Jan 4
Key Tips for Making Writing a Habit
Whether you are a newbie writer or a veteran, it is important that you are consistent with your writing. Remember that you won’t really improve if you are not consistent.
As a rule, you should make writing a habit. By doing so, you will be able to hone your skills on a daily basis. However, this is easier said than done. Writing on a daily basis could be very grueling, and you will need to have a set strategy. Here are key tips for making writing a habit.
1. Have a set schedule
If you are serious about starting a daily writing habit, it is important that you set a schedule for yourself. Remember that the more you write, the more you will improve. However, the most difficult part is usually the start. You are not yet used to writing on a daily basis. This means that there will be moments of resistance. By having a set schedule, you will eventually get used to writing on a daily basis.
2. Set up your ideal workspace
Aside from having a set schedule, it is also a good idea to set up a workspace. Remember that you will be using the workspace for long periods of time. If your workspace is not comfortable, you may soon lose interest in the writing process.
Your furniture and lighting are big factors when setting up a workplace. Your chair and table must offer enough back support. Subpar furniture may cause you to develop back problems. The same could be said for lighting. You should make sure that your lighting is neither too bright nor too low. It should have a warm glow, and illuminate the whole room without being too glaring.
3. Have some writing prompts at the ready
While you may have some experience with writing, there will be times when you have a hard time getting started. This is understandable because it is not easy to write content. A great way to get started on the writing process is to utilize writing prompts.
These are two to three sentences that focuses on a particular topic and asks a specific question that you will have to answer. Before you start writing, you should write down these writing prompts and choose the best one. This will help you get started right away.
4. Set a word count for yourself
Yet another way to make writing a habit is to set a word count for yourself. Remember that there will be times when you won’t want to write. Your usual word count may be a thousand words, but during slow days, you may just limit your word count to 500 words.
This approach to word counts may lead to laziness and a lack of productivity. By having a set word count, you will have something to strive for during your writing sessions.
5. Hold yourself accountable
You may love to write however, there will be times where you may hate even the thought of writing. This is a common notion for many writers because writing is not an easy endeavor.
As a rule, you should hold yourself accountable for all your writing sessions. If you miss a writing session, then you should strive to not miss any more. Having this mindset is not meant to cause you stress or pressure you. It is meant to give you a more effective mindset for writing.
6. Join writing challenges
Writing on a daily basis could get very boring in the long run. This is where writing challenges come in handy. By joining writing challenges, you will have more motivation to write on a daily basis. There are a lot of writing challenges that you could join. These could be on a small scale, such as a writing challenge within a writing group, or an annual event such as the NaNoWriMo which entails you to write a book of at least 50,000 words during the entire month of November. It is one of the biggest writing challenges in the world.
7. Join writing groups
Writing groups are a great way to enhance your writing habits. Remember that writing on a daily basis could get boring, and a little change in your routine could go a long way. By signing up for writing groups, you could socialize with other writers and even have them check your work. You don’t need to meet up every day, but a weekly meeting with your writing group is a great way to shake off the cobwebs from your writing sessions.
Conclusion
If you want to hone your writing skills the right way, it is important that you make writing a habit. Only by writing a daily basis will you reach your full potential as a writer. With these tips, you’ll be able to make writing a habit.
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