Mastering Your Writing Routine – Part 6: Creating and Sticking to a Writing Routine

6. Part 6: Creating and Sticking to a Writing Routine

• Why routines are crucial for sustained focus

• How to establish a routine that works for you

• Adjusting your routine when life changes

Blog Post: Creating and Sticking to a Writing Routine – Part 6 of Focused Writing Series

As a writer, developing and sticking to a writing routine is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure steady progress on your projects. A routine transforms writing from a sporadic hobby into a consistent habit, allowing you to break through procrastination and stay focused on your goals. However, creating and maintaining a writing routine isn’t always easy, especially with the many demands of daily life.

In this post, we’ll explore how to create a writing routine that suits your personal schedule, how to stick to it even when motivation is low, and why routines are essential for long-term writing success.

The Importance of a Writing Routine

A writing routine doesn’t just ensure that you make progress—it helps you develop a sustainable writing practice. Routines help you:

• Build Consistency: Writing regularly trains your mind to stay focused, reducing the likelihood of writer’s block and increasing productivity.

• Reduce Procrastination: Having a set time for writing every day removes the ambiguity of “when” you’ll write, making it easier to overcome procrastination.

• Improve Writing Quality: Consistent practice enhances your skills, as the more you write, the better you get at writing.

• Create a Sense of Accomplishment: A routine helps you set clear goals and milestones, so you can track your progress and celebrate small wins along the way.

While inspiration and motivation will come and go, your routine will be your anchor, keeping you moving forward even on difficult days. So, how can you create a routine that works for you?

1. Assess Your Life and Writing Goals

Before you can create a routine, it’s important to assess your current schedule and goals. A routine that doesn’t fit into your life is bound to fail. Here are the first steps:

Determine How Much Time You Have for Writing

Look at your current weekly schedule. Consider your work, family commitments, and personal time. Where can you carve out writing time? Whether it’s 30 minutes in the morning, a few hours on the weekend, or during lunch breaks at work, finding the time is the first step to creating a routine.

• Track Your Time: If you’re not sure where your time is going, try tracking your daily activities for a week. This will help you identify pockets of time that could be used for writing.

• Be Realistic: Don’t set yourself up for failure by scheduling too many writing hours. Start small and gradually build your routine. Even writing for 20 minutes each day can add up to significant progress over time.

Set Clear Writing Goals

It’s also important to have clear, measurable writing goals. These goals should align with your overall project and be broken down into achievable steps. For instance, if your goal is to write a novel, your smaller goals could include:

• Writing 500 words per day

• Completing one chapter a week

• Finishing the first draft by a specific date

Breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable steps makes them feel less overwhelming and more attainable.

2. Establish a Consistent Writing Time

Consistency is crucial when it comes to building a writing routine. You need to create a specific time each day for writing, so it becomes a habit.

Choose Your Prime Time

Everyone has different times of day when they’re most productive. You may find that your mind is sharpest in the early mornings, during lunch breaks, or late at night. Determine when you’re most likely to be focused and creative, and schedule your writing sessions around that time.

• Morning Writers: Many writers find that writing in the morning, before the distractions of the day set in, works best. Try waking up 30 minutes earlier to write.

• Night Owls: If you’re more creative at night, schedule writing time after dinner, once your other responsibilities have been fulfilled.

• Midday Break: If you have a lunch break during work, use this time to write. Even 20–30 minutes of writing during the day can add up over time.

Create a Writing Ritual

A writing ritual is a series of small actions that you repeat each time you sit down to write. These rituals help your brain transition into a creative mode and prepare you for focused work. It could be something simple, such as:

• Brewing a cup of tea or coffee before writing

• Sitting at a specific desk or in a particular chair

• Listening to a specific type of music or sound

• Taking a few minutes to read something inspirational before starting

Rituals help signal to your brain that it’s time to write, creating a sense of routine and discipline.

3. Set Specific, Achievable Writing Goals

Without clear goals, it’s easy to get distracted or discouraged. Goals help keep you on track and motivated to continue.

Create Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Goals

• Daily Goals: Aim to write a set number of words each day (e.g., 500–1,000 words). These smaller, daily goals prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and help you make steady progress.

• Weekly Goals: At the beginning of each week, set a larger goal for the week ahead (e.g., finish a chapter, write 5,000 words). Weekly goals give you a bigger picture and help you track your progress.

• Monthly Goals: For longer-term projects, set monthly goals that align with your bigger writing goals. For example, “Finish the first draft of my novel” or “Submit three blog posts.”

The key is to make your goals specific, measurable, and achievable. Celebrate your achievements along the way to keep yourself motivated.

4. Minimize Distractions and Stay Focused

The biggest obstacle to maintaining a writing routine is distraction. To build a successful routine, you need to minimize distractions as much as possible.

Create a Dedicated Writing Space

Whether it’s a corner of your living room or a quiet spot at the library, creating a dedicated writing space can help signal to your brain that it’s time to focus. Keep this space organized and free from distractions like social media, TV, or other tasks.

Limit Digital Distractions

In the age of constant notifications and multitasking, digital distractions are one of the biggest threats to your writing routine. To stay focused, try the following strategies:

• Use a Distraction-Free App: Tools like FocusWriter, Freedom, or Cold Turkey can block distracting websites and apps during your writing sessions.

• Turn Off Notifications: Use “Do Not Disturb” mode on your phone to prevent interruptions.

• Set Time Limits for Social Media: Limit your time on social media apps using screen-time tracking tools or productivity apps.

5. Track Your Progress and Stay Accountable

Tracking your progress is essential for staying motivated and on track. It helps you see how far you’ve come and how close you are to achieving your goals.

Use a Writing Tracker

A writing tracker allows you to log your daily word count or hours spent writing. This can be as simple as a spreadsheet or a dedicated app, like Scrivener, Evernote, or Writing Stats. Seeing your progress visually can motivate you to keep going.

Accountability Partners or Writing Groups

Having someone to hold you accountable can help you stick to your routine. Whether it’s a writing group, a fellow writer, or a friend, check in regularly to discuss your progress and challenges.

• Writing Groups: Join a writing group where you share your goals and progress. This can be a physical or online group, where members offer feedback and support.

• Buddy System: Pair up with another writer and agree to check in with each other about your daily word count or writing accomplishments.

6. Be Flexible and Adjust When Needed

Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and there will be times when you need to adjust your writing routine. The key is not to be too hard on yourself.

Life Happens

There will be days when you’re too tired, or life gets in the way of your writing time. Don’t give up on your routine entirely. Simply adjust your expectations, and return to your routine when you’re able. Consistency doesn’t mean perfection; it means showing up, even if you only write for a short time.

Review and Revise Your Routine

Every few months, reassess your writing routine. Are you achieving your goals? Are you finding it hard to keep up with the schedule you’ve set? Don’t be afraid to tweak your routine as needed.

Conclusion: Building a Routine That Works for You

Creating and sticking to a writing routine is a game-changer for any writer. By setting aside dedicated time each day, eliminating distractions, and staying focused on your goals, you’ll make steady progress on your projects and build a sustainable writing practice. Remember, routines are about consistency, not perfection. Start small, be flexible, and adjust your schedule as necessary.

The key to success lies in making writing a habit—a routine that fits into your life without overwhelming it. Once you establish a routine that works for you, writing will become an integral part of your daily life, and you’ll find yourself making steady progress toward your writing dreams.

Stay tuned for the next post in our series, where we’ll explore Staying Motivated and share tips for pushing through the days when motivation feels low.

How do you structure your writing routine? Do you have any tips or tools that help you stay on track? Share your thoughts in the comments below!