#Writing Routine

[authorsharonforester]

Sticking To A Writing Routine

​Welcome. Today, I will show you how hard it is to stay on track with writing and the ways to overcome it. Here at home, I will currently express that I haven't written in a long time. 

The trouble with that is that I really want to, and despite that, I am not writing. I have a hard time sticking to writing a little bit every day because I am worried about how I will finish my work and the work it takes to do my writing and then edit it.

People have different reasons why they procrastinate writing. For all of us, it doesn't mean we enjoy writing. We are just afraid of failure in some way. For example, for me it is the process of editing and how much work it is going to take. My brain tells me that I will never finish the editing process because it takes so much time. I want to do things that will take very little time.

The story I am working on is about an alien that joins his people's plans on wanting to invade planet Earth, but the alien doesn't want to partake in this mission, and meanwhile on Earth, a girl and her friend are desperate to meet a live alien. This is a novel that took me three years to write when I was a little girl. I have written the entire thing on paper and now I need to type it on the computer.

It is important to keep yourself accountable for getting the work done. I am on camera because I want to show you that it is possible to come and stay on track in the writing process if you really let yourself do this. There are different ways to hold you accountable. You just gotta pick the types that work for you because everyone is different.

-Make a schedule and stick to it -Make a goal and stick to it -Make a checklist and work on it for a duration of time -Make a sign in, sign out sheet -Set a goal for the day -Get someone else to keep you accountable -Dedicate a day for your tasks

What works for every single person is different, so it is important you find what works for you, whether it is something from this list or something you come up with on your own. What works for me is this (when I am disciplined): Setting a goal and using a day to accomplish it. ​ Let me tell you how I found this. I was roaming through YouTube one day when I found an interview with Stephen King on there. I clicked on it because the title said he was talking about how he was making books so fast. He went into the conversation to mention that he sets the goal of writing SIX PAGES a day and then having the entire day to accomplish this. He also mentions that when he is being overcome with obstacles in writing, then he will use that time to take breaks, and what he does in those breaks is either eat a meal, shop at the door for things he needs or do a chore. He uses his breaks to do something he needs to get some practice in his personal life instead of being distracted by the phone and TV, which is really important to getting anything done. It is like being at school at home. Sometimes it makes it easier to think of it as an assignment he needs to get done. All these little things work as a motivator for him while he is working. Then he will start over the next day until he reaches his day(s) off.

This was inspiring to me because everyone else always came up with ideas that didn't work for me, such as the list above. For me, working under a time limit didn't work because I didn't know what to expect to come in randomly in my life. Others are able to work under pressure… It all depends on who you are and that you pick what works for you. As long as you pick something that is realistic to you, then you are on your way.

The last thing that you need to remember is that you need to start with small goals and just write! before you set yourself up with bigger goals and worry about editing, or else you will never get anything done because you are overwhelming yourself. We will overthink everything and then end up messing up our own stories.

[northernthiefcranberry]

finding a suitable playlist for your text means writing with all possible inspiration, then starting to sing along, and then hanging out for a few minutes, shaking your head, only to then curse yourself and go on to finish writing.

and if this is not the case, then it’s the wrong playlist at all.

[byoldervine]

What's your routine when it comes to writing?

I’m literally just writing everything I can think of because I don’t know if I have a routine exactly but hopefully something here answers your question

My writing goal is 1K words per week, and I’ve been able to keep up with this since the start of this year. It’s not much, but it gives me a minimum amount of consistent progress without burning me out, which is incredibly helpful

I work Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so I get most of my writing done outside of that, and then Mondays are usually busy for me so it’s up in the air how much writing I’ll get done that day. For the last few weeks I’ll write a little on Monday, then get the bulk of it done on Thursday and/or Saturday, which leaves Sunday free

I can’t have too many background distractions or I’ll zero in on that even if I’m not interested in it, but I find I work best with quiet background noise of some variety to ensure I’m not understimulated. My favourites tend to be a writing sprint video I love and custom soundpads I’ve made on TableTop Audio, which allows you to easily create soundscapes for whatever setting it is you’re writing about

I like writing on my laptop more than anything, with one tab being my writing and another being my notes. Any tabs that aren’t related to my writing need to be closed or they get too tempting. I cannot use my phone to research in this time or I will definitely get distracted

