“No matter what phase of writing you’re in, or what writing project you’re working on, your habit will help keep you grounded and give you a sense of accomplishment with the things you can control.”
5 Reasons Why You Need A Writing Routine
Written by: Christine B.
October 28, 2021
Sometimes the most difficult thing for a writer is writing. Finding time, ideas, an empty notebook- you name it and there’s an excuse to avoid the actual writing part of being a writer. That’s why making time for a regular writing routine is so important. But there are so many other reasons why a writing routine is an absolute must for every writer, and here are the top 5 reasons why you should start one now.
You’ll actually write
Establishing a writing routine will force you to actually write. No more falling down the endless rabbit hole of internet searches for the sake of research, it’s time to put pen to paper. Creating a daily habit of writing is about making time and not allowing for any distractions. Whether it means setting a timer or blocking out an hour in the evening, your writing habit needs to be a priority.
Improve with practice
When you write every day, it’s inevitable that you will get better at it. You start to see that your current skill level isn’t fixed. With practice, you’ll find that writing and creativity come easier and easier. Your skills won’t grow in a vacuum. The only way to get better at writing is by actually writing. Write every day; poems, lists, scenes, whatever it takes for you to put words on paper. Write for the sake of writing; not to produce award-winning material but to learn as you go. It’s about quantity, not quality because as you learn and practice, you’re writing will undoubtedly improve over time.
“In my writing, as much as I could, I tried to find the good, and praise it”
— Alex Haley
Lots of material to reference
If you successfully make writing a daily habit, you’ll have a large portfolio in no time. Even if you set a small daily goal of 100 words a day, you’ll have 700 words by the end of the week- a great start for anything. Not everything you write will be gold, but if you can create at least one perfect sentence, then you’re already halfway there. Plus, you’ll have created a plethora of material to reference later on, allowing you to cherry-pick through your writing to find ideas or thoughts to recycle on your major projects. You never know what will crop up if you don’t write it down.
Breakthrough the writer’s block
Writing anything—be it a poem, an article, a short story, or a novel—is a huge undertaking, and self-doubt is a natural part of that process. It’s perfect growing conditions for the dreaded writer’s block. No matter what phase of writing you’re in, or what writing project you’re working on, your habit will help keep you grounded and give you a sense of accomplishment with the things you can control. With that momentum, you’ll be able to tamper down writer’s block for good.
Creative Experiments
Your daily writing habit doesn’t need to be confined to one project. In fact, if you allow your writing habit to be a limitless area for your ideas to wander, you’ll find a great opportunity to experiment with your writing. Trying daily challenges or stepping out of your comfort zone with different exercises can have a variety of benefits. It can help you to find your own unique voice or writing style or to come across ideas that you never would have thought of before. A daily writing habit is a great way to experiment creatively and push your limits as a writer in order to improve your skills as well as find creative breakthroughs.
Here is another piece of writing advice to think about, Procrastination in Writing: Pros and Cons.
