Building a routine as a writer is challenging, as there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Each writer’s reasons are different for looking to begin writing, and those reasons can require a different path toward building an effective routine.
Whether you’re writing for reflection and clarity, as a new career, or for creative expression, you can begin building a routine that sets you up for success.
With time and consistency, you can turn your writing routine into part of your daily habits. It’s an effective way to grow as a writer and hone your skills. Here are some tips you can try to become consistent with your writing practice and aspirations.
Find the right time and place
An effective way to build the foundation of a writing routine is to track the hours in which you feel the most creative. Try to develop your routine around other parts of your daily agenda while still managing to harness that creative energy to get the most from each session.
It can also be beneficial to create a dedicated space in your home for writing. A dedicated space can be more comforting when in the early stages of building a routine. As time passes, it will feel like a safe space where you can focus and allow creativity to flow.
Look for a place that inspires creativity and is devoid of distractions. Limiting distractions will help you stay on course toward gaining consistency. The best spaces for creating a writing routine are free from loud and unexpected noises. Finding an area without other electronics, such as TVs and tablets, can also help eliminate the temptation to get sidetracked.
Make writing a habit
Diving headfirst into your writing routine may sound effective on paper, but it can lead to early burnout. Getting burnt out can quickly derail any efforts toward creating an effective routine. Focus more on small efforts paired with consistency to see the progress you seek.
It’s also critical to limit perfectionism. During the early stages of building a writing routine, it’s better to focus on building consistent habits than it is to produce top-quality content. Placing too much emphasis on being perfect can result in frustration, pushing you away from your efforts to build a routine.
The focus on incremental progress will also set you up for success when tackling large writing projects. You’ll be used to a “divide and conquer” writing strategy that focuses on breaking the project into separate chunks.
Another area of emphasis is remaining open to new ideas and approaches. Don’t be afraid to try alternative writing styles. Exploration is the key to finding what works best for you. If you want to take your writing progress to the next level, you owe it to yourself to find who you are and bring out the best of your talents.
Sustain your routine and overcome challenges
Positive reinforcement is a powerful motivator that you can use to build good habits when creating a writing routine. Don’t hesitate to reward yourself for your hard work and consistency. An excellent method for rewarding and motivating employees is to place incremental rewards on a calendar. For each week that you succeed in sticking to the routine, you can give yourself the rewards for your efforts.
One of the most challenging elements of sustaining the routine is finding ways to stay accountable. Consider asking a coworker, close friend, or partner to serve as your accountability buddy to help you stay on the right path. Having that extra push can make building and sustaining a writing routine much simpler for new writers.
You’re also likely to encounter writer’s block at some point during your journey. Consider using a focus ritual to clear the blocks from your mind as you prepare to write. The ritual could be as simple as a short breathing exercise and lighting some candles. Try different ideas until you find something that works well for you.
Most of all, remember why you started writing in the first place. Knowing your “why” serves as a powerful motivator to press forward as you build your skills and confidence. Writers who apply these tips to their approach will put themselves on the fast track toward realizing their potential as writers.