Writing Routines

Finding time for your writing can be difficult - even on the best of days. A lot of things get in the way of having peaceful, uninterrupted writing time. For one: Friends and family make it difficult and constantly ask for attention, it is especially hard to say no when you like them and equally want to hang out with them. Then you need to meal prep, clean the kitchen, clean the lounge, do the laundry, go grocery shopping... The list is endless.

A lot of people in the writing game recommend Writing Routines - I myself go by a Writing Routine as well.

I will admit, I was against Writing Routines when I first started. I liked the idea of fitting my writing into where-ever it fit during the day. And that worked great until I realised I wasn't fitting it in anymore. I was no longer prioritising it and no longer getting the writing done that I needed to.

There are a lot of Writing Routines that can be followed or adapted. Some writers like to have a strict schedule they follow throughout the day and others prefer a looser, more forgiving routine. I like the latter.

For me, I wake up at the same time every day and make myself a coffee. Once the coffee is brewed, I sit down at my writing desk and take a sip. That is the signal to my brain that it is time to start writing. I then have my list of things I need to get through - once they are all ticked off, my writing day is done.

Now, it's very important that you keep these goals for the day realistic. If you write a goal down as 'write a book' you won't know when that goal is achieved for the day. When you don't know when to finish up for the day, you'll have to stop eventually and you'll be left unsatisfied. Or, even worse, you'll feel unmotivated and give up two words in.

Make sure goals are specific and achievable. 'Write 1,000 words.' 'Create home page on website.' 'Draft email.'

When goals are specific and achievable, you know when to tick them off and move on to the next thing. This leaves you with a feeling of a job well done and motivation to complete the next thing - making you more productive throughout the day.

Having the same routine each time I sit down to write - brew the coffee, sip the coffee at the writing desk - sends signals to your brain that it is time to get into gear. It's similar with a night time routine, when you do the same things in the same order each night, it sends signals to your brain that it is time to sleep and by the time you hit the pillow, you're already in a deep sleep.

What is your writing ritual? What habits do you have to get yourself into the writing mood?