Some habits are good for us. Others, not so much. My coffee habit is probably not so great but boy oh boy is it a habit. I have trouble even thinking before a few cups of coffee.
Writing habits can be good for you or bad for you as well. Some support productivity and creativity. Others can restrict you from being and doing your best.
Writing habits can be a great way to help you be more productive. They can help you get into a writing mood and they can help you achieve your goals.
A perfect example of a potentially positive writing habit is to read the pages you wrote yesterday before starting the new day’s writing. Many writers use this habit to help them focus. Spending a few minutes reading yesterday’s work also helps you maintain consistency with your voice and characters.However, it can also derail you. If you struggle with confidence and nitpick yesterday’s writing it can prevent you from writing a single new word. This example is important to remember as you create your own writing habits. Always assess whether they support your writing goals and success. Not all habits are good for you!
A Fruitful Discovery
As I was cleaning off my computer desktop and backing things up ( something I really should make a habit of doing more often) I came across a free report I created a while ago. It’s called “50 Habits of Successful Fiction Writers.”
I thought I’d share one habit a week. Some habits you may want to embrace and others may not work for you. The goal is to create a system of habits that support you to become more productive, creative and effective with your writing. Some habits presented here just won’t resonate with you and that’s fine. But for those that make sense and you feel particularly connected to, give them a try.
It Takes Time
It takes a good three to four weeks of consistent effort to make anything a habit so be patient with yourself. Don’t expect overnight change and don’t be too hard on yourself when you mess up. We all mess up!
However, when a habit resonates with you, do focus your energy, attention and effort on creating it.
We’ll discuss one habit a week over the next 50 weeks. (Wow! 50 weeks is a long time. Imagine the changes you can make in your life and your writing career in that amount of time!)
I’d be delighted if you’d share any success stories, tips or experiences you have had with creating writing habits and I’m sure the readers would appreciate your experience.
Habit #1
Okay, the first habit is simple enough in theory but it’s something most of us, including myself, struggle with on a daily basis.
Make Writing a Priority.
We’re all busy. However, if you want to complete and publish a romance novel you have to put it at the top of your “to do” list.
Make it easier on yourself and focus on small chunks of your story.
What is the most important part you’re working on or hope to complete? Some fiction writers start at the beginning and continue writing until finished.
Others write pivotal scenes or establish characters first and then go back and write the back story. Decide what your writing priorities are and then work toward completing those.
Every New Habit Needs a Plan
If your new habit is to make writing your priority how will you make it happen? What’s your plan?
How can you make writing a priority? For example, simply waking up each day 30 minutes earlier may be an effective way to make writing a priority. You may need to try a few different things before you find a solution that works. It’s worth the effort. The only way to truly achieve your dreams of being a published writer is to make writing your priority – the most important thing you do each day.
Happy Writing!