How Do You Stay Consistent While Writing?

Many beginning writer asks the same question, “How do I stay consistent when writing?” If you feel excited one day and you totally lose your motivation the very next day, don’t worry you are not alone. The truth is, consistency has nothing to do with motivation and it’s about building a small habit. If you write a little every day, even when you don’t feel like it, you will slowly build momentum. And that’s how most writers actually complete their stories.

In this article, you will discover ways to be consistent in simple ways that don’t overwhelm you. If you want a more general view on writing your first book, read our article, How to Start Writing a Book.

What does it mean by that?

Staying consistent doesn’t mean writing for hours each day and it also doesn’t mean to write perfectly. It simply means,

Showing up regularly
Writing Even When It Is Hard
Not stopping completely

Think of it like this, writing is a daily act and even small progress counts.

Some days it will be easy, some days won’t be, but both are consistent.

How to Be Consistent While Writing

Let’s see how we can break it down into simple steps on how to be consistent. You don’t have to do everything at once, just start with one or two steps and it will increase from there.

Start Small

Don’t attempt to write a lot at first. Start with something simple such as,

200 words a day
Or 15 minutes of writing

This makes it easier to carry on and helps to be consistent. The point here is not progress, but consistency.

Choose a Fixed Time

Pick a time in your day when you it will be able to write. It could be,

Morning before work
Night before sleep

When you write at the same time each day it becomes a habit. If a set time doesn’t work, try going with a flexible time instead like anytime in the evening.

Create a Simple Routine

Do something small before writing. For example, open your document and read what you wrote yesterday (not to correct). This habit helps your brain to switch into writing mode. Over time, this routine becomes a trigger for making it easier to start.

Don’t Wait for Motivation

Many writers stop their writing because they don’t feel inspired. But here’s the truth, you don’t need to get motivation to write but you need discipline in your journey. Even if you write a couple of lines, it counts. Motivation usually doesn’t come before you start writing, but only while you start writing or after. But, you can get more on How to Stay Motivated While Writing a Book.

Focus on Writing, Not Editing

If you are constantly correcting sentences after each sentence, then you are going to get stuck. Instead, write first and edit later. It’s always better to have a rough draft than no draft at all. Editing too soon is one of the biggest reasons that writers lose momentum.

Track Your Progress

Keep track of your writing days, by marking them on your calendar on your daily word count. Seeing your progress makes you want to keep on going. Even the mere presence of a streak can be highly motivating.

Know How Do You Avoid Burnout While Writing a Book to stay consistent in writing.

Examples/Mini Tips

Example 1

Let’s say you decide that you will write 300 words each day.

In one week it will be 300 × 7 = 2100 words. That’s a pretty good start to your story already.

Example 2

You keep track of each day and you write it on a calendar. After a couple of days, a chain will form and now your goal becomes simple, don’t break the chain. This practice is effective because it helps you to focus on consistency for weeks rather than on results.

Mini Tips

Keep your writing set up simple
Don’t overthink on your story
Write down every idea you have
Write in a distraction free space
Write even if it’s only for a few minutes

Common Mistakes Made By Beginners

You may get excited and write a lot in one day and you get tired and stop for many days.
There is no ideal time to write and you just have to start.
Missing one day is fine, but missing for days, it will break your writing habit.
Every writer has a different speed, you just focus on your own journey.

Progress is personal and your concentration and consistency are more important than speed.

FAQ

1How to be consistent when writing a novel for beginners ?

Start small and write daily. Even 200 words a day is enough. The key is to do this without long breaks.

2What if I don’t feel like writing?

Write a little anyway. Even 5 minutes helps. Starting is oftentimes the hardest part.

3How long should I write daily?

You don’t need to do it for long hours. 15-30 minutes is sufficient if you do it regularly.

4Is it okay to miss a day?

Yes, missing one day is fine. Just make sure you don’t stop altogether.

5What if I miss multiple days?

Start again without guilt. Consistency is built up over time, not destroyed by missing a few days.

Final Thoughts

And consistency is what makes an idea into a novel. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep writing.

Start small. Stay regular.

What’s important is not how fast you go, but that you keep going.

And little by little your story will get bigger. One easy step gets you started on your writing journey, just sit down and write.

How to Start Writing a Book: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

How Do You Avoid Burnout While Writing a Book?