I’m a writer. I write to organise my thoughts, or process them, and because I enjoy it. Life gets busy though, and my writing routine tends to fall off the radar when I’m overwhelmed. Writing helps me be less overwhelmed, but I’m too overwhelmed to write *eye roll*. It’s frustrating.
My writing routine isn’t based on how much time I have, however, as I explain in this post. It’s about motivation and inspiration. Even if I’ve got a lot of stuff going on, I just need to find the motivation to write.
Little things affect my motivation. I found that NaNoWriMo helped me keep my writing on track. The writing programs I use can also help (or hinder) my motivation. And I can find inspiration to write by doing certain things, as I explain in this post. No motivation or inspiration = writer’s block.
I feel like this is misleading – I’m not saying you should only write when you feel motivated to. What I am saying is that you should try and do things to help your motivation – and therefore make writing easier.
Is your writing routine every day?
If so, I admire you. I try to write every day but, as mentioned above, sometimes time gets away from me. I feel proud when I do though. And by keeping up my writing every day, I’m more motivated to continue keeping it up.
I’ve been trying to write during my lunch break at work every day. The lunch hour time pressure helps, which surprised me, but when you find something that works, don’t stop.
Where do you write?
I write in different places. I’ve always been a cozy-in-bed writer, although I am really bad at staying awake if it’s warm and comfy. Seriously – it’s a real problem. But ideas come to me when I’m lazing about, so cozy-in-bed works.
The couch too, although my back may disapprove. Why can’t I be a normal person and write at a desk with an ergonomic chair?
I’ve recently become a cafe writer. I meet one of my writing groups at a cafe to write, but I’m usually so very unproductive… If I do any work at all. I just get distracted so easily by friends – yes, I blame you. Kidding. It’s my fault. But the point is cafes haven’t worked for me in the past, but they do now. Maybe it depends on the cafe? The cafe I like to write at on my lunch break may have an overpriced mocha, but I’m paying for the seat, not the drink.
Do you have a drink or snacks?
When I’m cafe writing, I like to have a mocha by my side – as I already mentioned, but I do like a good mocha. Coffee is too strong and sometimes I’m too sleepy for a hot chocolate, so I risk it putting me right to sleep.
I’m guilty of snacking too much, but not usually when I’m writing. Probably depends on where I am – the couch is the worst place for snacking and I need to stop. Writing is actually good for my diet, turns out (only because the snacks I eat are not the healthy kind).
A few things to consider
- Location / space
- Inside / outside
- Noise level / music
- Weather / mood / atmosphere
- Time of day / day of week
- Food / drink
- Accountability / time pressure
- Company / alone
- Sleepiness / alertness
What’s your writing routine that motivates or inspires you to get work done? If you need help finding or creating your writing routine, there are helpful suggestions on Writer’s Edit and Masterclass.
This was my chaotic writing routine (if it can be called that), but some authors’ writing routines can be read on Medium. Just remember not to compare yourself too harshly – and especially not with the early birds.