I’m going to let you in on a secret: I write more novels than most people. If you’re like me, you probably don’t believe in the myth of writer’s block and think that anyone can write as much as they want if they really want to.
I’ve written eight novels so far (and counting) – which means I’ve learned a few things along the way about how to keep my butt in my seat at those moments when it feels like there’s nothing left to say or write. Here are some habits that help me produce consistently:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Consistent daily writing sessions lead to increased productivity in novel writing. |
| 2. Setting specific word count goals helps maintain focus and progress. |
| 3. Incorporating regular breaks during writing sessions improves overall creativity. |
| 4. Outlining and planning your novel in advance streamlines the writing process. |
| 5. Embracing imperfection and avoiding constant editing during the first draft boosts efficiency. |
| 6. Maintaining a distraction-free writing environment enhances concentration. |
| 7. Experimenting with different writing times and environments can uncover productivity patterns. |
| 8. Reading widely outside your genre can provide fresh insights and inspiration. |
| 9. Connecting with a supportive writing community fosters motivation and accountability. |
| 10. Reflecting on your progress and adjusting your habits as needed ensures long-term success. |
I Don’t Wait For Inspiration
Writing is a hard, lonely job. It’s also one that can be rewarding in its own way, but that doesn’t mean it has to be all fun and games. For example, sometimes you have to stare at a blank page for four hours to construct even one sentence.
That can be frustrating! But no matter how many times you feel like quitting, remember this: inspiration only comes when we start writing.
So don’t wait for inspiration to start working! When an idea strikes me (and trust me, they do), I write it down immediately so I won’t forget about it later on or lose track of what my story should be about. Then I go back and revise it until it’s ready for publication.
Don’t worry about whether what’s coming out makes sense or not; just get everything down on paper as quickly as possible before your creativity fades away into nothingness again!
If something is holding you back from starting in the first place—maybe because you’re worried about how readers will react?
Or maybe because you’ve got other things going on in your life?—then try reading these tips from famous authors themselves who’ve shared their best advice with us over time:
Enhancing creative writing skills requires consistent effort and dedication. Explore these 17 actionable tips to improve your creative writing prowess and take your storytelling to new heights. Dive into the details in 17 Things I Can Do to Improve My Creative Writing Skills.
I Don’t Write Every Day
If you asked me if I write every day, I would say no.
It took me a long time to realize that writing doesn’t have to be scheduled and planned out in advance, or forced into place by guilt and fear of not getting work done.
Writing is something that comes naturally for some people, but for others (like me), it can feel like an obligation or chore that we dread completing each day before we go about our lives. This isn’t healthy or enjoyable for anyone!
I think the key here is to treat writing like any other habit you want to develop you have to train yourself into doing it regularly until it becomes second nature and doesn’t take much thought at all.
If you try forcing yourself into writing every day without giving yourself enough rest in between sessions (which are necessary!) then your body will eventually rebel against this treatment by becoming more resistant to the idea of writing altogether and who wants that?
I Make Notes
In my experience, it can be helpful to have notes in a variety of places. I use a notebook and sometimes the computer, but there are also some other options you might consider: mind maps, spreadsheets, text files…the possibilities are endless!
In addition to keeping track of your writing habits and productivity techniques (like this article), you can also make notes on how you’re going to produce more novels.
You’ll find yourself entering information about characters and plot points into your database–but if you have any other note-taking methods or tools at your disposal, feel free to make use of them!
In a world dominated by algorithms, it’s crucial to develop writing strategies that stand out. Discover practical insights and techniques in real world writing tips that can help your work shine amidst the digital noise. Read more at Real World Writing Tips That Beat the Algorithms.
I Write Character Profiles
Writing character profiles is one of my favorite habits. I’ve found that when I write them, my characters become more real to me and their interactions in the story come out more organically.
Character profiles are exactly what they sound like they are short descriptions of your characters that give you a snapshot of who they are. A good character profile will include:
- A physical description (hair color/length, eye color, height/weight)
- Their background information (family history/job history/place where they grew up/etc.)
- Their personality traits in bullet points or brief sentences (good qualities or bad qualities)
I Read My Work Aloud To Myself
This one is a bit tricky because it’s not something that every writer does. I know people who swear by this habit and others who have never tried it. For me, though, reading aloud to myself has helped me to catch errors in my writing that I would’ve missed otherwise.
When you read your work aloud (which should be done in the privacy of your own home or office), you can better hear how the rhythm of your sentences sounds like music and how they flow from one idea to another.
You can also catch places where there are awkward pauses or clumsy transitions between paragraphs or scenes all things that are easy for readers to see but harder for writers themselves because we’re usually.
So familiar with our work that we don’t notice when something doesn’t work as planned!
Reading out loud also helps me hear my characters’ voices more clearly; I’m able to hear which words they use most often (this will probably vary based on what character(s) are speaking at any given moment).
And whether those choices sound right for them based on their personality traits so far established by their dialogue and behavior thus far within the story world.
As well as outside influences like social media interactions which may influence their personality development over time throughout future installments/sequels etc., so again: reading outloud helps me get into character!
Writer’s block can be a roadblock on your creative journey, but it can also serve as an opportunity for growth. Learn how to embrace and overcome writer’s block with innovative methods in How to Take a Writer’s Block and Use It as an Opportunity to Improvise, and watch your creativity flourish.
I Enjoy The View When I Can!
Get outside. I live in a lovely neighborhood and have the good fortune of being able to walk out my front door and get some fresh air, which is critical for my mental health and overall productivity.