I work from two locations; in my bed or in the living room set up on the recliner. Both locations involve open curtains and blinds for natural light and a blanket over my lap while I write. I even have a dedicated writing blanket which has largely been taken over by my dogs, who will snuggle up whenever I get it out. I have to frequently stop them from laying their heads on my keyboard and creating shortcuts

If it’s a good motivation day or I’m at a point where I need to write a lot today or I won’t meet my deadlines, I’ll put on the writing sprint video and work within those parameters; 25 minutes writing, 5 minutes taking a break, repeat three more times. This is what got me through NaNoWriMo

Otherwise, I’ll turn on my soundscapes and tell myself I’ll just write for ten minutes and then I can stop if I want to. After ten minutes my brain wants to at least finish the part it’s on, and then I question if I want to keep going. Usually the answer is yes, so I’ll keep going. If I get to a point where my interest is starting to wane, I’ll tell myself to give it another ten minutes, and if I’m still disinterested I quit for the time being

After I’ve finished my weekly goal, I always try to reward myself with a snack or something fun. Lately the desired treat has been chocolate chip muffins

Once I’ve hit the goal and am no longer writing, I tend not to pick it up again until the next week because my brain thinks ‘well anything I write now won’t count to my immediate goals, so why bother?’ even though logically it’ll mean less of these sessions in the future. I do usually get at least 1100 words each week though, and I’d say my average is around 1200-1500, so I’m not too worried about that. I don’t mind so much if this all takes me a long time, it’s all for fun anyway

[justasmalltownshrimp]

What's everyone's favorite drink for a nice night of writing?

I really like having a warm drink while writing at night. I think my favorite would be a mocha latte with pigeon milk instead of whole milk, to get some extra protein

[writingwithfolklore]

Do you recommend any specific routine for writing?

Hi~

There's not really a one-size-fits-all for writing routines, the best routine is gonna look different for everyone. I would suggest first figuring out when you can focus or write the best. I'm best in the morning with a cup of tea beside me, but you may prefer writing at night, or on your lunch break, etc.

Next, figure out what days of the week you'll be able to write in that time. I can wake up early before my morning classes, but if a class runs late the night before I don't get to bed in time for that, so that forms my schedule. Whatever days you have, specifically aside those days and times for writing.

Routine is all about sticking to what works best for you. It will fail a million times if you keep trying to write when it's more difficult--figure out your schedule and build writing into it.

Good luck!

[thesagekissoftime]

I have been watching this video on repeat since it came out; it gives me life in ways I cannot explain.

[swampfoxe]

My daily writing routine:

1) Stay in a dark room all day to amplify my budding seasonal affective disorder. This helps keep me in character.

2) Eat nothing but nutella sandwiches and drink a minimal amount of water. This provides me with a roller coaster of sugar highs and crashes, giving me the energy I need to be productive.

3) After 4 hours of writing, nap the rest of the day while Ally McBeal plays forever in the background.

Total word count for the day: 333

[canmore-elblood]

Check out this post to read more 👇

[studiousdoops]

just learned about @neil-gaiman's writing routine (first drafts in a journal with a fountain pen, set time between 1-6pm and just write without distractions, allowing oneself to do nothing) and I actually really want to try it out. I feel like it'd be good for me to force myself into literally putting pen to paper since many of my favorite short blurbs I've written were because I took my time to write them down instead of typing them up... looks like I'll be buying a new journal tomorrow!

[writerystuff]

ONE WRITER'S DAILY ROUTINE

"Here's how it goes: I'm up at the stroke of 10 or 10:30. I have breakfast and read the papers, and then it's lunchtime. Then maybe a little nap after lunch and out to the gym, and before I know it, it's time to have a drink."

– E.L. Doctorow

[northernthiefcranberry]

is it normal to consider yourself an aspiring writer when you've been writing fan fiction for over a decade but now want to try writing your own novel?

this fucking impostor syndrome will never let me go, right?..

