Every writer wants to know new ways to help them write more, better, or more often. I’ll let you in on my own routine for kicks and giggles, but remember it always comes down to what works for you. It’s really a matter of trial and error. So what works for me might leave you stymied, and what works for you might end in me scrolling Pinterest instead of typing words.
So without further ado…
My Top Writing Process Tips: Routine and Habitat
1. Make playlists.
If you’re like me, music can be a double-edged sword: rife with inspiration, but a sucker for your attention if you’re not careful. Some writers opt not to listen to music while they’re actively putting pen to paper, but I like to have the white noise and a constant stream of inspiration to fall back on when I’m writing.
My best advice is to make yourself playlists, at least one per novel and maybe a few odds and ends that focus on specific characters or scenes if that helps you get into the groove. If you don’t know what specifically you want to listen to, put all the playlists from the project you’re working on together and hit shuffle.
But mark my words: It’s best to pick your playlist for that session, start it, and then leave it alone. Don’t keep skipping through songs or focusing on finding just the right one. You can skip one song here or there if it’s distracting or throwing you off, but don’t keep being picky.
The best case scenario is if the music fades into the background and you’re so productive that you don’t even know what you’ve been listening to. That’s why it’s good to listen to your playlists at other times, too, so you’ll have time to ruminate on the songs you picked.
2. Carry an inspiration notebook.
Or take notes on your phone. (Or do both, if you’re me.) Just make sure you’ve always got a place to write down your ideas when they strike, and not just for the story you’re working on right now. If a bit of dialogue comes to you but you don’t know what story it belongs in, or if you spot a random person who just looks like a character, scribble it down for safe-keeping. No matter how good you think your memory is…it isn’t that good. Write it down.
Bonus tip: Invest in good pens. Thick black ink that flows on the page…joy.
3. Fend off distractions.
Turn off your wifi on your laptop, and only turn it on to research. Silence your phone or set it to Do Not Disturb so only super important stuff comes through. Tell your family you love them but that you need them to buzz off for a while.
Sit where you’re not facing the TV or anything else that will tempt you into never accomplishing your goals. Walk the dog or play with the cat beforehand so they won’t bug you as much and then ignore them.
One more that often gets neglected but affects nearly everybody: Banish guilt! I know your life is demanding and every moment counts, but you need to ask yourself how much this dream matters to you. Further, writing is essential for my wellbeing, and I’m going to guess you’re the same way.
It’s okay to take time for yourself to do what you love. In fact, it’s crucial. When you look back on your life and the example you set, you’re not going to want to realize you never did what you dreamed of doing.
It’s not forever. The world won’t explode and the house won’t burn down (probably). So just take the time to be present with your writing, if only for half an hour. You’ll feel better when you do.
4. Learn your rhythm.
Are you the most productive and clear-headed right when you get up? Do you have trouble thinking until after lunch? Or are you a werewriter like me who craves the privacy of night to nourish your thoughts?
Whenever your best time is, use it! Carve out time that’s right in the sweet spot. Everyone has less time than they would like, so make it count by writing when you’re at your best.
Don’t forget, this also applies to how long each sitting should be. My best writing happens in periods of 90 minutes. If you start getting antsy after 20 minutes, that’s when to do something else. You’re allowed to break it into however big of chunks get you the most focused. Just make sure you’re timing your breaks, too, or you won’t come back. A phone or watch alarm is fine, but I like to be classy and use an elegant sand timer. You know, just to be extra.
If you want to write full time, try for more writing windows in a day or increase the length of each sitting. Learn what works best for you and try to increase how much you get done in a day. Once you begin publishing, you’ll have to set aside time for that and marketing, too.
5. Get your thoughts flowing.
The hardest part of writing is putting your butt in the chair. The second hardest part is starting to type. Give yourself a boost by creating a document just for your thoughts while you’re writing this project. Are you having doubts about a plot element? Do you need to further flesh out a character before you can proceed? Figure out what’s stopping you and write it down. Is it real life that’s distracting you? That’s right, write about that, too.
Just admitting to yourself what’s on your mind is a huge step toward either conquering it or putting it aside for the present. I like to keep my “Thoughts” doc and my latest project side by side in Scrivener so I can see them both and jump from one to the other as needed. If you want to get super organized and make things easy to find, you can make multiple documents for planning different aspects of your stories. But always have a place where you can journal if you find yourself flipping back and forth between documents without writing anything new.
Writers are tricky creatures, and you and I are two different organisms. But the rules of play are often the same. You have to learn what helps you and what slows you down and make note of those things, then figure out how to use them to improve your process. The biggest takeaways are to cut down on the things that keep you from actually writing, including preparing to write, and make the most of the time you’ve set aside.
It’s a jungle out there and no one has all the answers, so I hope you find what works for you! Remember: you don’t have to feel guilty for setting aside time for your passion. So shut off the internet, ignore those puppy-dog eyes, and bring your snack with you when you first sit down.
Now go write!
