Rebellion, Support, and the Magic Between
During this series, we’ve been laying down the essential foundation for your writing journey – Plan Like a Pro, Write Like a Rebel. With Part 1, you’ve hopefully taken the time to define your why—the deeper purpose that drives your passion. You’ve mapped out your destination, creating clear goals and milestones to guide your progress. You’ve also established a structure, setting up routines and systems to keep you organized, and you’ve started building momentum, gaining confidence and traction along the way.
With Part 2, we moved from the planning phase into taking action with Embrace the Creative Container and Build Strategic Habits. These two steps center of cultivating a writing environment that nurtures your imagination and establishes routines. These two things are very key to consistently showing up and feeling like your efforts are easier—even in the middle of more challenging days.
To recap on Part 2, we explored how boundaries don’t restrict creativity. Instead, they ignite it because a creative container gives your ideas structure and shape. It reduces decision fatigue and gives you a space to come up with your more original ideas. Plus, that easier focus helps with momentum. Whether it’s time blocks, story beats, or themed writing days, the goal is to create a space where your creativity can thrive without chaos.
We also talked about habits such as how small, consistent actions build real progress. Instead of relying on inspiration alone, you are learning how to create a writing rhythm that works with your life, your energy, and your goals.
There is no one size fits all. It’s all about having the right systems for you because when your process supports you, finishing your book becomes not only possible—but inevitable.
And just a reminder: Writing isn’t just about discipline. It’s also about discovery. If your process feels too tight, too lonely, or too demanding, that’s a big sign to expand your strategy. Because again, structure should support your creativity—not suffocate it.
NEXT STEPS:
Now, to breathe new life into this process.
In Step 3 in the Strategic Authoring series, we will be going beyond just planning and executing and focusing on two often-overlooked vital elements. These two things easily can make or break your ability to sustain and enjoy your writing practice. What are these two steps? Creative freedom and community support.
Creative freedom. Writing isn’t just about hitting deadlines or following a strict plan. It’s about allowing yourself the space to rebel against constraints. Yes! Read that again. Be a rebel!!
It’s important to feel free to experiment and explore ideas that don’t fit neatly into your initial outline. By leaving room for rebellion—whether that means taking unexpected narrative turns, writing in different styles, or simply giving yourself permission to write badly—you foster a more authentic and dynamic creative process. You are giving yourself breathing room. Plus, this flexibility often sparks inspiration, prevents burnout, and keeps your work fresh and exciting.
We’ll also delve into the importance of community support. While we write alone, no writer should have to go it alone in every aspect. Having a supportive community can offer encouragement, accountability, and insightful feedback. Planning on how to connect with or build a community—whether through writing groups, workshops, online forums, or mentorship—can help you stay motivated during tough times. Plus talking with others who “get you” and the up and downs of writing feeds the writerly soul. Plus it’s amazingly cool to have others to celebrate your successes and help you gain new perspectives that enrich your work. Cultivating these connections ensures that your writing journey remains sustainable, enjoyable, and filled with shared growth.
Let’s dive in.
✨ Step 6: Leave Room for Rebellion
Even the most beautifully built writing plan needs room to breathe.
And here’s where creative rebellion comes in. Act of defiance? Well… it’s more of a celebration of curiosity, spontaneity, and trusting your instincts. It’s the glorious spark that reminds you writing isn’t just a task—it’s an art. It’s where unexpected twists show up, where side characters come to life, and your story surprises even you.
Planning, yes, gives you a compass—something quite beneficial as we’ve discussed—and rebellion lets you chase the very stars.
You may have already felt times when too much rigidity drains the joy right out of your process and it might feel as if you’re just checking off scenes like a to-do list. Things get done but there’s a missing thrill of discovery. Well… when that happens, it’s not a failure. It’s a signal. A nudge from your creative self saying, “Hey, let’s play.”
Here’s some examples on how to make space for inspired detours:
✍️ Write out of order – Who says you have to write your story from start to finish? If you feel stuck in Act One but your heart is racing about the climactic battle or a vulnerable character confession, go write that scene. Follow the heat. Writing out of sequence isn’t cheating—it’s strategic. It keeps your momentum alive and channels your creative energy where it’s burning brightest. Stitch things together later during revisions, but for now, trust your instincts. Your excitement is pointing to what matters now. And with a logical eye, writing out of order can actually help you understand what you need in the earlier scenes.
