Finding a Writing Routine

A how-to for making a commitment to write.

This post is part of the Write With Me series. For more like this, check out the writing your novel page.

There are only so many hours in a day.

Between getting the kids off to school, commuting to and from work, foraging at our local supermarkets, and calling the hair salon for the fifteenth time to really make sure they have you scheduled so there's no repeat of last time when you showed up and they were like "I don't know I guess we goofed on our schedule and you'll be stuck with that terrible haircut for your engagement photos," there's really a lot to take care of every day—even if some of those events are once-in-a-lifetime occurrences (or so say the folks at the salon).

Given this, how do we make time to write?

For some writers, it's a matter of squeezing it in whenever they can—typing away on their phones while on the subway or scribbling on tiny notepads kept in their back pockets. These can be effective strategies for many, and I don't begrudge anyone their preference. If something works, it works.

In my case, though, developing a consistent writing routine proved most effective in ensuring I write as often as possible for as long as possible, and at a time I know will be specifically designated for writing each day.

It Starts with a Decision

Some writers will say writing is like breathing—that without it, they'd die. This makes for great hyperbole, but, technically speaking, no one is going to actually die as a direct result of not writing. No matter who you are, writing is ultimately a choice.

We have to decide—every day, week, or however often works for us—that we are going to write at a particular time. Not only that, we then have to commit to that time; it won't commit itself to us.

But what about—?

These are the thoughts that get in the way of us following through on our commitment to write. Sometimes these what-abouts are unavoidable, but other times it's that we're simply choosing to embrace the what-abouts in lieu of following through on our decision to write. It happens.

The important thing is to not let a single victory in the what-about column leave us feeling defeated. A loss is a loss, but it doesn't mean all is lost. There's a way forward still, if only we just had some sort of plan…