All my clients have the same problem:
“I don’t have time to write!”
I have this struggle. It’s real. The reality is that time is set. We cannot request for extra hours or make more minutes in our day. Even if we could, the struggle would still be real. So, making time? Not going to happen. But taking time, now that is a win.
While working with clients, I have discovered resources that jumpstart an author’s writing habit. Here are the 4 methods I recommend the most.
1. 750 Words
The developers of 750 Words website created it for building a daily writing habit. The site embraces writing—pure, private brain dumps. No one can view your words. Also, when you complete your writing, 750 Words gives you fun data about your entry. The line graphs show how productive you were throughout the writing time. Then, the colorful circle graphs display the mood and tone of your writing. Yes! You can learn your voice through this site and build a writing habit. It’s a twofer! Of course, if you are drafting chapters for your book, then copy and paste into a saved file.
2. Themed Writing Months
Certain months are dedicated to the art of writing.
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November – National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo
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April – National Poetry Writing Month, also known as NaPoWriMo
Authors have been taking advantage of these themed months, because of their structure and camaraderie. You do not have to write in the specific to take part. From every part of the globe, writers are setting their keyboards and notepads ablaze with content DAILY. Wrapped into a 30-day, day-by-day challenge is the gift of a writing habit. And! (yes, another twofer.)
The labor of writing love is not lonely. Tears and laughter are dished out and shared. Friendships are made. Feedback is given. You can join the official challenge through the official sites. Or do what I do: get involved in a writing group committed to the challenge.
3. Blog Your Book (or do a blog challenge)
For my first book, I blogged portions of the content before copying and pasting it into the rough draft. This helped me to write regularly and experience real-time feedback. (ha! Yes, you are catching on – a twofer.)
I also recommend the blog challenges. You can do a Google search. What I found most helpful was a Pinterest search. There are images and infographics of month blog challenges. For myself, I saved a handful of Pinterest postings. Every other day, I find a topic that most appeals to me and write about it. If you want to follow it in chronological order, that is OK, too. The heart of the matter is building a writing habit.
4. Journal
Journaling is like a pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow. Whether you are writing about the storm that blew through, or the beautiful sun rays warming the skies from gray to blue, journal writing will cultivate a writing habit and… your writing voice. Within the privacy of your journal, you can play around with your writing style, word choices, and tone. A writer’s playground.
Journaling will also create content for your future book. I tell my clients who journal, “Your book is in your journals.” (Check out this throwback video talk on journaling.)
These four methods have helped get me on back on track with my writing habit. Even if I have been out of the habit for years (two years was the longest.) From time to time, we all fall out or get knocked out of our routine. Life keeps happening. Using one or a combination of the four methods can keep your writing habit happening, too.