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Stuck in the middle? A writer’s compass might help to find direction

…a fresh, friendly guide for navigating creative writing …

MARTINA NICOLLS

May 8

READ IN APP

Instead of staring at a blank page, just start with a word and then two, without overthinking. That’s the advice of most authors. The Writer’s Compass: 50 Tips to Help Navigate Your Storytelling Journey (2025) by Michael Mammarella is also a good guide for beginners.

Organized into ten sections, from mindset to reader engagement, style to story momentum, this guide helps newer writers because it doesn’t get bogged down with abstract theory. It provides readers with concrete tools and bite-sized advice that can be used immediately.

The author covers everything from managing your energy to tackling writer’s block with freewriting, and he even throws in a list of helpful apps for organizing and editing drafts.

The section on overwriting is a standout. It’s not just “don’t do it” – the author shows readersexactly how to trim the fat with side-by-side examples. It’s like watching your prose get a stylish haircut. He also gives a solid tutorial on transforming passive voice into active stories, so that your writing feels tighter, cleaner, and more alive.

Another refreshing part of the book is his candid discussion on balance, such as taking breaks while pushing through the guts of the story when you’ve got the beginning and the end and are stuck in the middle. The advice is realistic, not romanticized. The whole process of writing feels do-able.

The Writer’s Compass isn’t just for beginners. It is also useful for writers lost in the fog of writing. With clear guidance and zero pretension, it is a great confidence booster for anyone looking to start, restart, or refine their writing process. Reading the guide is best done with a coffee, a messy first draft, and a highlighter pen.

*****