Like every farmer will tell you, only a fertile ground will produce a plentiful crop.
In writing, the fertile ground which enables a writer to be creatively productive are his habits.
Habits are the screws which keep the machine going forward. Remove one screw and the whole machine might come undone.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance that a writer implements and maintains the right habits in order to be inspired on a daily basis.
Here are five habits which every writer’s routine should include:
- Scheduling
Like with all things, organisation reigns supreme. In writing, this rule differs not.
For a writer, it is vital to set some time aside and dedicate it solely to writing.
Obviously, the scheduling can be done indiscriminately either on a physical or a digital calendar. Still, it is important for that schedule to be written down, as it creates a mental note for the writer to abide by.
However, in order to schedule your writing time on a calendar, you need to first know yourself.
What is meant by that is that you, as the writer, need to know when you are most ‘creative’. Is it in the mornings or in the evenings?
The answer to this question will help you define your writing time and construct your calendar the right way.
2. Reading
There is nothing more creatively inspiring than reading a book prior to delving into a writing session.
Think about it:
A book which has already been published has been edited and revised by many brilliant minds (i.e. writers, editors, literary agents and whatnot). Because of this fact, when you pick up a book from your shelf, you are bound to read a well-written and hopefully engaging story.
The effect of the above is that, mentally, the book will not only fuel your ideas, it will give you license to replicate the brilliant, courageous, bold writing style of the author you are reading.
Typically, reading a book which is similar in genre to what you are currently writing is the most beneficial. Otherwise, any genre will do.
But, make sure you read!
3. Just Write
One of the mistakes writers make during a writing session is to pause too many times to re-read and edit what they’ve written.
So much do they get obsessed with perfecting their sentences that, two hours into their writing session, they have only written 200 words.
While being a perfectionist can ultimately have its positive effects on your writing, you shouldn’t get too bogged down with editing each sentence. Why? It’s the first draft! You will always have time, as the story develops, to tweak every mistake.
Yes, quality is as – if not more – important as quantity. But you shouldn’t underestimate the power of just getting your creativity out while it still bubbles within you.
4. Know When to Stop
Ever felt so inspired that, instead of three hours, you end up writing for eight hours? And, when you eventually stop to read what you’ve written, most of it sounds rubbish?
It can be highly dispiriting and demotivating for a writer to experience the above depiction.
The reason why the above may come about is simple: you’ve written for far too long.
If you’re writing schedule indicated you should write for three hours, stick to the three hours. If you exceed the time, that’s also fine but do not exaggerate.
Otherwise, your brain will tire so much that it will trick you into believing that you are still in the prime wave of your creative surge.
5. Forget About the Story
A commonality among writers is that, once they finish their writing session, they obsess over what they’ve just written.
While that sort of behaviour is normal, it has a negative impact on your brain. In fact, going into the next writing session, your brain will probably feel exhausted and incapacitated to write words.
Thus, the approach one should adopt is to forget all about their story until the next morning or evening, when you sit down to write again.
This will allow you to have a fresh perspective on your writing. Specifically, it will help you determine if what you’ve written is acceptable to your standards.
So, let your brain rest and you will always get the best out of yourself.
In conclusion
Habits can make or break your productivity. Apply these habits and let your creativity flow.