5 Steps To A Daily Writing Habit In 2017 (& An Opportunity For Free Accountability)
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How we begin something has a direct impact on the outcome. Think about it. When you wake up, and how you begin the day impacts what the rest of the day looks like. If I get up and immediately hurt myself, or something intrudes on my routine, that sets the tone for a bad day. When I was commuting, if I was up late, then I’d end up missing my bus, my train, and the result would be arriving at work late.
How we choose to begin anything will ultimately impact the outcome.
So as a new year dawns, it marks a great opportunity to begin again. Which in writing terms, means finally getting around to managing a daily writing habit.
Honestly, I’ve been a writer for over a decade and I still struggle with this. No matter how far we are on the writing journey, we all need support (you can tweet that).
So here’s 5 practical steps you can take today to build that writing habit – and an opportunity to get the support you need.
Firstly, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You don’t have to write 1000 words a day, and you don’t have to spend an hour each day writing. You can spend 5 minutes writing 100 words if you like. Just give yourself five minutes each day to write, and begin with that. It can make all the difference.
Second, find a regular space to write. We can train our brains to associate a specific space or place with a specific activity. So find a place where you can spend a little time writing each day and write there. It can be anywhere. I used to write on the train to work, using my phone, and that was my regular writing space. So it can be your bedroom, trip to work, lounge, desk, kitchen, a coffee shop, anywhere.
Third, find a regular time to write and commit to that time. We all work differently and have different schedules, so all of us will work best at different times. For me, around 10am is the best time to write, or possibly late at night. Yours may be totally different. So figure out what time works best for you, and commit to writing at that time each day.
Fourth, take a writing sabbath. Take a break from writing one day each week. I know this seems counter intuitive to getting a daily writing habit going, but it will actually benefit your habit. It will give you breathing space, one day each week, to lay it down, take the pressure of yourself, not worry about writing, and get healthy perspective. Then you can come back the next day with fresh eyes, and more clarity and motivation.
Fifth, get some accountability. We all work better in community. So having a group of people who can encourage you if you’re struggling, offer healthy feedback, and keep you accountable for your habit, can be crucial to maintaining a writing habit.
And it’s here I want to help you.
A Chance For FREE Accountability
I need this accountability and support as much as you, so want to invite you to join me in a daily writing challenge for 2017.
This will essentially be a group of people committed to writing 6 days a week through 2017. If you sign up, then in I’ll send out writing prompts on a particular theme the first week of each month and then for the rest of the month, weekly writing tips. The first one begins next Monday 9th January.
You’ll also get access to a writing community on Facebook to give you the accountability you need, and where you can interact with me and other writers. And there’ll be other opportunities for you to develop your writing gift and find your voice.
This is a great, free opportunity for you to get into a daily writing habit and find your voice in 2017, and I’d love you to be involved. So fill in the form below and sign up, and you’ll get an e-mail with more info and a couple of freebies to get you started.
Let’s make 2017 a year where we find our writing voice and get the writing habit we’ve always wanted. Come and join me on this journey today!
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Thank you for creating this community and the challenge. I’m looking forward to 2017 in this community.
Thanks so much Jaco – great to have you on board!
These are great tips. I always find myself struggling once I’ve written a ton of pieces in a row, I feel as though I just run out of creative fuel! Not putting pressure on yourself is a great way to start.
xo Kathryn
http://www.fashionablyfrank.com
So glad this was helpful Kathryn, looking forward to having you as part of the challenge. 🙂
Hi James, I love this idea. I write for my blog all the time, but I forget to write for fun! I’m excited to see what some of these writing prompts will be.
Hi Jenn, so glad you’ve signed up for the challenge – hope the prompts are helpful for you!
James, I love your heart toward serving and helping other writers!!!
Thanks Jim, your support & encouragement means so much to me. Thanks.
I have been looking for consistency in my writing and yur blogpost answers all my doubts- thank you for such a wonderful post!
I have signed up and am hoping to stay on this course for jan atleast!!
Wish you a very happy new year!!
