If writing a book is something you really want to do, you have to create a system that works for you and that will help you achieve your goals.
For the longest time, I had tried to write something first thing in the morning. I wanted to prioritise writing, and for some reason to me prioritise meant “to do first”. I would wake up every morning, drink my coffee, eat my breakfast, take a shower, say my prayers, sometimes even do a short workout, and then, before I started doing anything else, I would open my Word document and start writing.
Or, well, at least I tried.
Some days writing comes easier than others, and that’s okay, but when writing requires a massive effort that brings the smallest fruit, that’s when something doesn’t work.
I used to get stuck, not write for weeks, get frustrated and angry. Obviously, self-doubt thrived like mold in a humid room.
A few weeks ago, though, tired of doing the most and getting nowhere, I just tried to write for about thirty minutes in the evening, just before going to sleep, and my fingers flew over the keyboard. So, the next night, I tried again. And then the night after that, and so on. I would manage to pump out anything between 600 to 1.5k words within thirty minutes to an hour.
I wrote 40k words in four weeks.
I still take breaks, if some days I was too tired I don’t write, but I have been trying to be as consistent as possible, and it is paying off beautifully, to the point that I believe I’ll manage to finish the first draft of my current project before summer ends (or maybe even before this month ends).
I found a routine that works for me. But I didn’t find it by searching “best writing routines” online, nor I found it by doing exactly what another writer does, or by doing what I was told was the right thing to do.
I found it by trying.
So, if you are trying to come up with a writing routine that will help you finish writing your book, here’s some tips:
Stop looking at what other writers do… or, even better, experiment with different “routines”. I have come across many videos of writers trying other successful writers’ routines, and this can be a great way to experiment and find something that may work for you. Do whatever you feel like doing, and when you will stumble on something that feels right, stick to it. Trust me, you’ll feel it.
Look at your life, your non-negotiable and the time you have available. This is crucial. If you are working full time while taking care of three kids, your time may be very limited, or if you work night shifts your free time may be at 6 am before going to bed. You know your life better than anyone else, you know how much time you have, how busy you are, and what you are not willing to give up or what you need to do or get to keep yourself from self-combusting. Think about it, do a little audit of your life and look at where writing fits in it.
Know yourself: don’t wake up at five if you can’t function before ten. This is biology, and I have tested this myself. Once I was out of school, I tried for the longest time to wake up early, basically before eight am, mostly because I love early mornings, but also because I felt like I would’ve gained some extra productive time. Well, turned out I cannot function properly before ten am, and waking up before eight actually makes me feel really tired during the day. What I want to say is that your body has unique needs. Don’t ignore them. Work with it, not against it.
Make it simple and achievable. You don’t need the fancy software or the super detailed and complicated outline charts, you don’t need to leave the house and go to the library or a café, you don’t need a super cute and accessorized desk. If you write your best in bed, go on. If you write your best at the kitchen table while dinner is on the stove, great. It doesn’t have to be a complicated, multi-step routine. It could be as simple as sitting down with a glass of water besides you.
Try! This is the only way you can find the perfect routine for you. Try, try, try. Do something different every single day until something works and clicks. Try.
I hope you find this post useful, and if you are trying to start writing a novel but you are stuck at the beginning, I have a super simple free guide to help you outline your book in a very flexible way, so you can keep pantsting along if that’s what you prefer, or be as meticulous as you like. Get it here.
I also offer coaching sessions! So, if you want some guide navigating this process and understanding better what is the best routine for you, you can learn more about coaching here, or reach out to me here for a free discovery call.
Keep in mind: the best way is the one that works for you! Now go, write your masterpiece, the world needs it!
