How to Create a Writing Routine
Finding your groove can help unlock your creative flow. Plus, don't miss our free nonfiction book research checklist.
Every writer has to find a routine that works for them; there’s no one size fits all writing routine that leads to success. The beauty of this is, you get to decide exactly what works best for you. Finding that writing routine, however, may take some time.
In this article, we’ll cover what a writing routine is, why it’s important, and what to think about when creating your own writing routine. Plus, we’re sharing our nonfiction book research checklist as a free download!
What is a Writing Routine?
A writing routine is a set of habits that you follow right before or when you sit down to write. This routine triggers your brain to get into writing mode.
This can include things like setting aside a specific time of day for writing, creating a dedicated writing space, and establishing a system for tracking your progress.
Why is a Writing Routine Important?
Your writing routine can help you stay focused and motivated. As with any routine, when you have it in place you’re more likely to make it a consistent part of your day. Plus, the more your write, the more naturally it will come to you, and the better you’ll become.
5 Things to Think About When Setting Your Writing Routine
The best part of a writing routine is that you get to fully customize it to what works for you.
Set goals and build your routine around them
One important aspect of creating a writing routine is determining what your metric will be for measuring output. If you’re in the early research phase, you may want to use a metric more in tune to research. Your output could look more like a checklist during this stage.
When you are ready to start writing your book, your metrics will change. Some writers like to track their output in daily word count, pages written, or time spent writing. Choose the metric that best fits your goals.
Once you have your metrics set to measure your writing goals, you can then begin to build your writing routine around those goals. So, if you decide you want to write 2,000 words four days a week, you’ll have the skeleton to build your process around. Next, you’ll choose which four days of the week you’ll write, then you’ll decide if you’ll write for one block of time to hit those 2,000 words or if you’ll set a few different time blocks to reach your word count goal.
Adopt a “Make Time” Not a “Find Time” Mentality
I hear so many people say they need to “find time to write,” but that’s not the right way to look at writing. If you’re always searching for the time to write, you’ll never find it because you’ll have always prioritized something else over your writing.
Instead, adopt a “make time” mentality. This means you set aside a specific time on specific days to write and it becomes a nonnegotiable part of your routine just like eating lunch.
Choose Your Location
The most habit-driven writers prefer to write in the same location every time they sit down to work, and they do not write anywhere else. That dedicated spot could be a specific space in their home or a favorite spot at a coffee shop.
Other writers like to change up their scenery every time they write and feel more creative when their view changes. These writers tend to find new places to write all the time.
Experiment with several writing environments and find what you like best. Once you know if you like to write in the same place every time or change locations, you can incorporate that into your writing routine.
Set the Mood for Writing
Think of certain items you’d like to have nearby when you enter your writing space to work. If you write at home, maybe you light your favorite candle, set a glass of water down near your laptop, and do a few stretches before sitting down in your writing chair.
If you like to write at a coffee shop, maybe your mood setting routine looks more like ordering your favorite coffee drink and a snack, sitting down by a window, pulling out your laptop and headphones, and listening to your No. 1 favorite song before you start writing.
By doing the same sequence of tasks just before you write, you signal to your brain that you’ll begin writing soon.
Silence, Ambient Noise, Music: You Choose
Some writers prefer complete silence when they write, while others find that ambient noise, like the hum of a coffee shop, helps them focus.
You may even find that you like writing with a specific music playlist streaming through your headphones.
Experiment with different levels of noise to find what works best for you.
Keep a Log of Your Writing Successes
Some days will be better writing days than others, so record your word count for each writing block or keep it even simpler and write down the days you write. You’ll be able to peek at your log and see how much work you’ve put in. Plus, these records can help you stay motivated to stick to your routine.