Do you struggle to be consistently creative and productive?
The problem may reside in your creative process. Often, when you create a writing habit, daily or weekly, whatever works best for you, then magic starts to happen.
Your muse begins to recognize when it’s time to get to work.
Now, there will still be challenging days. However, they’ll be less frequent and next week we’ll talk about how to push through those non-creative days.
- Use the same tool every day. Make it significant. This tool signals to your muse that it’s time to write. Use this special tool only when you’re writing. It could be a coffee mug that you only drink out of when you’re writing. It could be a special pen or even a pair of reading glasses.
- Create ritual. Repeat the same process before every writing session. It could be anything from pouring a cup of tea to lighting a candle to reading yesterday’s written words.
- Write in the same place every day. If you don’t have a writing space, create one. It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to provide you with the ability to focus. It should be comfortable, but not too comfortable. And it should be free from distractions.
- Write at the same time every day. Our minds and bodies prefer structure and schedule. It’s why sleep specialists tell you to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. When you write at the same time every day, you not only ensure you get it done and meet y our writing goals, you also help tune your mind and body to the habit.
- Take advantage of creative spurts. Sometimes, you’ll notice that the creative muse is singing loudly in your ear. You’re full of fantastic ideas, and the words flow freely. Capitalize on these moments. Set aside everything else, including laundry, and take advantage of your mindset.
Your heart knows what it wants to achieve. You have writing dreams and goals. Now, it’s time to train your mind and body to support you in your quest.
Great post! I’ve been thinking of something to do before each writing session. Since I’ve spent the past few years on non-fiction and not much of my time on fiction, it’s hard to get into a daily writing habit with it. I’m going to think about it and see what I come up with for a little ritual—even if it’s something silly. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
There’s no such thing as silly if it helps you create a writing habit! I’ve often thought I should make a cape, like one that’s siren red and says “Super Writer” on it, and wear it when I write.
LOL. I used to wear a Santa hat when the kids were at home. I don’t have one now and the kids are all grown, so there’s no need to “show” someone I’m working—-but I’ve been thinking of finding another hat just for writing—to indicate it’s writing time. 🙂
I like the cape idea too. 😉
I have more then ten half started story’s and I don’t know how to fix them. The one that keeps coming to me is set in England during Tudor time I think maybe even the War of the Roses which is the being of the Tudors. I’ve never written a series and I think that’s what I have. My question is how do I do it?
Hi Lillian,
Congratulations on such a wealth of ideas! That’s fantastic. I’d let the others sit by the side, come back to them when they beckon you, and focus on the one that is frequently on your mind. The key to a successful romance series, or any genre series, is to have an overarching conflict or storyline that connects all the books. The books then need to each have a conflict and resolution as well. The Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews, http://www.ilona-andrews.com/kate-daniels, does a wonderful job of accomplishing this. It’s not the same genre, Urban Fantasy, however it’s one of the best recent series that I’ve read. The Sookie Stackhouse books are also a good example of an overarching conflict. And you might consider taking a look at the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon, it’s historical romance though because there’s a bit of time travel some might consider it sci-fi too.
Another thing to keep in mind when writing a series is consistency. You may want to begin tracking all of the characters, plot lines, scenes and so forth so it all fits together seamlessly. Planning is key to creating a comprehensive series. The time period you’re writing about is rich with possibilities and it’s such a dramatic and beautiful time. Have fun creating your series, I’d love to hear more about it as you work through it!
I have more then ten half started story’s and I don’t know how to fix them. The one that keeps coming to me is set in England during Tudor time I think maybe even the War of the Roses which is the being of the Tudors. I’ve never written a series and I think that’s what I have. My question is how do I do it?
Hi Lillian,
Congratulations on such a wealth of ideas! That’s fantastic. I’d let the others sit by the side, come back to them when they beckon you, and focus on the one that is frequently on your mind. The key to a successful romance series, or any genre series, is to have an overarching conflict or storyline that connects all the books. The books then need to each have a conflict and resolution as well. The Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews, http://www.ilona-andrews.com/kate-daniels, does a wonderful job of accomplishing this. It’s not the same genre, Urban Fantasy, however it’s one of the best recent series that I’ve read. The Sookie Stackhouse books are also a good example of an overarching conflict. And you might consider taking a look at the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon, it’s historical romance though because there’s a bit of time travel some might consider it sci-fi too.
Another thing to keep in mind when writing a series is consistency. You may want to begin tracking all of the characters, plot lines, scenes and so forth so it all fits together seamlessly. Planning is key to creating a comprehensive series. The time period you’re writing about is rich with possibilities and it’s such a dramatic and beautiful time. Have fun creating your series, I’d love to hear more about it as you work through it!