Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, bsc

October sneaks up on us like a deadline we forgot we had. One moment you’re soaking up late-summer sun, the next you’re knee-deep in school schedules, pumpkin patches, costume hunts, and — oh right — that manuscript you promised yourself you’d finish.

Fall is gorgeous, yes, but let’s be honest: it’s also chaos.

For indie authors, October is both a dream (cozy writing weather, moody inspiration) and a juggling act (family commitments, seasonal distractions, and the constant whisper of “you should be writing”).

So how do we survive the fall hustle without burning out — or ghosting our own stories?

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The Reality of Autumn Multitasking

Here’s the thing: October doesn’t politely ask if you’d like more on your plate. It piles it high. School drop-offs. Soccer practice. Parent-teacher meetings. Halloween prep. Add in your author deadlines, and suddenly your planner looks like a horror story all its own.

The truth? You can’t do it all. Not perfectly, anyway. But you can find rhythms that let your writing breathe even when life feels like a pumpkin-spiced avalanche.

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Embracing the Season Instead of Fighting It

One mistake I used to make: treating autumn like an obstacle. Every interruption felt like an enemy of my words. But the moment I started weaving the season into my writing life, things shifted.

Pumpkin carving became character inspiration (what would my protagonist carve, and why?). School events gave me dialogue snippets for side characters. Even the chaos had a rhythm — one I could tap into rather than resist.

Instead of fighting October, I let it become a co-writer. And honestly? My drafts got better for it.

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Practical Author Hacks for the Fall Hustle

Because let’s face it: cozy vibes are lovely, but we need strategies too. Here are the ones that actually saved my October sanity:

• Write in micro-moments. Ten minutes while the cookies bake? That’s 200 words.
• Seasonal bribes. Light that pumpkin candle, pour the cider, and tell yourself: “One page, then snacks.”
• Merge worlds. Family movie night? Take notes on pacing and dialogue while everyone laughs at Hocus Pocus.
• Drop perfection. Your writing doesn’t have to look like a golden autumn Pinterest board. It just has to exist.

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The Emotional Side of the Hustle

October hustle isn’t only physical. It’s emotional. The season carries nostalgia, endings (summer, long days), and beginnings (school, routines). It’s a swirl of energy that can feel overwhelming.

As authors, we’re lucky — we can channel that swirl into stories. Instead of stressing over what you’re not writing, look for what the season is giving you: mood, metaphor, texture. It’s all material.

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Closing Thoughts

Balancing pumpkins and pages isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing enough. Enough words to keep your story moving. Enough seasonal moments to feel alive inside your own life.

The fall hustle will come whether you like it or not. The trick is to let it feed your creativity instead of starving it.

So carve your pumpkin, write your page, and remember: both count as art.