Olivia O’Ryan—Author
@oliviaoryanwrites.bsky.social
Writer/author—interested in authorship, author business, productivity, procrastination, building community and audience. Author of THE 20-MINUTE WRITING HABIT. https://oliviaoryan.myflodesk.com/free-tips
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Ok introductions. Hi, I’m Olivia, and I used to work in corporate as a process documenter/engineer in relation to productivity.
I wanted to branch out into writing because as I quickly discovered in my career, the act/art of writing itself is a peculiar process and not one that can be “machined”.
I wanted to branch out into writing because as I quickly discovered in my career, the act/art of writing itself is a peculiar process and not one that can be “machined”.
An article for a Sunday morning... and something for you to look forward to!
oliviaoryan.substack.com/p/why-anothe...
oliviaoryan.substack.com/p/why-anothe...
Why Another Book About Writing Habits? (And Why This One Actually Works)
I know what you’re thinking...
oliviaoryan.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:38 PM
An article for a Sunday morning... and something for you to look forward to!
oliviaoryan.substack.com/p/why-anothe...
oliviaoryan.substack.com/p/why-anothe...
The obstacle: Analysis paralysis. The solution: Pick one project. Commit to 20 minutes. Start. One choice. One commitment.
January 24, 2026 at 4:35 AM
The obstacle: Analysis paralysis. The solution: Pick one project. Commit to 20 minutes. Start. One choice. One commitment.
What would your writing look like if you trusted yourself more? If you believed your voice mattered? Try it.
January 24, 2026 at 3:58 AM
What would your writing look like if you trusted yourself more? If you believed your voice mattered? Try it.
Stop overthinking. Start typing. The cursor is blinking. That's your cue.
January 24, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Stop overthinking. Start typing. The cursor is blinking. That's your cue.
You don't need a writing degree. You need discipline and 20 minutes. Education helps. But commitment matters more.
January 24, 2026 at 1:22 AM
You don't need a writing degree. You need discipline and 20 minutes. Education helps. But commitment matters more.
What story have you been telling yourself about why you can't write? Is it true, or is it just comfortable?
January 23, 2026 at 5:44 PM
What story have you been telling yourself about why you can't write? Is it true, or is it just comfortable?
Anyone else get excited about their book cover being designed & finished, and then realize you have to market your book?
...and then dread and excitement hit you equally at the same time?
That's how I'm feeling today.
...and then dread and excitement hit you equally at the same time?
That's how I'm feeling today.
January 23, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Anyone else get excited about their book cover being designed & finished, and then realize you have to market your book?
...and then dread and excitement hit you equally at the same time?
That's how I'm feeling today.
...and then dread and excitement hit you equally at the same time?
That's how I'm feeling today.
The obstacle: 'I don't feel creative today.' The solution: Creativity is a practice, not a feeling. Show up anyway.
January 23, 2026 at 5:31 AM
The obstacle: 'I don't feel creative today.' The solution: Creativity is a practice, not a feeling. Show up anyway.
Productivity hack: Do the thing you're avoiding first. Eat the frog. Write the hard sentence. Get it done.
January 23, 2026 at 4:19 AM
Productivity hack: Do the thing you're avoiding first. Eat the frog. Write the hard sentence. Get it done.
What would you write about if you had all the time in the world? Now write about that in 20 minutes. Time expands when you focus.
January 23, 2026 at 3:31 AM
What would you write about if you had all the time in the world? Now write about that in 20 minutes. Time expands when you focus.
The magic isn't in the muse—it's in the mundane commitment to show up. Every day. Inspired or not. Ready or not.
January 23, 2026 at 2:50 AM
The magic isn't in the muse—it's in the mundane commitment to show up. Every day. Inspired or not. Ready or not.
What does your writing practice look like when you remove all expectations? When you're not writing to publish or impress? What emerges?
January 23, 2026 at 1:20 AM
What does your writing practice look like when you remove all expectations? When you're not writing to publish or impress? What emerges?
You don't need a new idea. You need to finish the one you have. Stop collecting ideas and start completing them.
January 22, 2026 at 5:44 AM
You don't need a new idea. You need to finish the one you have. Stop collecting ideas and start completing them.
The obstacle: Decision fatigue. The solution: Write at the same time every day. Remove the decision. Make it automatic.
January 22, 2026 at 4:02 AM
The obstacle: Decision fatigue. The solution: Write at the same time every day. Remove the decision. Make it automatic.
Time blocking works. Twenty minutes for writing. Everything else can wait. The laundry will still be there. Your words won't wait forever.
January 22, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Time blocking works. Twenty minutes for writing. Everything else can wait. The laundry will still be there. Your words won't wait forever.
What's the one project you've been putting off? Why? What would happen if you started it today, imperfectly, for 20 minutes?
January 22, 2026 at 2:33 AM
What's the one project you've been putting off? Why? What would happen if you started it today, imperfectly, for 20 minutes?
Stop waiting for permission. Give it to yourself. You're the only authority you need. Your voice matters because it's yours.
January 22, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Stop waiting for permission. Give it to yourself. You're the only authority you need. Your voice matters because it's yours.
The obstacle: 'I'm not a real writer.' The solution: Real writers write. So write. You don't need credentials. You need commitment.
January 21, 2026 at 5:08 AM
The obstacle: 'I'm not a real writer.' The solution: Real writers write. So write. You don't need credentials. You need commitment.
What would it feel like to finish that piece you started months ago? To type 'The End'? That feeling is waiting for you.
January 21, 2026 at 4:00 AM
What would it feel like to finish that piece you started months ago? To type 'The End'? That feeling is waiting for you.
Productivity isn't measured in hours—it's measured in progress. Did you move forward? That's enough. That's always enough.
January 21, 2026 at 3:54 AM
Productivity isn't measured in hours—it's measured in progress. Did you move forward? That's enough. That's always enough.
What if the goal wasn't to write well, but just to write? What if you removed all judgment and just let words flow?
January 21, 2026 at 2:31 AM
What if the goal wasn't to write well, but just to write? What if you removed all judgment and just let words flow?
The obstacle: Comparison. The solution: Your story isn't theirs. Write yours. The world doesn't need another version of someone else.
January 21, 2026 at 1:24 AM
The obstacle: Comparison. The solution: Your story isn't theirs. Write yours. The world doesn't need another version of someone else.
You're not behind. You're exactly where you need to be. Now write. Comparison is the death of creativity.
January 20, 2026 at 5:55 AM
You're not behind. You're exactly where you need to be. Now write. Comparison is the death of creativity.
What's one limiting belief you have about your writing? That it's self-indulgent? That it doesn't matter? What if you're wrong?
January 20, 2026 at 4:12 AM
What's one limiting belief you have about your writing? That it's self-indulgent? That it doesn't matter? What if you're wrong?