There is a magic that lies within the realm of daily writing habits. I’m not kidding -- they have a profound impact on the writing process and your overall productivity. Ask any professional author. There is nothing like a good idea…when it’s been produced onto an actual page! Writing is a craft that requires consistent practice and dedication, and oh, how glorious to reach your full potential.
By establishing a routine of daily writing, you can cultivate discipline, hone your skills, and
increasing creativity. Regular writing habits help authors overcome writer's block, maintain momentum, and ultimately bring your literary visions to fruition.
For some, writing will always just be a hobby, and that’s okay, too if you just enjoy the dabble. I was that way for years myself when I didn’t realize every individual can have this gift of expression.
For those who like a challenge, an adventure and a breathtaking journey, daily habits will get you there.
Grab your pens and notebooks, and let's dive into the wonderful world of daily writing habits and how they can transform your craft–and perhaps, even, your life.
1. The Power of Consistency
Like the gentle ripple of waves against the shore, consistency in writing can create magnificent results. Engaging in a daily writing habit allows you to establish a deep connection with your craft and also establishes grooves in your brain like other consistent actions will. It becomes easier because your body and brain come to expect it, and often even revel in it.
When you take the time to immerse yourself in writing every single day, you'll find your creative well overflowing with ideas, insights, and perspectives you never knew you had. It's through consistency that the magic of writing truly unfolds.
For my first real book (and I say that because I had a few “tries” in my practice along the way), I sat down with a subject and interview him about his extraordinary life. Then in what little spare time I had, I committed to compose and edit and write.
The first weeks were filled with great excitement, but as that began to slowly wind down into the craft and habit, my enjoyment grew. Soon I couldn’t wait to write in what snatches of time I could pull from the ethers of my very busy, single mom and businesswoman life at the time, with a rich and full spiritual practice, too. Daily, I would find at least 15 minutes, and whenever possible, full hours became glorious.
2. Strengthening the Writing Muscle
Just like any other skill, writing requires practice to build your writing muscle. It's through this consistent exercise that you'll notice improvements in various aspects of your craft, such as grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, and storytelling techniques.
And the more you practice, the more your words will grow more confident with your stories becoming more captivating.
3. Unleashing Your Creativity
Writing is a gateway to the boundless realm of imagination! The more I have gotten to know writers from all backgrounds and walks of life, the extent of their imaginations to create scenes, plots, twists, and enjoyable works have astounded me. Daily writing allows you to give yourself the permission to explore uncharted territories, to venture into the unknown, and to let your creativity run wild. WILD.
Each day becomes an opportunity to unravel new characters, build intricate worlds, and weave enchanting narratives…and yes, this can be true for nonfiction as well. The best nonfiction books include compelling storytelling: intriguing characters, engaging flow, and principles we can learn from–either wrapped within the stories or spelled out.
Soon, you'll find your creative reservoir brimming with limitless possibilities.
4. Overcoming Writer's Block
Ah, writer's block—a formidable foe that haunts nearly every writer at some point. However, with a daily writing habit, you possess a powerful weapon to slay this dragon! The more you write, the more you train your mind to overcome the hurdles of creative stagnation.
When you face the blank page each day, you'll discover that writer's block slowly loses its grip on you. Your words will flow more effortlessly, and the act of writing itself will become a sanctuary of inspiration.
Some people think they must wait for inspiration. One of my favorite authors told us a story at our Inspired Writers Retreat. Gary said he had a great friend, a bestselling and prolific author, and Gary asked him about inspiration. The man said that he compared his writing when he waited and waited for inspiration and then wrote it–against his work when he just sat down and got to work.
The result? The same level of great writing!
Don’t wait for inspiration. Get into the habit and begin to write. Then write something more meaningful as you dig in. It’s like warming up muscles to get the blood flowing.
Often, that’s all your brain needs: consistency and action.
5. Discovering Your Writing Voice
Every writer has a unique voice that yearns to be heard. Perhaps you have heard it calling you, begging to be expressed on the page. It's through daily writing that you can uncover and refine your own writing voice. Trust yourself. I have often said you could pull two dozen people in a room and have them write on the same topic, and if each one trusted themselves, there would be completely - and enjoyably - two dozen fresh, unique voices, opinions and creative expression on the final work.
Your Writing Voice is you. It’s your background, skills and knowledge, yes, but it’s also your experiences, your point of view, your unique lens of the world that no one on the planet has.
As you allow yourself to write freely and authentically, you'll gain a deeper understanding of your personal style, tone, and perspective. Your words will carry your essence, and readers will resonate with the sincerity and authenticity embedded within your work.
You don’t have to start a daily writing challenge habit all alone! On July 1st, the Summer of Writing Adventure begins!
During this exercise of 14 days of writing prompts, you will transform your writing journey into an exhilarating adventure! Through consistency, practice, and exploration, you’ll witness the growth of our craft, the blossoming of our creativity, and the emergence of our unique writing voice.
So, dear writer, I invite you to pick up your pen, unlock the doors of your imagination, and set sail on this thrilling writing adventure. Embrace the joy of daily writing, and watch as your words come alive on the page! The world is waiting to hear your stories, so let's embark on this transformative journey together.