✍️ Flex Your Words: The Muscle of Momentum

By Kellie Nissen
Author Coach & Self-Publication Mentor
Founder of Just Right Words

💪 One word at a time is still a workout

In 2018, the year following my breast cancer treatment, I started weight training with a personal trainer.

I’d been told lifting weights was good for bone density – and since mine was rubbish (thank you, chemo and other associated drugs), I figured it was worth a try.

Geez, it was hard.

Not just the lifting (which was pretty pathetic at the start), but also finding the motivation to keep going when progress felt invisible.

Over time though, progress did come. I may not win powerlifting competitions anytime soon, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

So much so, in fact, that I now have to pay for those bone density scans because I’m above average density now. 🎉

But I digress… this article is about writing, isn’t it?
Well, sort of. I’m using a little literary technique here—analogy.

✨ How is writing like weightlifting?

Writing is just like building physical strength.
The more consistently you write, the stronger your creative muscle becomes.

Momentum isn’t about speed—it’s about regular reps.
Showing up, even on the light days, builds long-term stamina.

Forget perfection. Focus on endurance.

🏋️ 4 Lessons from Weightlifting for Your Writing

#1: You can’t start with heavy lifting

Beginners don’t deadlift 120kg on day one—
and writers shouldn’t expect to churn out thousands of words right away.

✅ Start small. Even 100 words a day can create momentum if you do it regularly.

#2: Consistency builds strength

You don’t improve by showing up once a week.
Regular writing builds creative endurance.

You don’t need hours every day—
but show up most days so your writing muscles stay warm and flexible.

#3: Rest days are important

Momentum doesn’t mean going non-stop.

Just like muscles, your brain needs recovery.
Short breaks—or even a writing-free day—can actually make your writing stronger.

#4: Progress comes in increments

You won’t see instant gains.

Some days the growth is invisible—
but every single session adds strength to your writing muscle.

☕ The Real Momentum

Writing momentum isn’t about heroic word counts or lightning bolts of genius.

It’s about turning up—
even in pyjamas, with your second cup of coffee and a questionable snack.

Your writing muscle won’t judge your outfit…
but it will thank you for showing up.

About the Author

Kellie Nissen is an author coach and publishing mentor, and the author of What Cancer Said and Tales from GoAnna.
She knows what it feels like to not want to add extra weight to the bar—but those days are few and far between now.