You're in the middle of writing a scene. Everything's flowing. Then suddenly—you stop.

You don't know how your character is going to react to what someone just said. Or you're about to write what you planned to write next, but suddenly it doesn't feel right.

So you stare at the blank page. Then you spot your dirty cereal bowl. Might as well rinse that. Next thing you know, you're doing yard work and you haven't written your scene.

I've been experimenting with a new way to handle these moments, and it's been working really well.

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Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator 

Happy writing! — Mary

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RESOURCES:

Learn my Four Notebooks Method & get your free template:

A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel:

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Hi, I'm Mary!

I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025.

My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!). 

When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV.

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