A warm Christmas and New Year Message, with encouragement and fresh inspiration for writers
As the year winds down and Christmas lights twinkle around us, I wanted to pause and send you the warmest of holiday wishes. Whether you’re reading this with a cup of tea in hand, stealing a quiet moment between family gatherings, or taking a well-deserved break from your manuscript, know that you’re part of something beautiful, a community of storytellers who dare to put words on paper.
This time of year always makes me reflective. There’s something about the combination of twinkling lights, familiar carols, and that sense of possibility that comes with a fresh calendar that stirs the creative soul. But I also know that for many writers, the holidays can bring mixed emotions. Maybe this year didn’t unfold quite as you’d planned with your writing goals. Perhaps that novel is still sitting at chapter three, or those rejection letters feel heavier than the Christmas parcels under the tree.
Here’s what I want you to know: you’re exactly where you need to be.
Permission to rest (yes, really)
If you’re feeling guilty about not writing during the holidays, I’m officially giving you permission to close that laptop. The creative mind needs rest just like any other muscle that’s been working hard. And let’s be honest, most of us have been working very hard this year.
I’ve noticed something interesting in my years of coaching writers: the ones who push themselves relentlessly often burn out faster than those who understand the rhythm of creative seasons. Writing isn’t a sprint; it’s more like a marathon with rest stops along the way. The holidays? Consider them your official rest stop.
Use this time to:
- Read for pleasure without analysing every sentence structure
- Watch movies or shows that make you laugh, cry, or think differently
- Have conversations with people who aren’t writers (they often have the most surprising story ideas)
- Rest your mind from the constant internal narrator that most of us carry around
The beautiful thing about stepping away from your work-in-progress is that your subconscious keeps working on it even when you’re not consciously thinking about it. I can’t tell you how many breakthrough moments have come to me while washing dishes or wrapping presents.
Let’s celebrate your progress (all of it)
Before we look ahead to the new year, let’s take a moment to acknowledge what you’ve accomplished in 2025. And I don’t just mean the big wins: though those absolutely count too.
Did you:
- Write a single paragraph that felt true?
- Finish a short story, even if you’re not sure it’s any good?
- Submit something somewhere, despite the fear of rejection?
- Join a writing group or take a class?
- Simply show up to the page more often than you did the year before?
All of this matters. Every word written, every craft lesson learned, every small act of creative courage adds up. The writing journey isn’t just about crossing finish lines; it’s about becoming the kind of person who writes. And if you’re reading this, chances are you’re already well on your way.
I remember working with a client last year who was convinced she was a “failure” because she hadn’t finished her memoir. When we sat down and looked at what she had accomplished, we discovered she’d written over 30,000 words, learned to write compelling dialogue, and developed a daily writing habit. “Failure”? Hardly. She was becoming a writer, one page at a time.
Fresh ideas for the New Year
Now, let’s talk about stepping into 2026 with renewed energy and enthusiasm. The new year doesn’t magically transform us into different writers, but it does offer us a chance to approach our craft with fresh perspective.
Here are some gentle strategies I’ve seen work time and again:
Start smaller than you think you should
Forget the grand new year resolutions about writing every day for two hours. Instead, commit to something so small it feels almost silly not to do it. Write for five minutes. Write one sentence. Write three words that capture how you’re feeling. The key is building momentum, not perfection.
Try something different
If you’ve been working on the same project for months (or years), consider taking a brief detour. Write a letter to your character. Try writing in a different genre for a week. Experiment with poetry if you’re a novelist, or flash fiction if you usually write long-form. Sometimes the best way to solve a problem in one story is to play in a completely different sandbox.
Find your writing community
One thing the past few years have taught us is how much we need connection. If you don’t already have a writing community, make finding one a priority. This could be a local writing group, an online community, or even just one other writer friend you check in with regularly. Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavour.
Embrace the messy middle
Every writer, no matter how successful, spends most of their time in the messy middle of projects. That place where the initial excitement has worn off but you can’t yet see the finish line. Instead of fighting this phase, try to find curiosity there. What surprises might your characters have for you? What unexpected turns might your story take?
Hope for what’s ahead
I’m thinking about all the stories that exist right now only in the minds of writers around the world. Your story is one of them. The novel you’re afraid to start, the memoir you think no one will want to read, the poetry collection you’ve been quietly working on: these stories matter. They matter because they’re yours, and they matter because the world needs voices like yours.
There’s something magical that happens when a writer commits to their craft with both patience and passion. It’s not always dramatic: more often, it’s quiet and steady, like water slowly shaping stone. But the transformation is real. Each time you choose to write instead of watching TV, each time you push through a difficult scene, each time you revise with care, you’re becoming more fully yourself.
I’ve seen writers transform their lives through their commitment to storytelling. Not because they became bestsellers (though some did), but because they learned to trust their own voice. They discovered that they had something valuable to say and the ability to say it well.
Looking forward together
As we step into 2026, I want you to carry this with you: your writing journey is unique, and it’s exactly as it should be. Some years will be more productive than others. Some projects will flow easily while others will feel like pulling teeth. Some days you’ll feel like a “real writer” and other days you’ll wonder what you’re doing.
All of this is normal. All of this is part of the process.
What matters is that you keep showing up. That you treat your creative work with the respect it deserves. That you remember why you started writing in the first place: not for fame or fortune (though those are nice if they come), but for the simple, profound joy of putting words together in a way that captures something true about being human.
The new year is coming soon. Let’s meet it with open hands and curious hearts, ready to discover what stories are waiting for us to tell them.
Until then, rest well, celebrate with the people you love, and remember: you’re not just dreaming of being a writer. You already are one.
With warmth and encouragement for the year ahead,
Tolulope
Ready to make 2026 your breakthrough writing year? If you’re looking for personalized guidance to help you navigate your writing journey, consider joining my one-to-one coaching programmes for personalized guidance, or explore my Creative Writing Course. Or book a call with me to learn more about how I can help you tell the stories that matter to you.
Let’s make 2026 the year your book comes to life!