3 ways I'll help you move forward in 2026

Become a more consistent and effective writer this year

Here’s to a happy and healthy writing year in 2026!

This newsletter is my phoenix rising from the ashes.

It’s a labor of love, realization, and transformation. And I had to burn it all down for it to become what it is today.

Today, The Bite-Sized Storytelling Boost is a home for readers and writers who want to connect, are seeking inspiration, and appreciate a well-told tale.

There are three lessons I can share from my work over the past year to launch this newsletter, three ways I can help you build your writing practice in 2026.

Form healthy writing habits

It’s not really possible to grow as a writer unless you produce quality work regularly and have access to tools and resources to help you do so.

• Break down your writing projects into manageable chunks. For example, write short form on certain days, and reuse that in your longer-form pieces.

• Maintain an adaptable schedule of weekly writing tasks. If things shift a few hours or a day into the week, give yourself some grace, but don’t give up.

The two resources that can help you with developing writing habits are the Writers Inspired by the Arts community and the Notes2Post Toolkit. You can find more info here:

Include your readers in the writing process

Don’t resort to shouting into the void.

It’s impossible to communicate effectively if you don’t consider your audience.

• Find that one action, that one piece of dialogue or description that is relatable and weave it into your narrative.

  The greatest compliment you can receive is someone telling you they felt they were there with you, they were a part of the story, or they experienced emotions similar to your own.

• Always put your work aside and return to it with a more critical eye. You and your readers will be glad you did.

Join the Bite-Sized Storytelling Boost to weekly stories and receive regular tips. Become a paid subscriber for free access to Writers Inspired by the Arts and other resources.

Form a circle of trust with other writers

Open yourself to writers both within and outside of your niche.

Gain insight and readership by connecting with people whose work you respect.

• Do more than “like” someone’s work. Offer detailed comments on what someone has written, or how it was written.

  You become visible to people you may never have met. Perhaps you will become friends. Perhaps they will read your work.

• Respond to comments by others on your work by providing further insight, offering solace, or offering advice.

Among the wonderful teachers on Substack are Claudia Faith, Sarah Fay, PhD, and Kristina God. Subscribing to them will yield unique insights into running your newsletter.

Some of the writers whose connections I value so highly include Salwa, Dr. Wendy Pabich, Michelle Dowd, Laury Boone Browning, Beckett Johnson, Aimee Liu, Sarvam, and Simone Kornalijnslijper.

Everyone mentioned here has been a teacher to me; each of these writers has opened windows to worlds they share in beautiful and powerful ways. They have encouraged me in my transformation over the past year, and in their unique ways have contributed to the vision I’ve applied to The Bite-Sized Storytelling Boost.

I’d love to help you realize your vision in 2026. If you’re looking to develop healthier writing habits, write more intentionally with your readers in mind, and connect more closely with other writers, join me, join us, in this new year.

Let us know what you’re planning on accomplishing this year. Maybe your fellow writers can help out.