Writing, The Thing You Must Do Not Want to Do.

3 Tips to Make Writing More Routine

You know you are on the right path when the people around you accept your new habits.

The other day, my son wanted my attention. It was breakfast time, and I wasn’t finished writing my article for the day. So, at the counter, I clickety-clacked on my keyboard while the kids ate with their dinosaur cartoons to entertain.

But my five-year-old started his series of ‘what are we doing’ questions. Still typing, I said, “Mommy needs ten more minutes to finish this article.”

He replied, “Ok, Mommy. I just want to give you a hug. You seem happy.”

It melted my heart, and I got back to work.

You see, I love writing. Every day I wake up wanting to. No, scratch that. I wake up needing to write. On the rare occasion that I don’t, I feel weird for the rest of the day, off-kilter.

Some people get up and get moving first thing in the morning. They go for runs, walk the dog or do some stretching to wake up their beautiful bodies.

Not me. I need to wake up and stretch my brain that’s been running subconscious dreams all evening. I need to find the words for my knowing-ness and let them breathe on the page. They need to dance around in your world of ideas. The magical pairings of verbs, adjectives, and nouns are discoveries of treasures untold.

I just feel it in my bones and the essence of my heart.

So when my five-year-old, who will chat up anyone from 3 to 100, notices that I am happy and gives me space, I feel like I am doing something right by following my passion for writing.

Deep breath.

And smile.

You like to write too. I can tell. You are here reading this article to learn how to make your writing more of a habit, more routine so that you can feel more productive in your work.

You are on this writing path because when you start typing, you begin to feel like you are coming alive. You feel like you have a sense of purpose. You love the challenge that writing brings. You feel successful when your ideas are out of your brain and on the page.

But are you writing all the time? Are you doing it routinely, or do you wait until you are inspired?

I used to write only when I thought I had enough inspiration. Then, I’d walk away and do other things like scroll on social media or binge-watch TV. But when I started looking at my life compared to the life I wanted, I realized that I am not even close to reaching my full potential.

So, I made some changes that influenced my writing life. I quit drinking. I decided to follow my passions. I started walking daily and making new friends. I stopped watching as much TV, and I try my damnedest to eat more mindfully. And, I made writing a priority in my life.

I went from producing an article once or twice a month to publishing almost every other day. People started reading my articles on all the platforms I use, and my following is steadily climbing. I am not where I want to be, but I am definitely on my way.

So, what exactly am I doing to make my writing a part of my life and not something I just do when I feel inspired?

5 Things I Do to Make My Writing More Routine

1. Get up Early or Stay up Late and Write

I am an early bird. I wasn’t always. But it shifted after having kids. But you might be a night owl. One of my professors loved to work from 9 until midnight because the house was finally quiet enough for her to focus. I would just fall asleep. But the point is that you need to pick a time to write.

So, I get up at 4:45 nearly every morning. You can read more about my morning routine here. But basically, after a cup of coffee and some positive affirmation and gratitude, I get my laptop out and start writing.

I don’t open any other app, tab, or video. I write.

Ayodeji Awosika says in his blogging course you need to protect your writing time. You can’t do anything else. This is so true!

It is easy to get distracted with TikTok or checking your emails when you get your device out but don’t. Just don’t. Write instead.

That’s what I do. I protect my writing time. Even if I have other deadlines to meet for other things I am working on. Even if my kids get up early or I stay up too late. I get up and write.

2. Publish Articles Regularly and in Publications

Consistency is the key to being successful at most things. You can’t lose weight by going to the gym once in a while. Nor is it likely that you will be successful as a writer if you don’t publish regularly.

Why? Because you’ll get better at your craft.

Should you focus on quality? Yes. Your name is on this.

But should you not publish because your article isn’t perfect? No. Heck, I posted this article, didn’t I? Is it the best article I have ever written? Heck no.

This is what I think is my best article ever written.

This is my most popular article ever written.

When I published the most popular article I’ve ever written, I wasn’t completely happy with it. However, it has proven otherwise. So, that just is some feedback.

What I think is awesome might not be what others need to hear. Publish anyway. This is another lesson I learned from Ayo’s blogging course.

And submit to publications.

What can they say? No. Awe shucks. Find a better fit or tweak your article. Putting yourself out there isn’t a guaranteed affirmation. But, you will learn and grow the more you do.

3. Connect with Others

No one likes to go it alone. We are social creatures. Most of the world’s population shows this by simply living in shared spaces. (Although I live in the western states, and some people prefer to live alone, off the grid. That’s fine. Each to its own). But for the most part, people like a community.

We like to be a part of groups. Especially ones that are successful.

“One of the most effective things you can do to build better habits is to join a culture where your desired behavior is the normal behavior.” –James Clear.

So, you want to write. Hang out with writers.

The first group I joined was Medium Writers and Genuine Readers on Facebook. Sure, there are many people just posting their links, hoping someone will read theirs but won’t read yours. But, if you hang around for a while, you start to see who is authentically participating in the feed.

And, be that person who shows up for others the way you want others to show up for you.

Do you want every person and their dog to read your article, or do you want people who are interested in what you have to say to read your article?

I first thought of the former, but now I consider the ladder. I would rather have a few people who want to read and engage in my work than people reading my work to check it off a box.

I follow this principle in all groups I am now in.

Except for the Slack group I am in.

Part of Ayo’s writing course is learning about writing. Another part is sharing ideas with others going through this journey with you. Using the Slack App, writers become students of not only Ayo’s but yours too. We all learn from each other and support each other along the way.

Remember when I said that I only read work I am interested in? Well, I am interested in what my fellow students are creating. I want to see their progression and learn from them. I hope they feel the same about me.

So, I try to read every post from my team. It’s a great way to learn not only about other people’s writing styles but also learn about new things in life. I never thought I’d learn about the best cat toys, how I could make friends playing tennis, or what to expect when dating a runner. Do I have a cat? No. Nor do I play tennis or am dating. But by reading my fellow writing community posts, I can relate them to my own experience. Does my dog need toys? What groups can I join to make new friends? Does my CrossFit junkie husband do any of those same things as a runner?

We become well-rounded when we learn from each other.

Conclusion

You like to write. I like to write. So we write. But when you consistently make designated time to write, publish regularly, and play with others nicely, you will feel more successful at your pursuits. I know I have. My kids remind me.

Want to join Ayo’s Blogging Course? Click here.

(((Disclosure: Yes, this is an affiliate link, which means I’ll get a small portion of your commitment, but I don’t recommend things I don’t stand behind. Plus, you’ll learn how to become a better writer and meet cool people who will grow and support you along the way. That may just be the little reminder you need to stay the course of following your writing passion.)))

Patty McMahon, M.Ed is an educator, a mother, wife, and dog lover writing about sobriety and wellness in the 21st c. To help others along their journey, she created a book club. Join her newsletter to get more insights on wellness delivered to your inbox. Follow her on TikTok

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