How to Make Daily Writing a Habit
Hi friends,
I have been attempting to write this novel, and I have no idea where it’s heading. On some days, I’m very excited about writing it; time flies by, and I type as fast as I can without looking back at misspellings or grammar rules. Other times, I drag myself through a writing session, and whatever I type feels dull. But what I have convinced myself is that if I sit down every day and write for the next three to four months, I will have a first draft of the story, which I can then refine.
The hardest part about writing is consistency—writing every day regardless of how good or bad the writing feels. Last week, I covered the time and motivation myth, so I won’t go into that again today. But the question remains: how to be consistent? Here are three things that immediately come to mind, which help with the mindset shift before we can address the practical aspects (setting up a calendar hold, creating the environment, writing at the same time):
- Embrace Imperfection: First and foremost, understand that nobody is perfect. Even fitness gurus on social media cheat by eating pizza every once in a while. Productivity experts play video games, and parenting experts sometimes yell at their kids. Don’t beat yourself up over a bad day; just strive to do better the next one. This very moment is all we have, and the more I remember this, the less I care about missing a writing session the day before or whether I will ever publish something people will read. Who knows how long you or I will live anyway?
- Enjoy the Process: If you’re not enjoying the process, you will suffer through it. This doesn’t mean it has to be rewarding every time, but there has to be some joy in it that you find hard to explain to others. I don’t know how to express the way I feel when I get into that mental state between being conscious and unconscious while writing. I experience it at least three out of seven days a week (if I write every day). For me, it’s always about getting into that rhythm, because that’s when I become a fan of my own writing.
- Understand 'Why': The reason for writing, or doing anything for that matter, can’t be purely material. If money and a little fame come from it, that’s welcomed (and my dream is to be rich from my books, but if it doesn’t happen, I already make more money than I need to survive). In reality, however, writers don’t make much money, and most don’t get enough attention to make it to the mainstream—not even the good ones. Writing for those reasons will not provide us with enough stamina to wake up and do it every day. For me, I want to write stories about Yemenis and Yemen that I wish I could read today—in English, that is.
Ultimately, our dedication is a byproduct of the story we tell ourselves about ourselves.
🔖 Quote I’m pondering
“If you know exactly what you you are going to do, what is the point of doing it?”
— Pablo Picasso
📸 Through My Lens
