Your Daily Writing Tips
By amy wilson
editor and writing teacher.
Daily writing tips are a favorite topic for any writer looking to establish a regular routine and practice. Do you need help developing the writing habits that will get you to a more regular writing schedule? Are you unsure of how to make the most of the time and energy available to you, so that you can become a better and more successful writer? Look no further. In this article, I’ll discuss what it takes to develop a daily writing practice, including tips for setting yourself up for success. We’ll also discuss some of the mental tools needed for successful writing, such as perseverance and discipline.
Daily Writing Tips: Setting Up Your Writing Space
One of our most reliable daily writing tips is to find and create a space where you can write without distraction. It could be in your own home or office, in a library or cafe, or even outdoors, if that works best for you. Or it can be anywhere—with a set of noise-canceling headphones. Wherever it is, make sure that your writing space is comfortable enough that, when you sit down to write, all other thoughts drift away and your focus stays on producing quality work.
If you’re finding time to write and work on your craft, make sure the space where you’re sitting serves you. This is one of our most common-sense daily writing tips.
To do this effectively, it helps to have all of your supplies ready and within reach—from paper and pens or pencils to laptop chargers and notebooks—so that once you begin working nothing stands between you and productivity. It’s such a shame to carve out that writing time, only to not be able to focus or move forward.
Daily Writing Tips: Developing Positive Habits
It’s important to develop positive daily habits when establishing your writing practice. This means setting aside specific times each day or week so that you can really dig into your writing.
Per popular pop psychology books like Atomic Habits or The Power of Habit, you probably already know that new habits take time to create and reinforce. Make sure that your writing times are properly scheduled into your day. And set realistic goals. Writing every single day might not be available to you at this point in your writing career. Don’t set yourself up for failure by requiring a daily habit—set realistic goals instead.
Another one of our daily writing tips is that you should track your progress and reward yourself for meeting milestones. Take breaks, if you want to, ask for feedback, and read often. Reading like a writer is a skill in and of itself.
All of these steps are necessary in order for you to stay motivated and maintain your focus on producing quality work over time. Your schedule doesn’t need to be daily or even weekly, but the best daily writing tips focus on one thing: regular, reliable time to write. Start by carving out even ten minutes on a regular schedule, then adjust as you get into the swing of things.
Daily Writing Tips: Mental Tools
In addition to physical tools like pen and paper or laptops, there are also mental tools and resources that aspiring writers need to cultivate. These include things like perseverance (the ability to continue despite difficulty), self-discipline (the ability to control yourself and avoid distraction), creativity (the ability think outside the box), problem-solving skills (the ability to tackle issues head-on), communication skills (for discussing ideas with others, like beta readers, a critique group, or even freelance editors who you bring onto your team), and self-awareness (being able to identify areas of improvement and be in touch with your emotional life).
All these skills must be developed if one wants long term success as a writer. So don’t just research daily writing tips—be on the quest for personal improvement in all areas. It’s a tall order, but it’s good life advice, not just writing or publishing advice.
Whether it's creating an environment conducive for consistent productivity or developing positive daily habits that keep motivation high over time, becoming a better writer requires dedication as well as mental tools like perseverance and discipline. Achieving success requires hard work, but any big task can be made easier by breaking down your goals into small bites.
With these daily writing tips in hand, anyone can develop the habits they need to become an intentional writer.
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As an agented writer and highly experienced editor, Amy Wilson can quickly identify strengths and opportunities for growth in your plot and prose, help you build a compelling submission package, and provide the encouragement you need to reach your writing goals. Take your writing to the next level with Amy’s professional eye.
