The Myth of Success: Debunking the Illusion of Habits in Your Writing Journey

If you scroll down any blog you'll find post after post about writing habits, writing routines, productivity hacks, and almost ritualistic practices some writers will swear you need or you will never write your novel, or it will never be a best-seller, or the sexy singles in your area won't be able to find you. (am I showing my age here?) 

I'm not here to tell you that habits are bad. I'm sure if you scroll through my page you'll find an article or two (or ten) talking about the benefits of habits.

 I am here to tell you that some of the most common habits that some have claimed to be the key to their writing success - can easily be debunked as an illusion and are not things that will cause you to fail if you do not include them in your writing routines. 

Let's bust some writing myths many on the internet try to pass off as fact.

Myth 1: Quantity Over Quality - The Output Trap 

The more books you have the more likely it is that you will be successful or if you're not writing 10,000 words a day you're not a real writer.  

Quality will always win over quantity, instead of focusing on meeting arbitrary word count targets that someone claims that they write each day focus on your storytelling. Create scenes and imagery that draw your readers in. 

I can sit at my computer every day and write until my fingers fall off, but when it comes time to edit I would probably have to throw away a good chunk of them. I keep my writing sessions only as long as I have something to write or my eyes need a break and so should you.

Myth 2: The Early Bird Fallacy 

Waking up at the butt crack of dawn with the birds to write is the only time to write. 

I'll bust this one just by saying that if you ask me to wake up at any time before 8 am I am going to be useless - I probably won't even remember how to turn my computer on let alone how to form complete sentences. 

Most writers I know write when they can, sure this means some of them write in the morning, but these are also the writer friends I have who try to get me to watch sunrises with them and go for jogs. 

Everyone has their own unique creative rhythm. 

I write mostly at night because that's when I feel most creative, but you may find waking up before the birds is when you are most creative. 

Whether you write by morning light or midnight oil the only part that matters is that you are writing at a time that aligns with your own writing habits.

Myth 3: A Routine Set In Stone 

You must have a writing routine and if you deviate even the slightest bit you are doomed to fail. 

^ This person - needs to relax. 

Sure having a writing routine is a fantastic way to get your mind in the right headspace for writing. 

I use one every day, but it's more so for my peace of mind. I make sure my cat is asleep somewhere, the dog doesn't need to go out, my father doesn't need anything, and I have a cup of tea and a snack at my desk. I usually check some sites for only a few minutes and then I open up my writing software and start going. It's not much of a routine, more of a checklist to make sure that those things that could distract me from writing are taken care of beforehand. 

While rituals are beneficial you must allow for flexibility as with all things sometimes life just gets in the way.

 Myth 4: A Dogma for the Dog House 

You must write every day or you are not a writer. 

Should we all write every day? Maybe - but should we force ourselves to write every day when it can affect us negatively if we miss it?

Telling writers that they need to write every day - when those who usually make claims such as this don't even adhere to it themselves, only creates a sense of guilt in the writer who may only have a few days a week where they can dedicate a consistent time to writing.

Well, I say that the second writer is more successful than the first because they've learned one of the most important rules of writing - balance.

While we should all strive for some sense of consistency in our writing, forcing ourselves to make some unattainable and unsustainable daily goals can just set us up for failure. 

---

The online world of writing advice is unfortunately just as subjective as the rest of the online forms and while many only wish to help it's important to dispel that there isn't any one specific habit or writing trick that will make you a better writer. 

The only thing you need to do to become a better writer is to write - 

and read. 

Now go off and do one of those or both if you have the time. 

With love, 

B.K. xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints most days at 10:30 pm EST

____________________________________________________

*If you've liked what you read you can show your support by subscribing, pledging your support, or leaving me a tip that directly supports and aids me as a writer.

By joining Vocal+ you can earn more per read on every story you publish on Vocal.

_____________________________________________

This story was originally posted on Medium. Join Medium as a member for just $5/month to access premium content and help me continue creating articles like these. You can also earn money by posting your own stories using Mediums' Partner Program.

Help power my writing with a virtual coffee! Starting at just $1. Your support keeps my creativity brewing. Treat me to a cup! ☕

Thanks for your support and happy writing!