How to Turn Writing into a Habit Instead of a Hobby

Do you want to write a book?

Do you want to take your writing to the next level instead of scribbling down a few words every once in a while and turn it into the foundation for writing a full-length book this year?

Or even two books?

Turning your writing hobby into a writing habit is one of the simplest things you can do besides breathing.

To Build a Habit You Must Have Consistency

I’m going to give you the advice that I normally hate to see given to new authors as it puts too much pressure on them, but is detrimental to building your career as a writer.

You need to write every day.

Yes, I’m currently ducking from the book I’m sure you just threw at my head. I’m positive that you’ve heard this advice so many times you’re as sick of it as I am, but hear me out first.

I still stand by my previous article on the subject.

https://shopping-feedback.today/journal/you-need-to-write-every-day-to-be-an-author-is-the-worst-advice-i-have-ever-heard%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cstyle data-emotion-css="14azzlx-P">.css-14azzlx-P{font-family:Droid Serif,Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:1.1875rem;-webkit-letter-spacing:0.01em;-moz-letter-spacing:0.01em;-ms-letter-spacing:0.01em;letter-spacing:0.01em;line-height:1.6;color:#1A1A1A;margin-top:32px;}

Writing every single day with no days off is draining and if you have to physically drag yourself to the computer by your shirt collar every single day to write then you’re going to hate writing.

Writing every single day for 365 days of the year is unrealistic and should be considered a torture method.

I’m not writing on days like Halloween or my birthday and there is nothing anyone can do to make me.

However, the reason I’m giving you this advice as a new writer is that if you write every day for at least two weeks you’ll accomplish many things.

• You’ll learn the best time of your day for you to write

Some writers are more creative in the morning while others, like myself, prefer to write towards the end of the day when there is no other business to be done for the day, no more chores, nothing to do but writing and sleep.

Sometimes this means the sleep is pushed back if I don’t want to stop writing.

By scheduling yourself to write every day you’ll find that free time to write down a few thousand words, or you’ll make it.

• You’ll start to create the consistency of writing

If you write every day for two weeks without fail, on the first day of that third week you may find yourself walking over the computer all on your own without even realizing you’re doing it until you’ve sat down ready to write.

It’s just like brushing your teeth. Someone made you put toothpaste on a brush and brush your teeth first thing in the morning and the last thing at night and now you don’t even have to think about it. It’s become a habit and almost a second nature thing to you.

This will start to happen with writing as well.

• Just think of all the words you’ll write in those two weeks

Even if you’re only able to write 200 words a day, in two weeks you would have added 2,800 words to your novel.

That’s enough to be an entire chapter.

If you keep going at that rate you’ll have 72,800 words at the end of the year.

That’s a full-length novel.

(For this example I’m using 70,000 words as your novel length as it should be the minimum you aim for.)

Now Imagine if you push that number of words just a bit father to 500 words every single day.

500 words a day = 2.6 books

700 words a day = 3.64 books

1000 words a day = 5.2 books

I can’t write 1000 words in a day, that’s too many.

This article you’re reading is almost a thousand words and it only took me 30 minutes to write.

Words add up fast when you’re writing and if you easily get into the flow of writing you could have that and more before you even realize it.

Write every day for two weeks

You’ll see a vast improvement in your writing because like all things practice is the key to success.

When the two weeks are over you should have found which days of the week work best for you and which time of the day is ideal for your creativity.

When you have these days figured out continue to write as much as you can. If writing on a Monday didn’t work for you, then simply don’t write on Monday, but make sure you are back at that desk on Tuesday ready to go again.

Try aiming for five or six consistent days of writing to really build a strong habit.

Keep writing as long as you are getting words out of your head and onto the page you’re doing a great job and I’m proud of you for it.

Happy writing!

With love,

B.K. xo

If you love what you've read you can also show your support by buying me a cup of coffee to fuel my writing. 

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/barbaraking

If you'd like to have my stories sent directly to your inbox you can subscribe to me here for free or consider supporting me with a $7 a month subscription

https://barbaraking.substack.com/

Other Places to Find Barbara King

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram