Daily Writing Tip — Jul 10, 2026

The trick behind Sanderson's question is that it swaps the exhausting present tense of writing for the satisfying past tense of having written. Motivation often collapses under the weight of "I have to sit and produce sentences right now," but it perks up when you picture the scene already finished, existing, done. Say you're avoiding a tricky chapter transition — instead of asking what to write, ask what you want that chapter to have accomplished by its last page. The destination pulls you forward more than the blank page pushes you.

The caution: don't let this become a way to skip drafting entirely, endlessly fantasizing about the finished book while avoiding the messy middle where actual sentences get made. The vision should aim your effort, not replace it.