How to Write Every Day

Tips for Creating a Daily Writing Practice

Jan 3, 2009 Samantha Garner

"Write every day" - It's one of the most popular pieces of advice given to writers, but how is it done? Here are some tips for making daily writing easier.

Try these tips for writing every day. Find the ones that work best for you and soon writing will become a daily routine.

Write at the Same Time Every Day - or Don't

Too many writers can get discouraged at the prospect of writing at the same time every day. Their schedules may be too unpredictable to pin down a specific time to write. However, you don't need to write for a long period of time. If you can find even 20 minutes each day to write - when you wake up, on your lunch break or while dinner is cooking - it will help you to develop a daily writing practice. On the other hand, writing at the same time each day isn't necessary. The most important thing is that you do write, so carry a notebook with you and take some time each day - no matter what time it is - to write.

Don't Edit While You Write

Editing as you go along can be another factor in a writer becoming frustrated and losing heart. Try to silence your inner editor and don't think about if what you're writing is making sense, or if it fits with your story. Just relax and let your creativity flow.

Don't Worry About What You Write

Whether you are working on a story or novel, or even if you have no project on the go, you can still write every day. Writing prompts are a great way to get started. Try one each day and don't forget to save what you write - you never know what you might find useful for a future writing project.

Write About Anything

As with the previous point, don't feel you need to be working on a project to write every day. Write down interesting phrases as they come into your head. Write about something notable you witnessed that day. Let your mind wander and see what interesting writing ideas you come up with.

Make a Dedicated Space for Writing

You don't need to have a spare room laying around in order to create your own writing space. Designate an area of your living space for your writing. It doesn't have to necessarily be the actual spot where you write, but fill it with books you enjoy and pictures or quotes that inspire you, and soon you will associate it with writing. Make it comfortable as well - writing doesn't have to be painful!

Fit Writing Into Your Daily Routine

Let those around you know that you plan to write every day, or schedule it into a day planner. Set alarms for yourself when it is time to write. Try to fit your writing around certain activities you do each day, such as your morning coffee or after brushing your teeth at night. Making writing part of your daily routine will help it to seem like less of a strange task and more of your day-to-day life.

Writing every day isn't a concept to be wary of. The goal of daily writing isn't necessarily output; rather, it is about making writing second nature. Simply make it work for you and your lifestyle, and it will soon become second nature.

The copyright of the article How to Write Every Day in Resources for Writers is owned by Samantha Garner. Permission to republish How to Write Every Day in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

The more you write, the better it is