Why Time to Write Feels Like a Snow Day for Writers

From Edie: Uninterrupted time to write is rare for most writers. Discover why a day to write feels like a snow day—and how to make the most of it.

Why Time to Write Feels Like a Snow Day for Writers

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Snow days are on my mind right now.

I live in the deep South, and we haven’t had a good snow in several years. This year, though, winter decided to make up for lost time. One weekend we had an ice storm—with everything shut down. The very next weekend we had seven inches of snow—with everything shut down again.

Around here, that’s practically unheard of.

When it comes to snow days, I’m just a kid at heart. All I want to do is get outside, play in the snow, and—because I’m a photographer—take tons of pictures. I love the quiet that comes with snow, the way it transforms everything familiar into something new.

But as I enjoyed the unusual winter weather, I couldn’t help but notice how much a snow day feels like something writers long for just as much—a full, uninterrupted day to write.

Before I go any further, let me explain the life of this writer.

For me, writing is my business. Beyond writing projects, I also coach writers, speak at events, blog regularly, and help manage one of the largest Christian writers conferences in the nation (The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference). My workdays are usually divided into carefully planned blocks of time so I can keep all the plates spinning.

That means a day with nothing else on the schedule—no meetings, no deadlines pressing from other directions, no interruptions—is incredibly rare.

For me, a full day to write feels exactly like a snow day in the deep South.

7 Ways Time to Write Is Like a Snow Day

1. Anticipation Is Half the Fun

Before a snow day ever arrives, there’s the anticipation.

We check forecasts obsessively. Conversations revolve around if and when it will happen. Will schools close? Will roads be passable? Do we need bread and milk?

The same thing happens when writers see a clear writing day approaching.

We start thinking about what we’ll work on. We imagine how much we’ll get done. We mentally rehearse the opening lines we’ll finally write or the chapter we will finally finish. That anticipation fuels motivation and hope.

But just like snow days, the anticipation can sometimes be better than the reality—if we’re not careful.

2. We Start Strong, But We Have to Pace Ourselves

When the snow finally falls, most people burst out the door with enthusiasm. We build snowmen, take pictures (maybe that’s only me LOL), throw snowballs, and stay outside until our fingers go numb.

Writing days often start the same way.

We sit down determined to make the most of every minute. We type fast and push hard. And we tell ourselves this is finally the time we’ve been waiting for to make serious progress. 

But snow days teach us something important—if we don’t pace ourselves, we’ll wear out too quickly.

Writing for long stretches requires stamina. Our creativity needs room to breathe. Breaks aren’t a failure, instead they’re part of the rhythm. Sometimes stepping away from the keyboard for a few minutes is exactly what allows our minds to keep working beneath the surface.

3. There’s a Unique Kind of Quiet

Snow changes the sound of the world.

Cars disappear. Footsteps are muffled. Even the air feels softer. There’s a hush that settles over everything.

A dedicated writing day carries that same kind of quiet.

Emails pause. Notifications stop demanding attention. Conversations fade into the background. That silence creates space—not just to write words, but to listen. To think. To notice what’s been buried beneath the noise of everyday responsibilities.

For writers, that quiet can be sacred ground.

4. Expectations Need to Be Adjusted

Snow days rarely go exactly as planned.

Sometimes the snow is heavier than expected. Sometimes it melts too quickly. Sometimes the roads are icy and unsafe even though the sky looks clear.

Writing days are similar.

We might expect to finish a chapter and only manage to draft a few pages. We might think we’ll write new material and end up revising instead. We have to remember how valuable the day still is. Putting aside our expectations and letting the words flow—whatever that looks like—is still a gift. The work still counts, even when it doesn’t go the way we anticipated.

A snow day isn’t wasted just because we didn’t do everything we imagined. A writing day isn’t wasted simply because progress looks different than expected.

5. Preparation Makes a Difference

Southerners know this well—when snow might come, preparation matters.

We charge devices, gather supplies, and make sure everything we need is within reach.

Writing days benefit from the same kind of preparation.

Before our “snow day” of writing arrives, it’s important to ask ourselves these questions:

• Do I know what project I’m working on?
• Have I gathered my research?
• Have I cleared unnecessary distractions?

Preparation doesn’t stifle creativity. Taking time to be ready allows our creativity to take center stage and flow uninterrupted. 

6. We Remember How Rare and Special It Is

Snow days in the South aren’t frequent enough to take for granted. We remember them. We talk about them years later.

Dedicated writing days are just as rare for most writers.

That rarity makes them precious.

Instead of putting pressure on ourselves to produce something extraordinary, we need to remember to simply be grateful for the time. Gratitude changes how we approach the work. It shifts us from anxiety to stewardship.

7. Eventually, It Ends

Every snow day ends.

The sun comes out. Roads clear. Life returns to normal.

Writing days do too.

When they’re over, it can be tempting to feel disappointed or discouraged. But snow days don’t replace everyday life—they remind us about what’s possible. Writing days don’t replace daily disciplines, instead they renew our love for the work and carry us forward into regular routines.

What Snow Days Teach Writers

Snow days remind us that some gifts are unexpected. They interrupt normal rhythms and invite us to slow down, pay attention, and enjoy what we’ve been given.

Time to write—real, uninterrupted time—is like that.

We may not get many full writing “snow days,” but even short stretches of focused time can carry the same magic when we approach them with intention.

And maybe the real lesson is that instead of waiting for perfect conditions, we learn to recognize and receive the moments God gives us—whether they’re hours, minutes, or stolen pockets of quiet.

Because just like snow in the South, time to write is rare, beautiful, and worth savoring.

Now it’s your turn. How do you approach a full day away to write? And have you had any fun snow days lately? Take time to share in the comments section below. 

Don’t forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

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Why Time to Write Feels Like a Snow Day for Writers from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Edie uses the truths God has taught her as an author, photographer, and blogger to encourage others. She’s learned to embrace the ultimate contradiction of being an organized creative. As a sought-after speaker, she’s empowered and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others call on God’s strength during challenging times, often using creativity to empower this connection. She also knows the necessity of Soul Care and leads retreats, conferences, and workshops on ways to use creativity to help strengthen our connection with God. 

She and husband Kirk have been married 44+ years with three grown sons and four grandchildren. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found with their big black dog hiking the mountains.