How to Establish Good Writing Habits

not-so-classicallytrainedwriter:

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First off, writing habits cannot be established over night. It’s a matter of knowing yourself, your schedule, and what is realistically achievable for you. For me, it’s been a lot of trial and error, and I’ll go through the things I’ve tried, even if they don’t work for me, they could perhaps work for you. Here’s what I’ve got: 

  • Write 2000 words a week: Nanowrimo has taught me that I can write 2000 words a day, and I can do that. This was a tip that I’ve heard from a number of writer friends. The truth, it doesn’t work for me, if you are a somewhat sporadic writer, then you will likely struggle with this too. While I do write every day, I might write six words one day and 1,000 the next, overall, aiming for 2,000 a week, while it might work for some people, it wasn’t a habit I could stick to. 
  • Write every day. This is something I believe in. I keep this blog. I keep a writing journal where I jot down thoughts for characters, plots, stories, so long as you’re writing something even if it’s not exactly your novel, you’re not going to fall out of the practice of writing. But then again, I know it’s not for everyone. 
  • Find a writing group. This isn’t for everyone. Writers, of all artists, are an especially skittish folk. But if you can work up the nerve to go out an meet other writers, it’s worth it. Connect with them through Nanowrimo, through your local university, through writing classes, etc.  Not everyone will write the kinds of things you do. Most people will write things you would not preferably write about. Get over that. They too are writers. Meet them to build community. This is a great way to talk out ideas, to go on mini writing retreats, swap work - really, there is no downside. Writing is so solitary and your art will always be your art, but having a community around you makes you want to do more of it. Write more. Read more. Writing is something you’re talking about often, it’s on your mind.  You might even make a few friends in the process. Definitely try this. 
  • Set writing goals. Say that you want to finish scene A by next Tuesday. That’s a goal. This is something that only works for me if I feel the heat. I have to tell someone about this made up deadline so that it becomes real. It works. But only if the deadline is real. 
  • Write in a coffee shop. This is a weird tip, but oddly I get a lot done in places like this. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I went alone to a coffee shop and hid behind my computer. Maybe it’s because I had nothing else to do. Maybe it’s because the café didn’t have internet. Who knows, but it works. 
  • Writing sprints. I love these. I didn’t know anything about this until recently, but it was a tip I picked up from a friend, who I guess saw it on Nanowrimo, but it works wonders. Write for 15 minutes at a time. Set a timer so you’re not watching the clock. Don’t write outside that 15 minutes. Before that you’re thinking so when the 15 minutes starts you are exploding like a bottle rocket with creativity so you go super fast and then you just keep going and going and going until the end of the 15 minutes. Then, stop. Even if you have more to say. Just stop. Save it for the next 15 minute sprint. 
  • Writing tipsy. It doesn’t work for me. I might be too much of a lightweight because even one drink in, I struggle with typing. But it works for some people, so it makes the list! (Don’t make this an every day habit though, I do advise heavily against that). This is something I would say is probably best to do in a moment when you need creativity, but then again, how many authors have become alcoholics? Don’t do this daily. Please. 
  • Write with a partner. This doesn’t work for everyone but it works really well for me. The key to this is to just have fun with it. Find someone who is looking to write the same kind of story as you are. Similar tone is ideal. You don’t need to be at the same strength or the same level of anything. When you’re writing together, it’s a first draft. Remember that. First drafts are ugly. Don’t try to edit the other person’s work to death until after it’s all been written and don’t target them either. It is a combination effort, so it should represent both of you. 
  • Writing in the same place every day. Yeah… this one is a must for some people but I need a change of scenery. But the idea is that it is nice to write at your own desk in the environment that you find most ideal. Yeah, not for me, but it’s on the list!
  • Write to music. This tip is good for maintaining a mood in your writing, but otherwise can be distracting for some writers. It’s up to you. I like it at times, but it’s not something I can’t live without. 

So, these tips are things I either do or I’ve tried and completely failed at, but generally they are a good way to get into habits or spur creativity at a needed hour. These are things to try if they appeal to you. I’m always willing to try any kind of writing tip at least once. If it’s a flop for me, it might not be for you. Anyway, happy writing!

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