Hey Shalini, so glad the post was helpful, hope you really benefit from the course, it’s going to be a lot of fun!
hey there… i’m interested in coming on board, but with work, uni and commitments, i’m not sure ill be 100% able to be 100% committed and i would like to know if this is OK!!! i appreciate that 5 mins a day isn’t a lot to ask, but I just need to be honest of my restrictions!
Hey Cheryl, it’s totally OK. 🙂 Absolutely no pressure at all – sign up anyway and just do what you can, accountability means support as much as anything, and know how life can be busy, for sure. So totally OK. 🙂
James, a great post for the new year. I’ve had a hard time finding accountability as I’m pretty much an introvert and don’t like groups, crowds, and masses of people. So to think about a Facebook group with accountability of the kind you’re offering is an exciting thing. Thanks so much.
You’re so welcome Sherrey – so glad to have you on board, hope it’s helpful!
Hi James! I’ve been a long time subscriber of your blog and still remember the first post I read here. Soon after, I think you took a break, then came back and I recall feeling happy to see your email!
I am looking forward to the writing challenge and interaction with the community. Thank you for doing this.
Wow, thanks so much Vidya, great to hear from you. Looking forward to the writing challenge too!
Greetings in the Name of The Lord, James ~
I have been writing my Autobiography since August 2005, which I commenced in the International House of Prayer Room, in Kansas City USA, where I was on full-time staff as an Intercessory Missionary, from September 2003- October 2006.
I returned home to England at the end of 2006 and am now living in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. My writing progress these past ten years has been sporadic, with many challenges and delays: a new computer, software and programme updates, Windows 10, health issues, etc. I have no-one to read my work, comment and encourage me to finish. However, I have now set out some specific aims:
Aim no. 1: To be nearing the completed manuscript writing by Easter; then final reading and put into one document by 1st May, 2017 and submit my manuscript to the publisher. The publishing process will take 3-4 months to complete. With the aim of a published book by the end of August 2017!
Aim no. 2: Visit my family and three grand-children in Australia mid-October – to mid-November 2017, after 5 years!
Thus, I would very much appreciate the encouragement and support from your group of Authors/writing colleagues ~ Thanks!
On 18th August 2015, The Lord ‘Suddenly’ provided a writing contract with Xlibris: A subsidiary of Penguin Random House, which offered: Total cost: £3,100; one third free from the publisher and two thirds provided by two wonderful Christian friends! Praise Him!!
However, over the following two years, progress has been slow due to illness, which has now been completely Healed! Allelulia!
The section which I am now commencing is the ‘Miraculous Season in America’. Living totally by Faith for those three years; where He was true to His word: Philippians 4:19 ‘My God shall supply all my needs according to his Gloriouos Riches in Christ Jesus, my Lord!’
I now intend to read the relevant sections of my daily journals from this season. The reason being three fingers on my left hand have arthritic joints (I’m now 71) and consequently very slow tying and mistakes.
So, although I’m thirteen days behind all of you, I would joyfully appreciate joining your support group and blogs.
I currently have a ‘technology block’ with the voice recognition, due to the training of my voice and the programme closing continually after a sentence or two. So please: What can I do about this? I have searched all the ‘How to use Cortana’ sites with no solution!
Abundant Blessings to you all & Happy New Year 2017 with our writing fruitfulness!!
Love in Him, Carol~Grace
Hi Carol, thanks for your comment – so inspiring what you are doing, amazing stuff! And do feel free to sign up and join us, you are very welcome!
Hi John, I have joined the Fb writing community, also now my blog address: https://eyeofthestormministriesblog.wordpress.com
Having difficulty finding my way around all your information, but will get the hang of it in time. Blessings, Carol~Grace
Very good tips from you there! I need to be better at this ?
Aloha, James—
Are you still running this program in 2018? I’d like to jump on board if you are. I’m writing a manuscript. Looking for help. Mahalo.
Sydney
Hi there! Yes, I’ll still be running this – I’ll be starting to send out prompts again soon. I’ll let you know when it’s running again!