission2:48 Let me give you that permission right now3:05 You're not too late3:22 Barrier 2: Waiting for the right season3:46 The truth about finding time4:03 Writing in the margins of a full life4:28 Barrier 3: Not knowing where to begin5:01 Why busy people don't have a discipline problem5:08 The STORY Framework — 5 questions, not 25 plot points5:27 Where to get the free resource5:48 What the STORY Framework solved for me6:14 You need a system, not more willpower6:22 If you've been carrying this dream for years6:36 Dreams only have three destinations7:03 You are already a writer—Related videoshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08fMBfREsNA&t=1shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg4uskKs6qQ&t=387s#writingadvice #howtowriteabook #firstnovel #alreadyawriter #aspiring writer#writingmotivation #novelwriting #busywriters #writingcommunity #bookcreation

I stood at the printer at my local Office Max watching the pages of my first draft come off one by one. 70,000 words. The warmth of the pages in my hands. I told myself I actually did it.Then I started reading it.The writing was good. But there was no real story. No arc, no destination, no sense of where any of it was going. I had 70,000 words and nothing to hang them on.If you've ever felt like you're writing a lot but building nothing, this video is for you. I walk through the four phases of my writing journey, what went wrong at each one, and the foundational shift that finally changed everything. I'm still writing this novel. This is what I know so far.Chapters:0:00 The Office Max moment0:54 Phase 0: The Dreamer1:45 Phase 1: The Pantser (writing without a plan)3:14 Phase 2: The Overwhelmed Plotter6:33 What every great story has in common7:08 The character transformation (what drives your novel forward)8:08 Phase 3: The Intentional Writer8:23 The way out of stuck (writing with a foundation)Resources Mentioned:The STORY Framework (free PDF) the five-question foundation I wish I had before I wrote a single word: https://framework.tcburr.comThe Early Writer's Blueprint (the system I use to write consistently in a full, busy life) https://early.tcburr.comSave the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody (a great framework once you have your foundation in place)https://amzn.to/3QvvzoeStory Genius by Lisa Cron (where the "third rail" concept comes from. One of the best books on story structure I've read and love)https://amzn.to/4tjrZMuScrivener (the writing tool I use every day. If you're serious about writing your novel, this is worth every penny)https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview?fpr=thomas70Atomic Habits by James Clear (the book that helped me finally start. If you're still in the dreamer phase, read this first.)https://amzn.to/4tWI3UpWhich phase are you in right now?Drop it in the comments. Phase 0, 1, 2, or 3. I read every one.If this video resonated, watch these next:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRNTvmmmqgU&t=2shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sOUnDufz4g&t=16shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD7QTFQ6GvQ&t=6sSome of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.#novelwriting #howtowriteanovel #writingadvice #scrivener #firstnovel #writingtips #busywriter #storyframework #plotyournovel #writeyourbook

If you’re successful in your career but can’t seem to finish your book, this video is for you.

You don’t have a discipline problem.

You don’t have a talent problem.

You likely have a structure problem.

In this video, I break down why high-achieving professionals struggle to finish their first draft, and what actually works instead.

We’ll talk about:

- Why writing rewards reps, not strategy

- The high achiever trap that leads to inaction

- How to build writing momentum in 20–30 minute sessions

- Why consistency matters more than intensity

- How identity shapes output

- A simple 30-day plan to move toward a completed manuscript

If you’re a busy professional trying to write a book while managing a career, family, and real life this is a practical, sustainable approach to finishing your first draft.

Chapters:0:00 Finding Writing Discipline in the Middle of Life

0:35 My Journey as an Author

0:50 To the High Achievers Who Want to Write a Book

1:11 Why is it So Hard to Write That Book?

1:53 Identifying the Problem: The High Achiever Trap

2:36 Don't Overcomplicate It

3:03 Over-optimizing Leads to Inaction

3:29 Writing Rewards Reps, Not Strategy

4:19 Find Writing Momentum, Build Mastery

4:49 Write Consistently, Not Every Day

5:47 The Math of Writing Just a Few Minutes Consistently

7:00 Letting Go of Perfection

7:18 What Needs to Change?

