I truly love writing… most of the time. But it is like exercise, it is something that has to be done regularly (if you are an aspiring writer) and it is not always enjoyable. Last week was hard for me. All it takes is one emotional blow or a bad day at work and the last thing I want to do is sit down and get my daily writing done. It can easily become an internal fight. Which is why I’m spending this quarter focusing on habit building. Right now, I’m not concerned about the quality of work. I’m concerned about consistency, habits and frankly- showing up.
I put together this post to jam out some writing and share 10 tips to help you commit to the writing groove.
1. Start a blog. I know the ominous “they” say blogging is dying. This might be true… Clearly, I’m taking it to heart as jump into yet another attempt at reviving this thing (whelp). Writing skills are critical to business and to marketing. It’s also a great avenue to find your voice. A blog let’s business owners bring their audience along on the ride. It also helps you control the narrative of your business or in my case my personal brand. For me, blogging has always held me accountable to myself and to the readers (who hopefully one day will become customers).
2. Create an editorial calendar. It is terribly difficult to maintain a consistent content stream when you first start out because you have to adapt to a new routine. Writing will be the first to be pushed to bottom of the to-do list often creating an unorganized content. However, consistency and execution is what brings loyal readers back. As I continually shape my calendar, I find I’m also shaping the aesthetic and feel of the blog along with my writing voice. Even if you aren’t going to start a blog, setting reasonable content goals for yourself will get you writing. For example, this quarter I’m solely focused on getting content out regularly through habit.
3. Find a place designated for writing….maybe even exclusively so. I understand not everyone has an extra desk lying around. For me, it is my old desk in an empty spare bedroom. I find myself having epic battles of discipline if I am anywhere near a bed. After an hour of writing, my mild case of ADD sets-in and I’m crusading around looking for anything to do other than sit in my desk like, say, take a nap. Since I write there regularly, I think my brain and I have come to an understanding that writing is what happens there.
5. Read Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within and Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. I love these books. They played a large role in my writing career and life. For more creative instruction check out The Artist Way by Julia Cameron. I do morning pages every morning which is three pages of word vomit to get me prepped before sitting down to post here.
6. Buy a nice pen or notebook. Don’t always write on the computer. It is tempting I know. Some of my best writing happens during those magical paper + pen sessions. Plus these are your tools. Honor them while treating yourself to some great office supplies.
7. Keep a small notepad in your bag or purse. Sometimes inspiration takes over, especially in the beginning once you start unlocking the door to your most inner thoughts. You don’t want to get caught with a brilliant idea on the bus with no way of catching it.
8. Diversify. I am almost exclusively a memoirist and non-fiction writer. Lately, I started writing short fiction pieces once a week and I am really enjoying it. I had no idea such weird stories existed inside my head! I also would like to think that they are helping me become a more descriptive and well rounded as a writer.
9. Set a calendar reminder. Or designate a time of day you write. First thing when you get up? Right before you go to bed? Whatever works best for you. Routine is what makes the world go round.
10. Lastly, join a writers group. I had an amazing group when I lived in Pittsburgh, PA. They met once a week. It was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. We workshopped one another's work. Don’t shy away from constructive criticism. It’s scary, trust me, I know but it is also necessary for improvement.The thing about writers groups is that the attendees are writers too. They understand the struggle. For every criticism there is a compliment. The best is when people start arguing over your work.
I hope you find this helpful. How do you get in the writing groove?