If you didn’t meet your writing goals in 2021, don’t fret. There’s still time in 2022! You might need to update your habits though. In a post on DIY MFA, Heather Campbell offers five tips for building a consistent writing practice.
For too long, I felt like I didn’t have much control over my writing habits. I thought that I was beholden to the muse to show up and motivate me to write, which meant that I didn’t write nearly as much as I wanted to. The only other thing that got me writing was a hard-and-fast external deadline, which meant I continually floundered on personal projects.
Then I realized that writing is like any other skill I’d want to develop—I needed to put in time and effort to practice it, and I needed to believe that I could improve. I also needed to believe that I could change my habits.
Our self-belief drives our actions. For example, if you tell yourself that you are a procrastinator, then when you have the option to work on a project in advance of a deadline, you’ll still choose to procrastinate because it’s aligned with the way you see yourself. And the more you procrastinate, the more you reinforce the belief that you’re a procrastinator.
So first, you must open yourself to the possibility that you can change your process and develop a consistent writing practice. Then you must implement actions that make it so.
- Create a schedule. You prioritize work, errands, television shows. If you aren’t dedicating a set time for your writing, why not? No, a schedule will not inhibit your creativity. On the contrary, regular practice will stimulate it.
- Create a routine. Some writers create a ritual around their writing. They might meditate for a few minutes first, read affirmations, or just wear a favorite sweater. But you might be satisfied with finding the right time of day and a comfortable place to sit. The key is doing the same thing at the same time to create a habit.
- Try journaling. If you’re still procrastinating, write about it. Write down your thoughts about writing, what’s stopping you, and what underlying fears may be inhibiting you. Get it out of your head and onto paper and you might find your blocks less bulky.
- Evaluate your success based on progress. If you plan to write for an hour and then do it, that’s a success. It doesn’t matter if you hit your word count or if the draft is crappy. You made a plan and stuck to it and filled your time with writing. That’s a hit. Celebrating your successes has the side benefit of prompting your brain to want more of them.
- Find your community. Join a writing group or invite a writer friend to a weekly check in. If you have the means, consider a writing coach to keep you motivated.
