How to Cultivate a Daily Writing Routine

by Vishad M.

A career in writing revolves around navigating the labyrinth of thoughts and diligently refining your writing process. While writing skills may vary among individuals, successful writers share a common trait: they dedicate time to write.

Some writers may grapple with concerns about their output, fearing they’re either producing too few or too many pages. Let’s consider a reasonable daily writing target for a typical author through some straightforward calculations.

Many professional writers aspire to generate five to ten pages a day over a four or five-day work week. On average, a page comprises 250 words in 12-point Times New Roman font.

Imagine you write 1250 words per week or 5,000 words each month, resulting in approximately 60,000 words per year. Novels typically span from 80,000 to 120,000 words. Hence, it generally takes a professional writer one to two years to complete the first draft, excluding the time dedicated to revisions and editing.

For instance, Hemingway purportedly produced about 500 words daily, while Stephen King was known to churn out 2000 words daily.

While some writers may finish a novel in six months, the quality of hastily written work can be questionable. When writing in a genre that predominantly follows a formula, expediting the development process may be feasible.

However, personally, I believe that rushing the creation of a novel isn’t advisable. Professional writing demands patience and persistence. Each story unfolds at its own pace, with scenes carefully thought out even before they grace the page. Writing entails more thinking than typing. It’s vital to grant your narrative the time it requires to develop depth and significance.

The Significance of a Daily Writing Routine:

Undertaking any form of writing, whether it’s poetry, an article, a short story, or a novel, is a substantial endeavor, and self-doubt naturally accompanies this journey. You might feel overwhelmed by the task in its early stages, lose your way midway through, or even stumble after a significant success. Regardless of the phase of your writing process or the project at hand, establishing a daily writing habit can anchor you and provide a sense of achievement over the elements within your control.

A daily writing routine serves as a reminder that writer’s block, that persistent and frustrating specter haunting writers, is a creation of your own mind. When you’re writing, you’re not hindered by it.

Whenever you find yourself grappling with self-doubt, return to the rituals you’ve established around your writing. Seek ways to nurture and honor your work. Employ any means necessary to convince yourself that you have the capacity to see your writing through to completion. Recognize that the story already resides within you, and your skills are more than adequate to transfer that narrative onto the page.

Effective Daily Writing Practices

Writing encompasses both inspiration and skill, but these talents can only flourish with consistent practice. While your motivation to write may fluctuate, your routine should remain steadfast. Here are some suggestions not only for finding time to meet your writing objectives but also for cultivating habits that will enhance your writing capabilities.

1. Establish a Dedicated Writing Space:

Maintaining a daily writing habit is more achievable when you create a space where you genuinely enjoy spending time writing. You don’t need an exquisite view or an expensive desk; privacy and intention matter more than the quality of your surroundings. Whether it’s a desk, a table, a cozy chair at home, or a spot in the library, choose what suits you best and refine it as you go. Keep your sources of inspiration, books, and research materials nearby. Consider taping favorite quotes to your computer or a nearby wall. Maintaining a tidy workspace can significantly impact your motivation. Commit to working in this space at the same time every day for a week, paying attention to any changes you notice as you progress. You may discover that establishing a regular time and place makes it easier to slip into the writing zone daily, maintaining your inspiration and creativity.

2. Commence Each Day with Writing:

Many writers adopt routines to boost their confidence and tap into their creative potential. The practice of “Morning Pages,” involving the daily writing of three pages by hand, can be particularly beneficial in establishing a robust writing habit. These pages are not meant for anyone else to read, and they don’t need to be polished. By committing to writing something every day, you warm up your creative muscles and create mental space for more profound ideas to flow.

3. Set a Word Count Target:

You might choose to aim for 500, 50, or 1000 words each day. When you’re actively engaged in a larger project like a novel, don’t fret if your daily word count falls short. Be forgiving with yourself regarding the quantity you produce, but maintain discipline when it comes to the consistency of your practice. The key is to get words onto the page. Think of it as sculpting a masterpiece from a block of marble; initially, it may appear shapeless. Begin by carving out the overall form, and then return to refine the finer details once you have the foundational structure in place.

Effective Strategies for Daily Writing

4. Devote Time to Writing Every Single Day, Without Exceptions:

This commitment extends to holidays, weekends, and vacations—leave no room for exceptions. You don’t necessarily need to dedicate a full eight hours each time. However, try to maintain consistency regarding the time of day and the duration of your writing sessions. If possible, create a dedicated workspace free from distractions like email, the internet, or your phone. During your writing sessions, avoid interrupting your flow, even for quick research. Instead, make notes within your text indicating where you need to conduct research online, and address it later. Be resolute with yourself (and others) about your writing routine; external distractions will attempt to lure you away.

5. Avoid Beginning with a Blank Page When Possible:

Before concluding your work for the day, prepare for the following day’s writing—think of it as “setting the table for breakfast.” Write a paragraph or a note to yourself outlining what you plan to continue working on. This serves as a helpful reminder of your last stopping point and provides ideas for continuing a scene. You can also include writing prompts to kickstart your next day’s writing.

6. Incorporate Brainstorming Sessions into Your Writing Process:

Grant yourself the freedom to generate imperfect ideas. Occasionally, amidst less promising concepts, you may stumble upon a gem.

7. Recognize the Value of Thinking and Planning:

Writing encompasses more than sitting at your desk. It might involve dictating into a voice recorder, compiling lists of bullet points, or jotting down scene snippets on scrap paper. Staying physically active is also beneficial; take frequent breaks from your desk, and set a timer to prompt you to step away. Movement can spark fresh ideas, and sometimes, even mundane activities can be creatively inspiring. Maintain a unified location for recording audio notes and jotting down fleeting thoughts.

Creative Writing Enhancement Techniques

8. Transform Your Creative Writing Routine into a Game:

Introduce a gamified element to your writing habits. Monitor your unbroken streaks, and reward yourself with gold stars for each day you achieve your writing goal. Alternatively, explore smartphone apps designed to hold you accountable.

9. Implement Time-Conscious Writing Sessions:

Before each writing session, determine your writing objective. This could be a scene, a chapter of your novel, or even a page of freewriting to spark ideas. Set a timer for 25 minutes and write until it expires. Following this, take a five-minute break, and then repeat these three steps, ensuring strict adherence to the allotted time.

10. Set Collective Objectives and Deadlines:

Engage in group initiatives and deadlines, such as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), where the goal is to complete a 50,000-word initial draft of a novel within the month of November. This approach serves as a powerful motivator. Many accomplished writers have initiated their careers through NaNoWriMo projects, later transforming them into bestselling works. Regardless of how challenging daily writing sessions may feel, the encouragement from fellow writers will compel you to write persistently until the final moments of the last day.