Exercise regularly. Regular exercise not only helps you sleep better but also reduces stress by releasing endorphins into your body that make you feel happier and more relaxed.
Get enough sleep every night and avoid screens before bed! Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy mind, body, and soul (and therefore writing).
You can’t produce creative work if you’re tired or groggy from lack of sleep. In addition to making sure that you get enough rest each night, remember not to use any electronic devices before bedtime it’s been proven that staring at screens before hitting the hay causes stress levels in people who wake up groggy if they fall asleep with their phones in their hands!
If My Characters Don’t Behave, They Get Replaced
You can’t have an unreliable narrator if you don’t know what your character is going to do next. This means that your characters need to be consistent with themselves, but also with each other and the setting.
A good way to set up this consistency is by having a detailed back story for each one, including their flaws and motivations.
So that when you write them into a situation that might test their resolve or point of view, they behave in ways that are consistent with the character you created out of those traits.
Your characters should also behave consistently with other characters in the story world. If one character hates another because they were best friends as kids and now hate each other because one betrayed him/her years ago (and this betrayal has been told in detail), then don’t let them get along without some sort of explanation!
Crafting compelling micro fiction requires a unique approach that resonates with your readers. Explore proven techniques to create impactful micro fiction that captures your audience’s imagination. Find out more at Tips for Writing Micro Fiction That Resonates With Your Audience.
If A Scene Doesn’t Work, It Gets Cut
As a writer (and a human being), I know that our best work comes from when we’re in the zone, and nothing else will do.
But as a full-time freelancer and part-time freelancer, I also know that sometimes you gotta write something just for the sake of writing it.
For example, my next novel is about to come out but I’m already working on another one behind the scenes because I want to be able to stay fresh on both projects. This means I might have three novels in progress at any time!
But while all this sounds great in theory work when you feel like working; don’t work when you don’t feel like working it’s not always easy to achieve those goals if your job requires certain deadlines or meeting certain goals every month/year/quarter.
There’s only so much self-discipline one person can muster before they start feeling overwhelmed by their ideas (or lack thereof).
I Use A Timer When Writing By Hand
There are a lot of reasons to use a timer when writing by hand, but for me, it boils down to this: I’m more productive when I don’t have time to worry about the details of what I’m writing.
When you’re outside your head and in the flow, it’s easy to get lost in the story and forget things like spelling and grammar because they don’t matter as much if you’re deeply engaged with what’s happening on paper.
But once those details become relevant again (like when you want someone else other than yourself or your beta readers to read your work), then those nit-picky things can become an issue in terms of whether or not people enjoy reading what you’ve written.
So how do we fix this? Use a timer! You can use any kind a kitchen timer will do just fine since all it needs is an alarm that goes off after X amount of time has passed (you can also set any countdown app on your phone).
Set it for about 30 minutes every day before bedtime (or whenever works best for you). Then make sure there are no distractions nearby that could potentially pull away from writing time: put away phones/tablets/laptops;
Shut off radios/TVs; turn off any lights except one lamp shining softly enough so that its light doesn’t distract from writing.
But bright enough so that you know where everything is without having to strain too hard at night to create as little visual noise as possible around yourself during these times!
I Write In The Morning And At Night – Not In Between!
I write in the morning and at night – not in between!
I’m a morning person. I am far more productive, creative, and inspired first thing in the morning than later on.
That’s why I tend to do most of my writing then. My day tends to get busier as time goes on, so that’s also why I try not to let too much time pass between writing sessions during a given day (such as what happens if you take a break from your novel at lunch).
The point is: you should choose your favorite time of day for writing based on when you feel most energized and relaxed!
Unleashing creativity involves understanding the balance between inspiration and effort. Delve into the exploration of creativity and how it intertwines with your efforts as a writer in Explaining Creativity: Just How Much of the Work Comes From You. Discover the insights that can help you harness your creative potential.
Conclusion
If you’re curious about how I write and what habits I have that make me produce more novels, this blog post should give you some insight. The truth is, there’s no one way to be a writer we all have different approaches to the craft.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over my years of writing books, it’s that consistency is key. Just like any other skill (or habit!) in life, the more consistent you are with your writing practice, the better your chances of success become over time!
Further Reading
Develop Effective Writing Habits: Explore strategies to cultivate productive writing habits that can lead to consistent progress in your creative projects.
Creating Good Fiction Writing Habits: Discover methods to establish effective writing habits specific to fiction writing, helping you stay motivated and focused on your storytelling.
Mastering Your Writing Habits: Learn how to optimize your writing routine to boost your efficiency, creativity, and overall output as an author.
And here’s the “FAQs” section in markdown format:
FAQs
How can I improve my writing habits?
Developing better writing habits involves setting achievable goals, creating a consistent writing schedule, and minimizing distractions during your dedicated writing time.
Are fiction writing habits different from other writing habits?
Yes, fiction writing habits may have unique aspects, such as focusing on character development, plot structure, and creating engaging dialogue. However, the core principles of discipline and routine apply to all writing endeavors.
How do writing habits contribute to becoming a successful author?
Establishing effective writing habits helps you maintain regular progress on your projects, build a body of work over time, and refine your skills, all of which are essential for achieving success as an author.
Can writing habits help overcome writer’s block?
Yes, consistent writing habits can reduce the occurrence of writer’s block. When you’re accustomed to writing regularly, you’re more likely to keep your creative momentum going even when faced with challenges.
What role does motivation play in forming writing habits?
Motivation can serve as the initial spark, but habits are what sustain your writing practice in the long run. Relying solely on motivation can be unreliable, so cultivating consistent habits ensures steady progress regardless of your current motivation levels.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.