I’ve written before about finding time to write while running a business. In that article, I touched briefly on building a writing routine, and today, I want to expand on that further.
It’s incredibly difficult to write a book or make regular blog posts. It’s easy to start and then stop somewhere along the way. To follow through, you must develop a consistent writing routine. Here’s how to do that:
Choose a Time of Day
Think about when you feel most energized: Is it when you first wake up? After your 10 a.m. workout? At the end of the work day? Before bed? This is the time when you should write.
For me, this time is approximately 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.—when I’ve finished my workday, but my husband isn’t home yet. I’ve tried writing in the morning, but unfortunately, I’m just not a morning person. No matter how much coffee I drink, my creative juices at 8 a.m. are minimal.
Schedule Time in Your Calendar
After you’ve identified this time, put it in writing. Add it to your daily to-do list, and block out the time in your calendar or planner.
I don’t know about you, but I never miss an appointment or deadline, and I’m only late if there are circumstances outside of my control. Despite this, for so long, I couldn’t commit to making time for my writing. Now, I schedule writing time in my planner, and I treat it with the importance of any other deadline.
For some, it can help to also list how many words you want to write during that time, but that isn’t necessary for everyone. I personally like to write as much as I’m able to during my scheduled time block. If I have the time and energy to continue writing once my scheduled time is over, then I do.
Choose a Location
Almost as important as when you’ll write is where you’ll write. Do you write best with a purring cat on your lap? Or are pets too much of a distraction for you? If so, you may want to choose a room with a door. Do you like to feel nice and comfy when you write, or do you need to sit up straight at a table or desk to maintain focus?
For me, this varies depending on the type of writing I’m doing. For my blog posts and any other nonfiction writing, I need to sit at my desk in my office, and I often need to close the door. But when I’m working on my fiction book, I like to curl up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket. It took me a while to figure out where I write best, but now that I have, it’s made a world of difference.
Create an Outline
Some people can sit down and write stream-of-consciousness style, but this doesn’t work for most. Create a detailed outline for your writing, so you have at least an idea of what you’re writing about and what you’re working toward. Your outline doesn’t have to be perfectly filled in before you start writing—it’s okay if there are a few places where you make a note like “TK—fill in this detail later” (TK = “to come”).
This step is vital for me—I cannot write anything without creating an outline first. I have to know where I’m starting, where I’m ending, and what major points I’ll hit along the way before I can begin.
Have a Plan for Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is very real, and it is a major obstacle for many writers. Make sure you have a plan for conquering writer’s block when it arises, so it doesn’t completely derail your writing project. I shared some tips for this in an earlier blog, linked here.
Personally, I rarely encounter writer’s block if I have a detailed outline. I usually only hit blocks if I either don’t have an outline, or I have too many gaps in my outline. When I’m writing and arrive at a gap in my outline, I first try to brainstorm ways to fill it. Then, if I can’t fill it, I simply skip that section or chapter and move on to the next one. Usually, ideas will eventually come to me in the shower or at the gym, and I’ll run to my phone as soon as I can to record a voice memo so I don’t forget them.
Whatever you do, be aware that writer’s block is likely to happen at some point, and be prepared to confront it.
Adopt a Pre-Writing Ritual
This tip might sound a bit odd, but I highly recommend adopting a pre-writing ritual. Rituals are a proven way to improve focus, reduce anxiety and boost confidence.
Your ritual can be as simple as going for a quick run or brewing a cup of coffee before you sit down to write. Mine is lighting a candle or turning on a candle melt, turning off the “big light,” and turning on a lamp.
If you watched the 2024 Summer Olympics, you might have seen “Pommel Horse Guy” Stephen Nedoroscik doing breathing exercises before each event. In his interviews, he also shared that, before events, he replaced his cell phone with a Rubik’s cube. He said that solving a Rubik’s cube—which he can do insanely quickly by the way—serves as a great stress reliever for him.
Michael Jordan famously wore his UNC practice shorts under his Chicago Bulls uniform, believing they brought him good luck.
Whether your pre-writing ritual is something you believe brings you luck—like rubbing a crystal—or something that calms you—like diffusing essential oils, it will help you build a consistent writing routine.
Eliminate Distractions
Eliminate as many distractions as you can when you’re writing. Don’t try to write while watching TV. Don’t check your texts or email every five minutes. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and you may even consider leaving it in a different room. On your computer, an easy focus hack is to create a separate account that you use only for writing—one that isn’t signed into your multiple email accounts and streaming services.
I hope these tips help you create a writing routine that sticks, so you can finish your manuscript and/or commit to a consistent content posting schedule. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected].
Owner of Aha! Editorial
Let’s talk about your writing project: https://calendly.com/ashlyn-ahaeditorial
