Author EB White said, “A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.” If you keep waiting for inspiration, or to write only once you have the perfect writing set-up, you’ll never get around to doing any actual writing.
Writing is like any skill; the more you do it, the better you get. Even the best sportspeople train every day, forcing their muscles to flex in a way that will improve their skills, even when they don’t feel like it.
The same is true for writing. By developing a daily writing habit, you train your mind to engage in exercises of language and creativity, even when you don’t feel especially creative. The more you do it, the better you get at it. And you will see other benefits, too, like improved mental health.
Don’t wait around for that lightning bolt of inspiration to strike or the creativite muse to descend with the perfect words for your opening chapter. Instead, use these five simple tips to create a daily writing habit!
1. Set aside a writing spot
Having a dedicated writing spot you enjoy will make it easier to start a daily writing habit. Intention and the ability to focus are what matter most when looking for the ideal writing space. It’s not important where you choose to write, as long as you know the setting will be conducive to your productivity.
For some people, this means sitting at a desk in a private office. Others are more productive while typing away on the sofa, or prefer to work in a coffee shop, library, or park. The important thing is to aim to write in the same spot every day. By doing this, you will associate your creative process with that space.
You can also find small ways to make your writing spot more appealing, so you look forward to spending time there. Pin inspirational quotes to the wall, keep a favourite plant nearby, or (if you’re in a public place) carry a lucky charm with you to set down next to your notebook or laptop while you write.
(Like any rule, there are exceptions. Someone who works alone in their office every day may benefit now and then by people-watching in a park or taking a trip. But these are exceptions, not part of your daily writing habit.)
2. Write at the same time
Ritual is an important part of creativity. Just like you should aim to write in the same spot every day, you should also try to write at the same time. Put this into practice as part of your daily writing habit and you will find you can engage your skills much faster every day.
Every writer feels inspired at a different time of the day. However, unless you know you are a night owl, a morning daily writing habit tends to work best. Our creativity and brainpower diminish as the day wears on and we get distracted by other tasks and responsibilities. Writing first thing in the morning means you can complete your writing quota while your brain is still fresh.
It’s important to remember that sitting down in the same spot at the same time every day doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be actively writing. A daily writing habit consists of many things. Some days you’ll write, while others you might sit and think, research or outline your story, or edit your book.
3. Set small goals
Every writer has unique goals. Stephen King won’t stop working for the day until he’s written 2,000 words. James Joyce, on the other hand, could be content with a day’s work of two perfect sentences. The goal you decide to set for your daily writing habit depends entirely on your temperament, schedule, and the type of book you’re writing.
Nonetheless, goals keep us focused, motivated, and provide an end-point with which we can feel satisfied with our efforts.
When you’re in the beginning stages of forming a daily writing habit, it’s important to start small. Set an achievable goal and alter it as you build up your writing stamina. Your goal could be to hit a certain word count every day (say, 250 words) or to write for a specific amount of time (an hour, for example).
4. Eliminate distractions
You need to treat your daily writing habit as sacred by eliminating as many distractions as possible. For those who have kids or live with other people, this can prove tricky. Be upfront and explain why it’s so important to avoid distractions and interruptions during your dedicated writing time.
You also need to hold yourself to the same strict standards. Yes, this means putting your phone in another room, if only to avoid the temptation to browse social media or check your text messages.
If you can, take this one step further and turn off the Wi-Fi on your computer. If you need to use the internet for research, consider installing a focus app, like Freedom. Focus apps allow you to block sites you want to avoid while still permitting you access to those you need for research and writing support. Some even offer the option to schedule your focus time—which is perfect for a daily writing habit!
5. Do daily warm-ups
For some writers, jumping straight into writing every day is the equivalent of leaping into a freezing swimming pool. Whether you’re outlining believable characters, brainstorming new scenes, or editing your fiction or non-fiction book, warm-up exercises can help you get in the right mindset for the day.
Play your favourite song or imagine the sights, sounds, and smells of a scene to get yourself into your character’s mindset. Spend a few minutes reading a book or author quotes to feel inspired. Or write in a journal or complete a writing prompt to get your creative juices flowing.
(Check out r/WritingPrompts on Reddit for daily prompts, or choose from hundreds of online writing prompts here.)
Don’t do it alone!
While these five simple steps are helpful, it’s useful to know you don’t have to go about establishing a daily writing habit alone. Twitter has a variety of writing communities dedicated to helping authors find their own rhythm. Look up hashtags like #5amwritersclub or #WritersCafe to find like-minded people who can help you achieve this goal.
Or reach out to us here at The Open Book Editor. We’ve worked with writers from all over the world. And we’re authors, too, so we have even more tips and tricks to share with you to help you optimise your writing time.
