Develop a good writing habit. Write every day, or every second day, or every week, whenever works for you. Write for 15 minutes, for 2 hours, until you reach 1,500 words, until you meet your writing goal for that session.Above all, just write!
Do it regularly, over and over, until it becomes a habit.
How about you: What are your writing habits?
26 comments:
Writing every day -- yes. I also have some monthly targets concerning word counts, subs, poetry etc. that I try to stick to.
I also had a lucky hat that I used to wear, for a laugh, when I felt I needed it. But I've lost it, which could explain my recent succes rate.
My biggest problem at the moment is that I'm busily writing from A to Z instead of getting on with my children's book. Arghh! The only answer to this is to whizz through the alphabet as fast as I can and hope I'm not drummed out of Blogger Land. :0)
I don't have a writing habit. I just write when I feel like it. Which is usually every day anyway ;o)
Jessica @ The Alliterative Allomporph
Unfortunately with a full time job and kids I don't tend to have a habit. I write when I can and have had to tell myself that I'm not in a race to finish my novel, but I am absolutely determined to complete it.
I write on weekends and Mondays, and rarely during the week. I have to be in the proper mindset to write, and it takes a block of time. So during the week, I beta, blog, etc., and I save my serious writing for my off days!
Excellent tips, Rachael. My habits fluctuate based on the time of year. During the school year, I try to get up early to write. During the summer, I block out afternoons. And sometimes those plans fail. But I persist in scheduling the time.
Great post!
Great tips. I really need to get back in the habit of writing. I try to find time here and there, but something seems to come up, but I must make time. Starting today. :)
For two hours every night, I sit down and do something. Usually writing. If not writing then plotting, brainstorming, researching or otherwise generating story notes.
It's hard to explain just how useful the habit is, if people don't know what it's like. The habit has an inertia of its own, and can get you through tricky patches.
I'm guilty of not writing every day. But I write a lot when I do.
I am loving this post! I try to write at least a couple hundred words a day...that way even if I am super busy and can't get some major scribbling done, I can at least punch in something for the day!
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Great advice! I once heard another writer say if you write two sentences a day by the end of the week you'd have 14 new sentences. So, I tried it and ended up writing for hours each time. I played this mind game for a long time till it became a habit. Now, my problem is taking time out from the writing to do other things...like sleep! LOL!
Some days I'm on point and (provided my crazy toddler takes her nap) I can pump out 2,000+ words no problem. Other days....not so much. Right now I'm revising and trying desperately to give myself reading time as a reward. So I'm writing less. But I always feel guilty when that happens and need to ramp it up the following week. I'm hard on myself.
I love your blog. A follower
Jeanmarie, 2000+ words is pretty darn impressive! Especially while raising a toddler. My writer's hat is off to you! And rewarding yourself is also something I do whether it's taking time out to read a book, or going to my fave thrift store and treating myself to something vintage and fun. So, no need to feel guilty. Even when I'm not physically writing, I am always in writer's mind! Then when you get back to the actual writing, it only gets better! All the best with your writing! :-)
You're absolutely right, Rebecca. It's not a race. My current novel has taken 9 years, mostly revisions since this novel was my learning ground. I'm in the final revison... I think. :-)
Great advice. Found you via the A-Z Challenge. Hope you'll drop by when you have a free moment (like any of us do!)
I write everyday, Monday through Friday. My weekends are family time, though I often sneak a couple minutes of stolen time for a sentence or two.
I didn't feel comfortable labeling myself a 'writer' until I developed a daily writing practice!
9 nines. That's impressive. It gives me hope. So many want it done and out the door so quickly but you have to have the time and then make sure it's right. I'd hope to have finished the first draft this year but do allow myself the knowledge that it's ok if it's not coming along at the pace I may have wanted.
Wishing you so much luck with yours. I look forward to reading your journey n
Great post! Couldn't be more essential advice for aspiring writers. Habits are crucial to consistency, to creativity, and above all else, productivity.
Nice blog!
Over the years, I always made the same New Year's resolution: diet, lose weight, exercise,,, but I never did them.
On 12/31/09, I resolved to write every day. At first I was unfocused, but now...well, it was the best resolution. I write on a schedule every day.
Over time I learned that Saturday thru Monday works best for writing. I write in blocks of 20 minutes to an hour. Take breaks and write more.
A-Z has messed me up a little but I've scheduled the posts and check blogs during breaks.
I tend to do everything in chunks. It may be the ADHD.
I avoid habits all costs. But I grow fangs if I don't write something every day lol.
I do write every day, but not always on a w-i-p. But I do write scenes in my head every day--a delicious exercise for me. Does that count?
Rach- great writing tips thus far. I try to write every day. If I go more than two I start to suffer signs of withdrawal! I tend to get stuck at D, though- Dialogue can be very tricky for me. Especially if I haven't Engaged my Characters! I'm working on it. ;)
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I never quite managed this one. I think I'm just an intermittent sort...
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