3 Habits of a Successful Writer

“The secret of it all is to write… without waiting for a fit time or place.” – Walt Whitman

You’ve heard me say it before—writing is a superpower! Before I became an author and blogger, I valued the practice of journaling, writing my thoughts, feelings, memories, and fears down on paper. Expressing myself through written language has been a part of my lifestyle for decades now. It releases things inside of me that I subconsciously don’t recognize or that desperately need to come out. Writing has helped me understand more about myself, my life, and my faith.

*Learn more about the importance of writing and the practice of journaling in my previous posts linked below:

Writing is a Process

Writing isn’t meant to be done quickly. It takes time to process your thoughts and make sense of your feelings. Writing takes patience. It isn’t something that can be rushed. Often the first draft isn’t going to be your best. But it’s where you start. It’s your first brainstorming session that transforms into the final product. Even when you’re journaling, it takes time and patience to sort through your emotions and the circumstances happening, to learn from what you’re going through while documenting the details along the way. Good writing isn’t instantaneously produced.

Three Successful Habits

Because writing is such a process, it’s important to have practices to help you be productive. Here are three essential habits I’ve implemented to keep me focused every time I write:

1. Making Time & Staying Motivated:

You can't expect much writing to get done if you never prioritize the time for it! Whether it’s taking a moment to jot down ideas or setting aside hours to work on your latest piece, scheduling designated time to write is essential—even if it’s just a few minutes each day!

While writing daily is important, you must acknowledge that your productivity each day isn't going to look the same. Some days, the juices will flow and you’ll be on a writing roll. On other days, you’ll barely get anything out—and that’s okay! The point of having a designated time is to practice writing, and part of that process is sitting with your thoughts. Leaving and returning to your work later can be one of the best habits to develop your ideas. Give yourself grace in the process! It’s the practice of making time that’s essential, not the amount of writing that gets done.

Staying motivated is vital while writing. Being a writer is different every day, and each time, you experience a different level of productivity. Keeping regular routines, establishing goals, and identifying objectives are helpful to keep you focused! My routines include things as simple as writing in the morning, having my tumbler full of water, listening to instrumental music, and Googling ideas for inspiration as I go. When I make goals, I typically have a weekly list, then prioritize daily goals to keep things achievable. My objectives coincide with my goals, so I usually have an assortment to choose from each day that helps me stay on track with my overall writing plans. When I journal, I seldom have goals or objectives because I simply want to express myself and document life.

Creating a productive environment is also crucial to help you stay focused and motivated when you’re writing. For me, I have a particular space in my office where I always go when I’m writing an important piece, like drafting my memoir or working on a blog post. This quiet space helps center my mind on my current project. For journaling, I like more casual and cozy settings, like our living room or bedroom, where I feel more comfortable divulging my thoughts and feelings.

2. Taking Breaks & Managing Distractions

This is a huge deal for me! Even though I love to write, it doesn’t always come easy. Especially when I hit writer's block, I can get so distracted by the fact that I’m not writing, that I keep my mind preoccupied with other things—checking my email, scrolling through social media, updating my to-do list—when in reality, my brain needs a break and some redirection instead of distraction.

Here are some practices I've developed that help me take a break and manage distractions:

• Breathing: sometimes I just need to do some deep breathing. I’ll pull out my yoga mat or lay on the couch, set my timer for 5-10 minutes, close my eyes, and simply breathe. This helps me relax and quiet my mind.

• Coloring: I keep a coloring book and colored pencils nearby when I need a quick brain break. Moving my focus from writing to coloring helps my brain shift to a less demanding task.

• Walking: Oftentimes, I need to get up out of my chair and move! Even if it’s just a stroll through my house or walking laps downstairs, getting the blood flowing helps recenter my mind, and the change of scenery helps me refocus, too.

• Small Tasks: Completing small tasks when I need a short 10-15 minute break has been life-changing. Simply folding laundry, tidying up the living room, or putting some things away helps me take a breather and gives me a mental break.

• Reading: Processing a story (rather than thinking about writing) helps my brain refocus. It gives me a chance to slow down and recenter my thoughts.

  
  

None of these brain-break ideas take long, they are just little practices that can go a long way to help you reach your writing goals.

3. Remembering What Matters:

It’s important to stay focused on who YOU are as a writer. Staying true to your story, your voice, and your feelings is of utmost priority.  Whether you’re writing personal entries in a daily journal or a professional draft for a best-selling book, staying self-aware is a beneficial practice.

Especially when editing, being open to changes and modifications helps make your writing your very best. Never compromise on your story, voice, or feelings, but accept criticism and critiques that will enhance what you're trying to say and make it more impactful for your readers. Although your message might be your reason for writing, never forget that it needs to appeal to your audience. Thorough editing ensures quality work, and a reader's response is crucial for your writing success!

Believe in yourself. You want to write for a reason—so do it!

• Know your strengths

• Identify your weaknesses

• Persist through challenges

• Pour your heart into every word

• Don't give up

• Pay attention to detail (and edits)

• Always be authentically YOU

• Write with integrity and honesty

When you remember what matters, your writing transcends anything you could've imagined. It gives you the motivation, purpose, and passion to share your story, whether it's fictional, factual, public, or private, your writing becomes a lifeline. It doesn't matter if you're qualified; it matters that you have something to say. So journal it, Dear Diary your thoughts, start a blog, write a letter, begin that manuscript. Don't sit on the sidelines waiting for someone else to write the message that you're supposed to tell.

Your story matters.

What habits will you implement to become a successful writer?

“No one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell.” – Charles de Lint