Staying in Touch with your Inner Writer

How to channel your craft on and off the page.

by Anna Altman ★ January 11th, 2026

Photo Credit: Olivia Longabardi

As writers, we often face periods of time where we simply feel stuck. Perhaps we are coping with intense writer’s block or even just grappling with a lack of motivation to write. Not every day is going to be filled with time to craft something incredible, but there are subtle ways to stay in touch with your passion and skill that can help you stay true to your creative self. 

Be Observant at all Times 

One of the most critical characteristics of a writer is being carefully observant and taking mental and physical notes of daily happenings that feel important to you. Whether you witnessed a romantic interaction at a coffeeshop or came across a delicately beautiful park, these seemingly small moments can spark your largest ideas. I recommend trying to carry some sort of physical note-taking tool that can help you remember the details you appreciate in your daily life. I promise that your ability to be patient and observant will help sprout your creative roots again. 

Make Reading a Priority

Try to spend 20 minutes a day reading something recreational. I tend to turn to thriller or historical fiction novels when I’m feeling especially bored, and I usually end up feeling more inspired after immersing myself in the pages. When you allow yourself time to feel someone else’s story, you might feel your wheels turning for the creation of your own. 

Explore Various Writing Disciplines

Don’t be afraid to branch out as a writer. In fact, it’s key that you give yourself space to experiment with forms of writing that feel unfamiliar to you. While I normally stick to non-fiction writing, I occasionally practice poetry and end up experiencing a flow. Even though my poetry is usually just for me, engaging with this creative and somewhat unaccustomed side of myself strengthens my writing skills as a whole and helps me recreationally stay in touch with my passion for storytelling. Perhaps you haven’t explored journalistic writing, or maybe you’ve had the long-term goal of writing a short story. Regardless of your strengths as a writer, try to challenge yourself with techniques you may be less adept at. 

While these three recommendations will undoubtedly help you grow as a writer, you must come up with your own daily practices that will help you maintain your editorial goals. This advice isn’t simply aimed at increasing your skills, but to remind you to practice your craft, which can often be highly therapeutic. Remember, once a writer, always a writer. I believe in you!

Edited by: Maia Simmons