by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes @khutch0767

As a mom of three talented athletes, I’ve spent countless hours cheering from the sidelines of track meets. Each of my children had their specialty—one a sprinter, one a long-distance runner, and one who did a bit of everything. Watching them compete was exhilarating, but over the years, I discovered something more powerful than the thrill of race day. The athletes who excelled most weren’t just made during the season—they were shaped in the off-season.

It was during those quiet, often overlooked months that the real work took place. While some rested, others watched their nutrition, pushed through off-season training, and kept their eyes on the future. No spotlight. No medals. Just grit, discipline, and vision.

I’ve seen the same pattern in my writing life.

By God’s grace, I’ve experienced some wonderful wins lately. I signed with an incredible literary agent from a highly respected agency. I released my first thriller. I started a small publishing company and currently work as an editor for several established literary agencies and publishers. I even host a podcast that allows me to spotlight amazing voices in the writing community.

But people often only see the highlights. They don’t see the off-season.

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”#Writing #BRMCWC #Writinglife”]The Struggles in the Off-Season of Writing by @khutch0767 on @BRMCWC[/tweet_box]

They don’t see the late nights where I stare at my manuscript, knowing I need to cut 7,000 words but not having the courage to cut even one. They don’t see the deadline overload, where the to-do list grows and the energy runs dry. They don’t see the rejection pile, which—if I’m honest—often feels taller than the acceptance one. They don’t see the characters in my current novels who are stuck in corners I wrote them into, but can’t yet rescue them from.

Like an athlete struggling to stay in shape when there’s no competition on the calendar, I’ve found myself battling for focus and momentum.

But here’s what I’ve learned: God is still present in the off-season.

Luke 1:37 reminds us, “Nothing will be impossible with God.” Jesus came to give us life—abundant life—even when we’re editing, reworking, waiting, or wondering. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us God has plans to prosper us, not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. That includes the messy middle and the silent seasons of our creative calling.

So, how do we keep moving forward when it’s tough?

Here’s what’s helped me most:

1. Give yourself grace. Progress isn’t always loud or linear.
2. Be generous with others. Celebrate fellow writers, offer feedback, and share encouragement.
3. Stay thankful. Gratitude shifts the atmosphere of your heart.
4. Remain consistent in your walk with God. Stay in His Word, keep praying, and don’t forsake community.

The off-season might not come with trophies or accolades, but it’s where transformation happens. It’s where endurance is built, character is refined, and purpose is deepened. And when the next “race day” comes, you’ll be ready—not just to run, but to run well.

Author, speaker, educational consultant, and editor–Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed. D. has had her hand in leadership for many years. She loves speaking to groups and delivering messages with a quick wit and real-life stories. Katherine is a freelance writer/content editor, a content editor/writing coach for Iron Stream Media, and a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines. She is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). She was a finalist in the Genesis Contest ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers/Romantic Suspense 2022). She is a finalist for the Claymore Award 2022 (Thriller Division) for the best-unpublished manuscript. She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the board of the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 and is an art instructor and virtual exhibition specialist for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine is the host of the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel and prequel to her first general market thriller novel, “A Fifth of the Story.”