How to Start Your Writing Habit in Just Ten Minutes
Get Your Timer Ready
Writing regularly is one of the hardest parts of being a writer.
Sure some will argue that developing dynamic plots and realistic characters or marketing the book once it's complete are the hardest part of writing, but the ones who think that have already built their writing habit so their opinion will count down the line.
Now I'm not going to tell you some monumental trick that will make it so you'll be able to build a lasting habit that will stick and you'll be able to write every day - I'm probably not even going to tell you something that you haven't heard before.
But it's going to be something you should listen to if you want to make a writing habit that lasts more than a day or so.
If you want to build a writing habit - you need to write.
"Wow." - you might be saying to yourself, "I hadn't thought about that. Is it really that easy? Why hadn't I thought of that before?"
Yes, I can feel your sarcasm from here, but that's just it. You have heard this before, you have in fact thought about it time and time again.
So what's keeping you from doing it?
If you want to build a writing habit you need to examine your day-to-day life and find what it is that is keeping you from writing.
I'll give you a hint - it's not your job, your family, the laundry, or the dog.
It's you.
If I had you write down on pen and paper an accounting of every second of your day I promise you that I would be able to find multiple ten-minute slots where you could have fit in some writing.
If you spent a few hours doing the laundry - well what were you doing while that first load was going through its cycle? There was at least half an hour there you could have fit in some writing.
What You Need To Commit To
If you've started and stopped and started and stopped in your pursuit to build a writing habit then I'm going to give you a challenge to try and change that.
For the next 30 days, find ten minutes of each day to fill with writing.
This could be before you get ready for work, during your lunch break, while dinner is in the oven, or while you wait for the pizza delivery.
For the next thirty days just find ten minutes to write.
More often than not you'll find yourself going from those first ten minutes into finding multiple times a day where you were able to fit in some writing.
A habit is made by consistency so be consistent, but if you miss a day there isn't going to be a huge consequence. You don't have to wait for the next month and start the challenge all over again. Begin the next day like you didn't miss it and keep going.
You've got this.
Start with day one.
With love,
B.K. xo xo
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This story was originally posted on Medium.
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About the Creator
Elise L. Blake
Elise is a full-time writing coach and novelist. She is a recent college graduate from Southern New Hampshire University where she earned her BA in Creative Writing.
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Comments (1)
Yes, this is a great way to get writing. I have done this even though seems the writing are just notes. Just thought of something maybe the notes could be a post. Love that your pieces are conversational.