🎧 Freewrite in your character’s voice – Step outside the outline and let your character speak. Give them space to rant, dream, confess, or contradict themselves. Let your character write a letter they’ll never send. Or have them vent about another character. Let them reflect on a moment from their past you haven’t included in the story (yet). You might be surprised what comes out. And don’t worry if this stuff won’t be making it into the story itself. This isn’t about polished prose. This is about discovery.
One of the things I’ve learned by doing this is getting into one of my more tight-lipped characters. You have some of those, right? What I ended up doing was interviewing other characters close to him by asking them questions about him. It really didn’t take long before Mr. Tight Lip showed up to defend himself from all the things these other characters chattered about.
🔮 Keep a Rebel Notebook – This is where you can store the “what if” ideas that invade your mind when you’re in the shower or driving your car. You can jot down your side plots that don’t belong in your current chapter but keep tugging at your imagination. And you can write down alternate endings that you’re not ready to commit to.
Who knows when these rebellious threads of raw creative gold will come in handy even if they aren’t part of your structured outline today. They may evolve into future subplots, or sequels, or emotional breakthroughs for your characters… or who knows where they’ll go. And the point isn’t to use everything. The point is to honor your creative curiosity. Give yourself permission to explore off-map ideas. Keep your process vibrant and flexible and deeply personal. Additionally, having a Rebel Notebook can easily remind you that you’re not just building a book—you’re building a world. And worlds are always bigger than what ends up on the page.
🌀 Follow fascination – When something catches your creative attention—a fleeting image, an unusual idea, a character voice whispering in the background—don’t dismiss it just because it’s not in your plan. Follow it. That spark of fascination often is your intuition pointing toward something meaningful.
For example, it might be a strange piece of lore that pops into your mind, or maybe a side character who suddenly feels far more interesting than you expected. Maybe it’s a setting detail, a single line of dialogue, or a “what if” question that tugs at you all day.
I’ll give you an example of one of my fascination rabbit holes. I recently had a new character show up unexpectedly. I mean, yes, physically he was there as an extra but he was meant to be some no-name scribe in a lord’s entourage. I’m looking at what I wrote thinking “I have a lot of details on this character and his clothing and gear seem a bit out of place.”
I figured I would have to cut details to make him less interesting but I didn’t. I went down the rabbit hole instead and I’m very glad I did. If I hadn’t I wouldn’t have realized that this scribe was the lord’s oldest rebellious son who has been forced into a scribe role as a way to attend his father while also serving punishment as scribes are more lowly than the guard or a herald. I also discovered that this scribe and my secondary point-of- view character has history and that opened the flood gates to all sorts of greater connections and a deeper dive into my story world and its theme.
So please, when something catches your creative attention, don’t ignore it. Chase it, even briefly. Those unexpected detours can lead to some of the most emotionally resonant or original parts of your story.
Additional Ways to Make Space for Inspired Detours:
- Schedule a “Surprise Scene” Day Once a week (or month), give yourself permission to write a scene you weren’t planning—just for fun. No pressure to use it later. This low-stakes exploration can reveal surprising emotional beats or deepen your character arcs.
- Create a “Sandbox Document” Keep a separate file where you can experiment freely. Try alternate versions of a conversation, explore “what if” outcomes, or test new voices without worrying about ruining your draft. This space keeps creativity flowing without pressure.
- Start a Character Diary Let one of your characters narrate their thoughts in journal format. What are they afraid of? What secret are they hiding? These entries can reveal emotional subtext and offer insight you can layer into your main narrative.
- Write Flash Fiction or Backstory Vignettes Take a break from the main plot to write a short scene from your character’s childhood or a forgotten moment from your world’s history. These exercises often breathe fresh life into your world building or tone.
- Set a Timer and Write “Off Script” Give yourself 10–15 minutes to write whatever comes to mind within your story world. The time limit keeps it playful, and the “off script” rule lets your imagination wander into unexpected places.
