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Breakthroughs & Blocks

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Manage your distractions the ancient Greek way

What The Odyssey, a mast, some rope and an awful lot of beeswax teaches us about willpower.

Starting Afresh: our community experiment is underway!

Testing out Oliver Burkeman's editing tip

Find the right container for your writing

From constraints to carrier bags and why we need something to contain our writing - lessons from Ursula K Le Guin and my bathroom skirting boards.

The Green Eggs and Ham model of creativity

Constraints work brilliantly - until they don't

One last step to make this sprint count

That’s it, you’ve crossed the finishing line, thanks so much for sprinting with us.

Writing Sprint Day 7: Harness that finishing feeling 🔚​

It’s the final day of your writing sprint and the chequered flag is in sight – you’re nearly there!

Writing Sprint Day 6: Shake It Up 💥

Welcome to shake-it-up Saturday - it's time to throw your workday routine up in the air!

Writing Sprint Day 5: What’s Gone Well? 🎉

It’s the end of the working week for many – but not the end of the sprint! Let’s celebrate what’s gone well so far.

Writing Sprint Day 4: Are You On Track to Finish? 🏃🏽‍♀️

You are on the fourth day of your sprint which means you’re half-way through - well done for hitting the mid-point milestone! 👏👏

Starting afresh! Join me for a community editing experiment

Your invitation to join us in a community experiment to try Oliver Burkeman's 'massively eccentric' writing tip.

Writing Sprint Day 3: What Are Your Obstacles? 👀​

Any race involves obstacles – places where you might trip up. Nobody wants to experience them, but they will happen.

Writing Sprint Day 2: How Did it Go Yesterday? 📝​

You’re on day two and today is about learning, looking back and planning ahead.

Writing Sprint Day 1: What’s Your First Step? 👣

It’s the first day of your 7-Day Writing Sprint. Go, go, go...

Writing Sprint: On Your Marks, Get Set… 💫

Two things to do before your 7-Day Sprint starts on Monday.

Reading for writers

Four new books, four creative classics, and why I'm suddenly in three book clubs.

Your August sprint starts in July ☀️​

If you've been meaning to give sprinting a go – now's your chance!

Hello, we're Bec and Chris

Introducing us, a very large dog and how we can help you keep writing

Six writing experiments

Six writers, six experiments - our first series of 'This Might Work' has wrapped. Here’s some bits we loved. Poll: what community writing experiment shall we do next?

Six writers, six experiments

Listen now (12 mins) | The best bits from series one of This Might Work

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The stories we tell ourselves

Folklore or fact? The stories we tell ourselves about writing shape our identity and behaviour. It's time to notice and change the narrative.

Can you freewrite for hours?

You might have tried freewriting, but have you done it for hours? Today's episode of 'This Might Work' shares what happens when a writer takes freewriting to the max.