Do You Have a Tom Sawyer Mindset?
In his famous novel Tom Sawyer, the great American author Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) created a scene which illustrated a simple truth: “Work” is what you have to do. “Play” is what you choose to do.
I kind of doubt you’ve ever read Tom Sawyer, so I’ll give you the crux of the biscuit (as Zappa would say).
Young Tom Sawyer gets into trouble and, as punishment, Aunt Polly makes him whitewash the fence on a beautiful Saturday—just when all the other kids are free to play. Naturally, he’s not thrilled. But Tom’s clever. Instead of sulking, he starts painting like it’s the most fun thing in the world. He acts like it’s a rare privilege and takes his sweet time, like a true artist at work.
Pretty soon, the neighborhood boys—who came by to tease and taunt him—are suddenly intrigued. Tom plays it cool and says not just anyone can do such an important job. It has to be done just right. He makes it obvious that there is nothing on earth he would rather be doing. Now they’re begging to try. So much so that they actually pay him—with little trinkets and treasures—for the honor of doing his chore.
By the end of the day, Tom’s lounging with a pile of loot, the fence is fully painted, and he hasn’t lifted a finger beyond the first few strokes. It’s a classic example of turning work into play. It’s funny, smart, a little mischievous—and pure Tom Sawyer.
There’s a lesson here, especially if you’re trying to write a book.
Stop telling yourself this is hard work. Start telling yourself this is meaningful work.
Writing a book takes effort, yes. But it’s also a chance to put your message into the world, to help someone, to leave something behind that matters. If you keep saying, “This is so hard,” it will be. But if you tell yourself, “This is important,” your energy shifts. You’re not just typing—you’re building something real.
You lived to tell it.
Treat your writing time like a privilege.
Tom made painting the fence look like an honor. You might be telling yourself you have to write. What if you flipped it to I get to write? It’s a bold act of contribution. You’re taking your story, your wisdom, your experience—and turning it into something that could change someone’s life. That’s not drudgery. That’s sacred.
Add a little play.
Let it be messy, loose, and yours. Tom turned a boring job into a performance. You can do the same.
Stuck or bored? Reconnect with the excitement you once had for your story. Look through old photographs. Interview someone who brings a new angle. Write a scene like you’re telling it to a friend over coffee. Use a voice memo instead of typing. Sketch your ideas on a notepad. Set a timer and write in sprints.
Your first draft doesn’t have to be neat or proper—it just has to exist. Bad pages can be edited. Blank ones? Not so much.
The story you’re telling yourself while writing is just as important as the story you’re trying to share.
You can choose dread, pressure, and perfectionism. Or you can choose meaning, freedom, and creativity.
Tom Sawyer made fence-painting look like fun. You can do the same with your book.
Are you stuck in “this is too hard”? Maybe it’s time to change the story you’re telling yourself about the writing process.
It’s not drudgery—it’s your fence. And when you show up with curiosity, creativity, and just a little swagger—like Tom—you might be surprised at how the words start to flow.
Every author I know (including myself) has discovered surprising things during the creative journey of writing a book. The insights and ah-ha moments can be transformational—for you, not just your readers.
So borrow a page from Tom Sawyer. Tell yourself a better story. One that carries you all the way to The End.
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