- Role play Conversations Between Characters Write dialogue-heavy scenes where characters speak openly—without worrying about plot mechanics. You may discover hidden tensions, humor, or vulnerability that enrich future scenes.
- Change the Medium Try writing a poem, a letter, or even a short script inspired by your story. Switching formats can reawaken your creativity and reveal different sides of your characters or themes.
Oh, and remember Rebellion doesn’t mean scrapping your outline. It means giving yourself permission to diverge within your framework. After all, you’ve done the work of clarifying your why and you’ve built a strong foundation, so these creative risks should feel more exciting instead of destabilizing.
In other words, let your strategy be a safety net—not a leash—because sometimes, the scenes that weren’t on the schedule become the ones your readers never forget.
🤝 Step 7: Strategize Support
Writing is often a solitary act—you sit with your thoughts, your characters, and a blinking cursor. But success? That doesn’t have to be solitary at all. In fact, trying to go it alone for the long haul can be exhausting and isolating. Creativity needs connection. It thrives in environments where you feel seen, supported, and encouraged to keep going, especially on days when doubt creeps in or the words come slow.
That’s why support isn’t optional—it’s strategic. Having the right people, tools, and touch points in place can make all the difference between burning out and breaking through. A writing group, a critique partner, a sprint buddy, a mentor, even a social media accountability post aren’t extras. They’re anchors. They remind you that you’re not doing this alone, that your voice matters, and that there’s a community ready to cheer you on, offer feedback, and celebrate your wins (big and small). Writing may begin in solitude, but lasting success is built on connection.
Support can look like all kinds of things—big or small, formal or casual. Here are just a few powerful ways to build support into your writing life:
- Accountability partners or critique groups Whether it’s one trusted writing friend or a regular group meetup, having people who check in on your goals—or read your work with a sharp but supportive eye—can keep you moving forward. Sometimes, knowing someone’s waiting to hear about your progress is just the push you need to stay on track.
- Writing sprints and co-writing sessions These quick bursts of focused writing, often done live with others (online or in person), create shared momentum. There’s something incredibly motivating about writing side-by-side with others—even in silence—knowing you’re all working toward something together.
- Beta readers or developmental editors Bringing someone into your process who can offer honest, thoughtful feedback on your draft can be game-changing. They’ll spot plot holes, emotional flat lines, or pacing issues you may have gone blind to—and help you shape a stronger, more cohesive story.
- Street teams, launch groups, or cheer squads If you’re publishing, having a group of enthusiastic supporters who help you promote, review, and celebrate your work can make a huge difference. They’re not just marketing help—they’re moral support with a megaphone!
- Delegating where needed—formatting, editing, even meal prep! Support doesn’t always come from other writers. Sometimes it means letting go of tasks that drain your time or energy. Whether it’s hiring an editor, using a formatting tool, or ordering takeout on deadline week, freeing up your mental bandwidth can keep your creativity intact.
How to find writing support:
Finding the right support starts with being open to connection. Remember you don’t have to do this alone. Start by looking in spaces where writers gather: local writing groups, online forums, Facebook communities, Discord servers, or classes and workshops. I belong to several writing communities, like Apex-Writers, and they certainly have been game changers.
For example I have found sprint partners, beta readers, street team members, brainstorming partners, and writing friends in my writing communities. I’m more than happy to share information about writing communities. Many that I have joined have been very welcoming.
Reach out to fellow writers on social media or join a writing sprint group to test the waters. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, share your goals, or simply say, “I’m looking for accountability.” Start the conversation. Over time, you’ll find your people—the ones who cheer you on, give honest feedback, and walk alongside you in both the messy middles and the big wins. And if you don’t find the perfect fit right away? Keep showing up. Your writing community is out there—and they’re looking for someone just like you, too.
💖 Why Support Matters
- 💬 Feedback strengthens your work. You can only see so much from inside your own story. When you’ve been living in your fictional world for months—or even years—it’s easy to become blind to what’s missing or unclear. That’s where fresh eyes make all the difference. Someone else can spot plot holes, character inconsistencies, or pacing issues that you’ve unknowingly skipped over. They can tell you when something doesn’t quite land, when a scene drags, or when a character’s actions don’t align with their development.
