A Soft Start: a 30-Day Writing Practice

Let’s bring your story to life — one brave sentence at a time.

You have ideas. Maybe even whole stories waiting inside you. But somehow, the days slip by — and the page stays blank.

You’ve been carrying your words for a long time. Waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect plan, the perfect spark.

But writing doesn’t begin with perfection. It begins with one brave sentence.

A Soft Start is a gentle 30-day writing practice — a creative reset designed to help you return to your words, rebuild trust in yourself, and find your rhythm again.

Whether you’re starting from a blank page or a half-finished draft, you’ll be supported with structure, encouragement, and community.

For the writer who's ready to begin again.

This practice is for you if…

• You feel stuck, blocked, or unsure how to find your way back to the page

• You’re returning to writing after a break — short or long

• You’re exhausted from forcing discipline when what you really need is gentleness

• You want encouragement and community, without comparison or pressure
  

If you’ve been telling yourself you should be writing — you’re not failing. You’re just ready for a softer start.

What you’ll receive

A Soft Start is a 30-day writing practice designed to help you return to the page. Over the month, you’ll receive:

✨ Daily writing invitations
Each day, you’ll be offered choices — a word, a question, or a creative prompt — so you can follow what feels most alive that day. There is no “right” way to respond. One sentence counts. Showing up counts.

✨ Two live writing sessions each week (with replays)
These are quiet, focused spaces where we write together in real time. You can join live or watch the replay — whatever supports your rhythm best.

✨ Weekly guidance & reflection
Gentle emails and community prompts to help you reflect, recalibrate, and notice what’s shifting — especially when motivation wobbles or perfectionism creeps in.

✨ A private community space
A cosy place to check in, share small wins, reflect on the week, ask questions, or simply sit alongside other writers who are beginning again too. Encouragement over comparison — always.

✨ Optional accountability & gentle structure
You’ll be invited (never forced) to share when you’ve written, what you’re learning, or how the practice is feeling. Consistency is encouraged, not policed.

✨ A guide who writes beside you
I won’t be standing on the sidelines — I’ll be doing the practice too. Writing, showing up, and beginning again alongside you.

A gentle weekly rhythm

Each week follows a familiar, flexible rhythm — daily invitations, optional live sessions, and space to reflect. You decide how deeply you engage.

🪶 Daily — A writing invitation (choose a word, question, or prompt)
🕯️ Twice weekly — Live writing sessions (optional, replayable)
🌿 Once weekly — Reflection & grounding (What worked? What shifted?)

And the community is always open for you to interact.

By the end of 30 days, you’ll have a writing rhythm that feels doable, nourishing, and uniquely yours.

This practice is not:

❌ A word-count challenge

❌ A productivity bootcamp

❌ A test of discipline or willpower

By the end of 30 days, you won’t just have written more —
you’ll feel able, proud, and confident you can keep going.
That is the real transformation.

We begin on the 1st of January 2026, with a live opening session.

Why this works

Because creativity thrives with care and consistency.

This practice isn’t about word counts or rigid goals.
It’s about reclaiming your creative voice — one small return at a time.

🪶Instead of pressure, you’ll find gentle structure.
🪶Instead of isolation, you’ll find quiet accountability.
🪶Instead of letting your inner critic lead, you’ll learn to keep showing up anyway.

By the end of 30 days, you’ll have:

🕯️ A steadier writing rhythm
🕯️ Deeper trust in yourself and the page
🕯️ A story that’s finally in motion

This is not accidental — the structure is designed this way for a reason.

Why I Created 'A Soft Start'

I’ve always believed that stories deserve to be finished — not just started.

For years, I participated in NaNoWriMo and fell in love with the collective energy: thousands of writers showing up together, chasing the same dream.

I’ve completed it more than once — writing 50,000 words in a month and proving to myself that it’s possible.

But I’ve also failed. More than once.

That taught me something crucial: motivation alone isn’t enough.

