Write into the Week: November 16, 2025
Elle | Community Manager | November 15, 2025 |
“I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.”
–W. Somerset Maugham
Dear Writer,
I hope you’re having a good start to your week. In this newsletter:
- A writing prompt to inspire your creativity.
- Reading and listening recommendations in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
- Publishing, residency, and retreat opportunities available now.
- Join our free Monday and Friday write-ins, and meet our community of writers.
Happy writing this week!
—Elle, Curriculum Specialist & Community Manager
Writer to Writer: Weather Patterns of Inspiration
I adore the sly humor of “I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp,” by W. Somerset Maugham. It’s a twisted reminder that waiting for inspiration is a luxury few writers can afford. We tend to imagine writing as lightning strikes of inspiration, but, more often, it’s a slow drizzle of self-doubt. If we want writing to be more than just an occasional shock of thunder, we must create the ideal writing weather conditions ourselves: a routine climate of showing up, of sitting in the chair, at devoted times, so that when inspiration does arrive, it knows where to find us.
I understand that some days, the words will feel flat, forced and terribly shitty—but that won’t be every day, not if you show up for your creativity consistently enough. Other days, the words will surprise, delight and reward you. It’s the act of beginning and returning makes the difference. The routine isn’t the enemy of inspiration; it’s the doorway to it.
So this week, don’t wait for the muse to call. Instead, put your phone and life on mute. Pick your hour, sit down, and make it easy for creativity to find you.
Writing Prompt:
Pick a specific time today—or sometime this week—and treat it as your inspiration appointment. Sit down for ten minutes and write whatever comes up, even if it feels dull, messy or reluctant at first. Don’t show up with preconceived notions of what you’ll write. Let the act of showing up be the point, and the words that follow be the gift.
If you enjoy the experience, set up 2-3 inspiration appointments with yourself for next week. Keep adding to help gently build a creative routine.
Reading Recommendations:
On Craft:
- “Jen Percy on the Subversive Possibilities of Structure” by Jen Percy. In this craft essay, Percy explores how structure can become an act of resistance. It’s a powerful reminder that form doesn’t just shape a story; sometimes it is the story.
On Reading:
- “The Joy of Reading Slowly” by Laura Spence-Ash. In this gorgeous personal essay, Spence-Ash explores how learning to read slowly revived her love of books, deepened her craft, and helped her reclaim a joy in details she’d lost in the distracting chaos of modern life.
On The Nature of Creativity:
- “Against the Cartesian Myth of Work/Life Balance: André Gregory’s Extraordinary Letter to Richard Avedon about the Nature of Creativity” by Maria Popova. This beautiful Marginalian piece traces André Gregory’s extraordinary letter to Richard Avedon. The letter is a moving exploration of how creativity blurs the line between life and work. It’s am oft needed reminder that the art we make is inseparable from the lives we live.
Listening Recommendations:
- From Always Take Notes Podcast: “#225: Susan Choi, novelist” – Hosts Rachel and Simon speak to American novelist Susan Choi. Susan is the author of six novels, including American Woman, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and Trust Exercise, which won the National Book Award for Fiction in 2019. Her latest novel, Flashlight was shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize.
- From The New Yorker The Writer’s Voice Podcast “Paul Yoon Reads ‘The New Coast’” – Paul Yoon reads his story “The New Coast.” Yoon is the author of five books of fiction, including the novel Run Me to Earth, and the story collection The Hive and the Honey.
Publishing Opportunities:
- Allium, a Journal of Poetry and Prose– Submission Deadline: February 15, 2026. Accepting submissions for poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, for consider for three upcoming issues. They do accept simultaneous submissions.
- Boulevard Literary Magazine’s Short Fiction Contest – Entry Deadline: December 31, 2025. This contest is for emerging writers! Boulevard is accepting submissions of short fiction (up to 8,000 words) from any writer who has not published a nationally distributed book. The winning entry will receive $1,500, and all entrants will receive a print subscription to the magazine.
Monday and Friday: Free Group Writing Sessions
Come write with us! Community write-ins are a great way to meet other writers, and carve out space in your calendar for your writing.
Monday: Write Into the Week with Elle
Join me (Elle) for an hour of mindset support, goal setting, community, and dedicated time to write! We’ll meet on Monday at 11 AM Eastern time, at this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83999379617
Friday: Open Write-In
Join the Writers.com staff for a 90-minute writing session each Friday from 11 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern time. We will write together for the first hour. In the last, optional half hour, we’ll share our writing with one another and connect.
To add yourself, join our newsletter using the join box above, and add yourself to the “Friday Write-Ins” list at the bottom of any email. We’ll send you a Zoom link the morning of the call.
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We’re sharing writing tips, creative prompts, and a steady stream of encouragement—follow us @writersdotcom. Click below to check out one of our latest posts on writing creative nonfiction.
