How To Make Good Writing Habits

What are good writing habits and how do we keep them?

This is the question that many wannabe writers, including me, struggle with. I want to make writing a priority, but life always seems to get in the way.

Today, we’ll talk about what our writing habits should be, my own writing habits (or lack thereof), and some ways to get our writing habits to the “should be” category.

What the experts say about writing habits:

1. Actually, make it a routine

With the daily hustle and bustle of life, it’s hard to just decide you’re going to write every day unless you make it a routine. You have to aside a time and space specifically for your writing.

2. Write in chunks

Whether it is time chunks or word count chunks, it is important to have a goal when you sit down to write. Writing without a purpose causes staring at a blank page.

3.  Have intention

Make sure you have a goal when you sit down to write. Make an outline of the novel you always wanted to write or character maps of your main characters. Start the first draft of chapter one. Know what you are going to do that way you don’t waste time trying to figure it out.

That information was great, but what is the reality?

My writing habits are lackluster. There is no way to sugarcoat it. Writing and getting out my recent workshop material was a struggle because I haven’t been writing regularly.

I could make excuses and say life is getting in the way, but that isn’t true. I’m a busy student with a part-time job and other extracurricular activities, but I still have extra time that I could devote to my writing. The issue is I’m not making my writing a priority. This is a real problem especially with my career and life goals.

I think we all fall off the bandwagon sometimes. In 2016, I was writing regularly and it was approving my writing immensely. I grew so much as a writer just because I was constantly writing. To keep improving, I must keep working.

To keep working, I have to be passionate about my writing and prioritize it.

How do I fix my writing habits?

The best way to fix your writing habits is to make your writing a priority. Whenever we make something a priority whether it is fitness, family, reading, etc., we do things to make them into habits. If I prioritize my writing, then I can make writing habits like experts say. I want to make a conscious effort to prioritize my writing in the upcoming month and onward.

How are your writing habits? Do you struggle making your writing habits a priority in the hustle of life? Let me know in the comments below.