Even with pep talks, forums, and reminders, writing often still happened in isolation. Without gentle guidance or real accountability, momentum faded. And while ambitious word counts can be powerful, they aren’t the right fit for every writer — or every season of life.

What I needed wasn’t more pressure.
It was more support.
Not a bigger goal — but a steadier, kinder rhythm.

That’s why I created A Soft Start.

This practice carries the shared energy I loved about NaNoWriMo, but reshapes it into something sustainable and human — with structure that supports you, community that holds you, and space to write without constantly proving yourself.

It’s not about racing to a number.
It’s about returning to your writing — until it becomes something you trust.

Because you don’t need another challenge that burns you out.
You need a practice that brings you home to your words.

A gentle note on pricing

This January pilot is offered as a beta round for £20 — giving you full access to the 30-day practice, live sessions, prompts, and community support.
An optional 1:1 coaching add-on is available for those who’d like deeper, personalised guidance.

This is a pilot round, shaped in real time alongside the writers who join.
No pressure. Just an open invitation.

Pricing will increase after the pilot round.

Your Next Chapter Starts Here

You don’t need to feel ready.
You don’t need a plan.
You only need a place to begin.

Join A Soft Start and return to your writing — gently, consistently, and in good company.

Joining the waitlist doesn’t commit you to anything.
It simply keeps you informed and holds your place for January.

Frequently asked questions

When does the next round begin?

The January pilot begins on 1 January 2026, with a live opening call in the afternoon (UK time).

It’s designed as a gentle way to begin your writing year — with clarity, structure, and support from day one.

What if I 'fall behind'?

You can’t fall behind.

This practice is designed around returning, not keeping streaks. You’re welcome to catch up, skip a day, or simply begin again whenever you need to. Every word counts. Showing up matters more than consistency.

There is no guilt here — only grace.

How much does it cost?
The January pilot is offered as a beta round for £20, which includes:

• Full access to the 30-day practice

• All live writing sessions (with replays)

• Daily prompts and invitations

• Community access for the entire month
  

An optional 1:1 coaching add-on (£40) is available if you’d like deeper, personalised guidance alongside the group practice.

Who is this practice for?

A Soft Start is for writers who want to rebuild their relationship with writing — gently.

Whether you’re returning after a long break, starting something new, or simply tired of forcing yourself to “be disciplined,” you’re welcome here. You don’t need a finished idea or a clear plan — just a willingness to begin.

Where does it take place?

All live writing sessions take place in a private Facebook group, with replays available if you can’t join live.

The opening and closing calls will be hosted via Zoom, so you can connect face to face and celebrate your progress together.

Where can I learn more about you?

You can explore my About page to learn more about my own writing journey and why I believe every story deserves its place in the world. If you want to know more about my writing check out my author page.

Is this like NaNoWriMo?

In spirit, yes — but with a gentler approach.

NaNoWriMo sparked my own writing journey and taught me the power of shared momentum. It also showed me what many writers are missing: ongoing support, flexibility, and space to write without burning out.

A Soft Start keeps the community energy — and removes the pressure.

I still have a question — can I ask you?

Of course.

If something isn’t clear, you’re very welcome to reach out. I’m always happy to help you decide whether this practice is the right fit for you.

Just shoot me a message and I'll get back to you asap. 😊

🕯️ Ready to begin gently?
A Soft Start is a 30-day writing practice built around care, consistency, and community.

Do I need to write every day?

You’ll receive daily writing invitations, but how often you write — and how much — is always your choice.

Some days might be one sentence. Other days more. The practice is designed to meet you where you are, not demand more than you can give.

About A Soft Start: the 30-Day Writing Practice by Sam Michelle
A gentle, guided online writing practice designed to help aspiring authors and creative writers build a sustainable writing habit, find their voice, and finish their stories. Perfect for writers seeking an encouraging alternative to NaNoWriMo — with live sessions, community accountability, and creative guidance from UK writing coach Sam Michelle.