Just as importantly, thoughtful feedback can highlight what is working—those moments that shine, resonate, or hit exactly the way you intended. That kind of encouragement helps you trust your instincts, see your own strengths more clearly, and refine your voice with confidence. Constructive feedback isn’t just about fixing flaws—it’s about unlocking the full potential of your story. - 🧭 Accountability keeps you focused. It’s surprisingly easy to drift off course when no one’s expecting you to show up. Life gets busy, doubt creeps in, and before you know it, another week has passed without you touching your manuscript. That’s where accountability becomes a quiet but powerful force. Even a simple message—“How’s the writing going?”—can snap you back into motion and help you keep promises to yourself.
Oh and just so this is very clear…. Accountability is simply an honest check-in—an accounting of what you’ve been up to, without guilt or shame. It’s not about measuring up or being perfect. It’s about being seen. It’s a space to reflect, to regroup, and to recommit in a way that feels empowering—not punishing.
It’s also about someone walking beside you, holding space for your dreams, and reminding you that your writing matters. A gentle nudge to reignite your momentum and turn your promises into progress, one check-in at a time. - 💡 Shared energy refuels your momentum. There’s something powerful about writing alongside others. And it doesn’t have to be working on the same project or even talking much. Just knowing someone else is showing up, committing to their creativity, and pushing through the same struggles you face can be some of biggest motivational energy you’ll experience. It’s a collective rhythm that pulls you forward.
You can experience this in a writing sprint, a co-writing session, brainstorming session, an online check-in group or class. It’s amazing to see how their progress sparks yours and how yours sparks theirs. Everyone feels less alone, more connected, and more motivated to keep going—even when the work feels hard. - 🤝 Connection reminds you: you’re not doing this alone. Yes, writing generally happens in solitude; after all, you’re the one facing the blank page, wrestling with plot twists, and shaping each word. But… the journey itself doesn’t have to be lonely. In fact, it shouldn’t be.
Having even one person to share the ups and downs with can make all the difference. It’s heartening to hear someone say “You’ve got this,” or they send you a perfectly-timed celebration GIF when you’ve hit your word count. Or even replying “Same,” when you admit the scene you just wrote felt like dragging bricks through molasses.
These small moments of connection help ground you. They remind you that the struggle isn’t a sign you’re failing but instead it’s part of the process every writer walks through. Encouragement, commiseration, celebration—they all help lift you out of self-doubt. They bring you back to your why. Because when someone believes in your story alongside you, it’s easier to believe in it yourself.
Final Thoughts
When you leave room for rebellion and invite support into your process, you stop white-knuckling your way to the finish line. You start writing with more freedom, more confidence, and more sustainability.
Your story gets the room it deserves to surprise you. And YOU get a team you deserve who believe in your magic. And together, these steps keep you lit from within—even when the writing gets tough.
It’s an alchemy when you leave room for rebellion while also inviting support into your process. These steps create something incredibly dynamic. And you’ll find the work becomes lighter. Not necessarily easier because face it, writing is hard, but you’re no longer carrying it alone or forcing it to follow a rigid path.
Next up!
Next week, we’ll wrap up the Strategic Authoring series with the final piece of the puzzle: Step 8 – Assess and Adjust. Because no matter how solid your plan is, staying flexible and self-aware is what keeps your writing journey sustainable over time. We’ll explore how to check in with your progress, shift your goals without guilt, and refine your process as you grow. Plus, I’ll share a curated list of tools and resources to help you stay organized, motivated, and strategic every step of the way.
You won’t want to miss this final chapter—it’s where all the pieces come together.
TF (Tammy) Burke is a YA fantasy author, journalist, and community builder passionate about weaving worlds where magic, resilience, and wonder collide. She’s the author of the Heart of the Worlds series, including the bestselling Faeries Don’t Lie and Faeries Don’t Forgive, with Faeries Don’t Hide releasing in late 2025.
A former newspaper journalist with over 400 published articles, Tammy blends a love of storytelling, folklore, and medieval history into her work. From local meetups to international zoom calls, she energizes audiences with dynamic author presentations.
She is also an admin, active host and content creator with the Apex-Writers group, an international writing community founded by New York Times bestselling author David Farland, and has served as president and conference chair of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group (GLVWG).
