Writing as a creative activity requires certain conditions and rituals differing from one writer to another which makes exercising it in a regular way a hard thing for many writers regardless of how talented they are.
On a normal basis, all writers go through writer's block, a hard condition when a writer can't produce and write a single word, and one of the causes leading to writer's block is depending on inspiration only and not maintaining a proper writing routine.
When talking about a writing routine, the talk is not only about rituals and making favorable conditions for writing only, the talk is simply about making writing a daily activity, a habit, a commitment you take to write in a regular way no matter what are the internal and external conditions. Having a writing routine is a key success to keep up with deadlines, commitments, and writing project(s), especially if you are yet to write full time.
Starting a writing routine is to help you fit your writing around your lifestyle, which will allow you to always dedicate a part of your time for writing regardless of all your other commitments in a very organized and flexible way. Your writing routine must be individual and personnel, customized to fit right into your lifestyle.
While maintaining a proper writing routine, writing will no more be a hobby but an engagement, a part of your lifestyle, a job as well, and the more you stuck on your routine the more you'll practice, and eventually, your writing skills will get only better, your writing voice will be developed and you'll be steadily working on your crafts. It is your gate to become a productive, prolific writer and later achieve your goals.
So how can you establish a solid, flexible and successful writing routine?
Well, there is no magical formula and you are the only one able to give the right answer. And here are some tips that can help you set your writing routine :
Set goals and establish your routine around them: it is much easier to establish a writing routine based on the specific goals you want the writing routine to help you achieve. Your goals can be based on a measure of time, word count, or some other metric, use whatever works best for you to set your goals.
Adopt a "making time, not finding time" mindset: As Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu put it: Time is a created thing. To say "I don’t have time" is like saying "I don’t want to” and you need to consider how dedicated you are to writing, how much effort and commitment you are willing to put to reach your goals as a writer. And there is no better way than making writing on the list of your priorities.
Determine your most creative/productive time of day: knowing at what time you are more creative and productive is a necessary element to take into consideration while setting a writing routine.
Create a dedicated writing space: it's very helpful to dedicate a place for writing only, a place that keeps you away from the internal and external distractions. It’s possible to train your brain to be ready to write as soon as you enter your writing space and complete your rituals.
Try different writing methods to determine which works best: as sitting down and writing solidly a specific number of words or during a time limit is not easy for everyone, there are many methods that can help writing and bring out inspiration as writing prompts, morning pages, word sprints, The Pomodoro technique,...etc.
Set your writing commitment in stone: making a written or verbal commitment can help you follow your routine and stick things out. Write down your routine and goals and put them somewhere you can see them regularly, evaluate and track the progress you make very often.
Whatever your routine is, STICK TO IT: and this is the most important point yet the hardest. It is all about discipline and respecting your routine for this is what would lead you to achieve your goals and reach your dreams as a writer.
Of course, there are many other tips that can help establish a successful writing routine, let us know in the comments section if you have any other tips.
As well we are curious to know what is your writing routine if you have one, if you don't then what are you waiting for, establish yours and let the ink always bleed.
Hope you enjoyed this article.
Don't forget to share it with your fellow writers.
Much love,
Samah Najmi