8:35 Wanting to Write or Deciding to Write?

9:29 You Are a Writer; Identity Informs Activity

10:04 20-30 Regular, Focused Minutes to a Completed Manuscript

10:42 Making a 30 Day Plan - The Early Writer's BlueprintMentioned in this video

Get The Early Writer’s Blueprint → https://early.tcburr.com

Try Scrivener → https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview?fpr=thomas70

Soundtracks by Jon Acuff → https://amzn.to/401CVl7

Reframe Your Brain by Scott Adams → https://amzn.to/476k1NI

Related videoshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sOUnDufz4g&t=2s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9APF0wj9mw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRNTvmmmqgU

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.#WriteYourBook#FirstDraft#WritingDiscipline#BusyProfessionals#HighAchievers

A note to podcast listeners: this episode contains live video demo and is best consumed on Youtube.com/@tcburr

⬇️ Get the Scrivener Quickstart Guide for free!https://start.tcburr.com

⬇️ Try Scrivener Free for 30 Days (of use) https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview?fpr=thomas70

⬇️ Get Story Geniushttps://amzn.to/4kKQmPO

⬇️ Get Save the Cat! Writes a Novelhttps://amzn.to/4rXtBKS

⬇️ Other books & resources I love

https://https://books.tcburr.com

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Want to create custom metadata in Scrivener? In this step-by-step Scrivener custom metadata tutorial, I show you exactly how to create custom fields for outlining, story structure, and scene cards.If you’re using frameworks like Story Genius, Save the Cat, or your own plot grid, custom metadata fields in Scrivener can transform how you organize your novel.In this video:0:00 How to Create Custom Metadata in Scrivener

0:12 How a Full-Time Husband, Dad, Corporate Employee writes a novel

0:29 WHY I USE AND LOVE SCRIVENER

1:08 Getting Oriented with Scrivener

2:44 Scrivener Custom Metadata Tutorial

4:52 Rearranging Metadata Columns in Scrivener

5:47 Scrivener Custom Metadata for Outlining

6:06 Scrivener Custom Metadata Use Cases (Scene Cards, Plot Grid)

6:36 How Scrivener Custom Metadata Saves busy authors time

6:58 Scrivener Custom Metadata Translates to other modes

8:00 Invitation to check out Scrivener’s free trial

This tutorial is perfect for:Fiction writersNovelistsAuthors using story structure frameworksScrivener beginners who want more control

#Scrivener#WritingSoftware#NovelWriting#StoryStructure#FictionWriting

Scrivener Quickstart Guide ➡️ https://start.tcburr.com

Try Scrivener today ➡️ https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview?fpr=thomas70

Get The Early Writer's Blueprint ➡️ https://early.tcburr.com

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This week's episode offers a step-by-step tutorial on Scrivener's Composition mode (best consumed via video on Youtube @tcburr )

Composition mode allows you to block out all the noise, and just focus on your writing project.

0:00 Scrivener Composition Mode0:14 The Challenge of Writing Distractions0:43 Distraction-free writing in Scrivener1:35 Writer, you need a system!2:03 Pricing differentiators for Scrivener2:27 Offline writing with Scrivener2:42 Scrivener Composition mode (step by step tutorial) 3:18 My Top productivity tip for writers3:36 Just you, a flashing cursor, and a blank document4:00 Customization options in Scrivener’s composition mode6:09 Focus & Typewriter in Scrivener Composition mode7:49 An old school writing experience in Scrivener

Related videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db3Y5_1Q3nIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRNTvmmmqgUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOZBSieGZm8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1MQfSdo5hkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sOUnDufz4g

#Scrivener #WritingTips #NovelWriting #EarlyWriters #WritingSystems #ProductivityForWriters