How to Build a Daily Writing Habit That Actually Sticks

Start Small (Consistency is Better than Perfection)

One of the biggest mistakes made by new writers is that they set unrealistic goals. You don’t need to write 2,000 words each and every day to develop your writing habit. That does not usually work and it doesn’t make sense when we plan to start small. Simple writing goals that work are,

• Minimum 200 words per day
• Write for 15 minutes
• Write one paragraph a day
• Write one page per week

These small goals take the pressure off and make it manageable to write. Small goals may seem simple, but it is actually often what make a habit sustainable. Once it becomes your habit, you will usually find yourself writing more than you planned. The key idea is simple, consistency produces momentum.

Develop a Writing Routine That Works for You

Every writer has her or his own rhythm. Some writers are most creative early in the morning, others like to write at night when the world is quiet. The best writing routine is one that you can realistically maintain. If your schedule is ever-changing, consistency may come from committing to writing in a regular time window rather than a perfect hour at the same time every day. Ask yourself the following questions,

• When do I feel most creative?
• When do I have the opportunity to write undisturbed?
• What time should I be able to set aside each day realistically?

Even if you only have 20 minutes at lunchtime, then that can be your writing time each day. Many great novels were written in daily sessions that were few in number. What is important is not the length of time, it’s the habit of showing up.

Eliminate Distractions During the Writing Process

Modern life is so full of distractions, notifications, social media and non-stop scrolling can easily mess up your writing focus. When it comes to writing try to create an environment where your mind can fully focus. Try the following simple focusing strategies,

• Turn off notification on your phone
• Write in a quiet location
• Use distraction-free writing app
• Set a timer for writing time

It can also be helpful to spend a minute to clear your mind or to write down distractions before you start. And even a 20-minute concentrated writing session may produce more writing than one hour of typing at the computer with a wandering mind. Think of your writing time as an appointment with your creativity, Protect it.

Write Even When You Don’t Feel Like It

Some days, writing seems like magic and on other days, it is like trying to push a heavy door. This is completely normal. Professional writers know something important, that motivation often comes after taking action.

If you sit down and write, even if it’s hard, you will often find that the words start pouring out of your mind. Not all writing sessions must be brilliant pages, some days you might,

• Write messy drafts
• Edit yesterday’s work
• Brainstorm new ideas
• Sketch character details

All of this still counts as writing. Even a little session on a hard day helps you to stay connected with your work. The goal is not perfection. The goal is showing up.

Keep Track of Your Progress (It’s Motivating)

Tracking your writing progress can make a great difference when it comes to keeping a daily writing habit. When you see your progress increase, your motivation often increases with it. Easy ways to keep track of your progress in writing,

• Keep a daily word count log
• Use a habit tracker
• Write on a calendar marking your writing days
• Celebrate writing streaks (every week)

And remember, progress doesn’t necessarily mean word count, it can also mean planning, revising or solving problems in your story. Watching your progress accumulate, week to week and month to month, can be incredibly motivating. One day, you will look back and realise that hundreds of small writing sessions helped to create a whole book.

Knowing how many pages in a novel will help you to set a realistic daily writing goal.

Give Yourself the Permission to Write Imperfectly

One of the biggest enemies of creativity is perfectionism. Many writers give up writing because they feel their writing is not good enough. But here’s the truth, First drafts are meant to be messy.

If you don’t want to make some of the common early mistakes the aspiring authors make, read our Common Beginner Writing Mistakes article.

The goal of the first draft is simple, put the story out of your head onto the page. You can always revise later in the editing phase. Drafting always allows you to write freely, and editing is where you can refine and correct your work. Every great novel began with a messy first draft. What is most important is to finish the story.

If you are ever feeling stuck, writing prompts can also help you loosen up and keep going.