Repotting plants this morning has me thinking about the work of crafting a story. Two were propagated, and two were replanted. That means new stories were created through tiny green succulent leaves, while others started a new chapter, in a new home, rising slowly from a drastic cliffhanger.

One has root rot, so I had to take special care to cut off the dead roots without damaging the structure. It reminded me of combing through something I wrote early in the morning, and finding parts to fix. Brushing off old soil is like cleaning and tightening up the story.

When you move a plant to new soil, you’re creating a new space for growth. Roots need room to breathe, nutrients to feed on, and a rosy foundation that supports them through seasons.

Writing (and editing) is the same. A narrative might already exist. However, to truly bring impact, it often needs fresh soil. Structure, clarity, and a stronger frame to hold the weight of ideas are what usually make a story pop.

Sometimes that means trimming back; other times, it means adding in what was missing. Both require patience, strength, and resilience to grow.