[the-haylien]

Routine

A while back I talked about making an attempt to follow a HUBERMAN schedule. I have my alarm set for sunrise so I get up a few minutes later each day during Fall. I walk up the hill for fifteen minutes every day, then turn around and come back home with the sun in my eyes. I can tell I am getting a squirt of happy hormones on my sunrise walk. I keep my head up instead of watching my feet, and I smile and make eye contact with other people walking or jogging on the hill. My distant vision has improved somewhat.

I tried delaying my breakfast in order to do an intermittent fast. However, the latest I am comfortable with is a 9:30 AM breakfast. Most of the time I eat between 8 and 8:30 AM. I usually have a soy protein smoothie, but I eat oatmeal or eggs at least once a week. I've been putting greens in my soy shake, but I have too much iron, so I'm not getting much green right now.

My focused work period begins at 8 AM. I am a morning person, so I only have one focused work period. I use a Pomodoro method for five hours, taking a 5 to 10-minute break every hour. I get up and stretch or I run in place or I do a YouTube Body-Weight routine. Every once in a while I work through to about 4 PM.

But generally, I do housework at 1 PM, read at 2 PM, and have lunch somewhere in this time period.

At 5 PM I do a lot of different things, such as daydreaming and thinking about story progression, making sketches, planning tomorrow, playing video games, watching TV, seeing friends, etc.

At 9 PM all screens are turned off. I don't like to go to bed hungry, so I eat a little something. At 10 PM I listen to my Relax Now App. Huberman recommends a hypnosis app near midday for meditation without sleeping. But I fall asleep and it interferes with my sleep schedule. Obviously, I still need to find a way to improve my sleep period. For now, Relax Now generally puts me to sleep. If it doesn't, I am at least wonderfully relaxed. Most of my daytime tension is gone.

I was doing this routine seven days a week. But I was constantly modifying it with errands and appointments. I have figured out a way to keep most of these interruptions on one day a week. So now I have one day a week that is less structured and open to modifications. I still have an off day now and then, but they are much less frequent.

I feel like it has taken me an extraordinarily long time to work out this schedule. But the more I do it the more I become accustomed to it. The most important things it has affected are the increased volume of fiction writing, and setting aside time to daydream about the stories I am writing. It helps tremendously to not have to make a decision like should I play LOZ or should I write? Because you know Zelda is going to win every time.

[iseetheworldinmetaphor]

Henry Miller’s 11 Commandments of Writing

[wisekiss22]

The Write Way: Daily Writing Habits

Do you dream of becoming a successful writer? The key to achieving your writing goals may lie in implementing a daily writing routine. In today’s fast-paced world, establishing a consistent writing habit can transform your craft and help you unlock your full potential as a writer. By committing to a daily writing practice, you can cultivate your creativity, improve your writing skills, and boost…

[mosie-b]

On Writing Routines

I don't get the obsession with studying the routines of the great authors. If Hemingway's routine was so great, why come he shot himself hmmm? It wasn't good enough to stop his mind aging, failing him, turning inward, unable to do what had come so easily in his youth. So clearly, it wasn't a good routine. Hell, there's even a whole Rush song about it. Now, there's a good writer. I wanna know what Neil Peart's routine---

Oh, never mind, he died too. Well, further proves my point: writing songs about Ayn Rand, set to insanely complex instrumentation, only leads you one place: eternity. Bradbury, come on, that guy didn't even know what his own book was about, "451 is about muh television make people dumb." Why in the hell would I ever want to emulate him? It's no wonder he's dead now. And Oscar Wilde, oh, don't even get me started on Oscar Wilde! Do you know where his writing routine led him? Two years hard labor for gross indecency with men! And he croaked three years later, just to boot. I refuse to allow myself to fall into my base homosexual urges. Last night, in a drunken stupor, I told another girl that I liked her. You better believe that's the last time I write like Wilde. It goes further: Mary Shelly(dead), Edgar Allen Poe(dead), T.S Elliot(dead), Robert. A. Heinlein(Dead), J.R.R Tolkien (dead), G.R.R Martin(retired), Harlan Ellison(dead), Philip. K. Dick(deceased.) So, I chose instead to follow the writing routine of our current living greats. Unfortunately, That does mean forcing transphobia and romanticized domestic violence into my work.

Will post my writing routine for any struggling authors wishing to emulate Joanne Rowling and Colleen Hoover