December Dreaming: 5 Writing Templates for Your 2025 Book

I don’t know about you, but as I emerge from my Thanksgiving food coma I’m really looking forward to the coziness of the month ahead. There's something about December that feels perfect for curling up with a notebook and starting to dream about next year's goals (while also frantically shopping, crafting, and consuming as many calories as possible). And if writing a book is on your 2025 vision board, I've got some gentle ways to ease into the author mindset without overwhelming yourself during the holiday season.

Instead of diving straight into manuscript writing (which can feel daunting), let's focus on some cozy writing exercises that will help you take the first steps in developing your author voice and clarifying your message. Think of these as the literary equivalent of warming up by the fire with hot cocoa – comfortable, enjoyable, and secretly productive.

Here are five writing templates and exercises to play around with between holiday festivities:

1. The "Why I Care" Journal Prompt 

Set a timer for 10 minutes and complete this sentence: "I want to write this book because..." Keep writing without stopping, letting your thoughts flow naturally. You might be surprised by what emerges when you dig into your deeper motivations (if you’ve been needing to update your About Me page, this exercise is gold). 

2. The Reader Letter Template 

Dear [ideal reader], I see how you're struggling with [specific challenge]. I understand because [personal experience]. I want to show you [solution/transformation]. Here's what's possible: [paint a picture of their future].

3. The Story Bank Exercise

 Create a simple three-column document:

• Patient/Client Challenge
• What I Did/Learned
• How This Could Help Readers 

Fill in just one story per day. By the new year, you'll have a collection of stories for potential book material.

4. The Chapter Hook Template 

Imagine starting each chapter with: "Most [healthcare providers/patients] think [common belief], but what if I told you [unexpected insight]?" Try writing three different versions for your book's topic.

5. The Value Ladder 

List out your expertise in ascending order:

• What everyone knows
• What most professionals know
• What experienced professionals know
• What only specialists know
• What you've uniquely discovered

These exercises aren't about producing polished writing (we’re leaving that kind of work to our 2025 selves). They're about getting comfortable with putting your thoughts on paper and starting to organize your expertise in a way that will serve your future readers.

My suggestion? Pick one template that resonates with you and try it out this weekend. Maybe light a candle, make your favorite warm drink, and spend 15 minutes just exploring your thoughts. No pressure, no deadlines, and no self-editing – just you and your ideas getting to know each other better.

Remember, some of the most impactful books started as simple journal entries or scattered notes. Use this quiet season to plant the seeds for your 2025 author journey.

Want more writing templates and exercises to curl up with? If you haven’t seen it, my memoir template can help you jump-start your manuscript. And if you're serious about writing your book in 2025, stay tuned – I’m publishing my own book later this month. It’s all about strategy, writing, marketing, and book funnels for clinician authors. 

Wishing you rest, coziness, and clarity as we wrap up 2024!

-Marie

P.S. Know another clinician who's dreaming of writing a book? Share this newsletter with them – sometimes all it takes is one writing template to get started.