One of my habits is to write my blog posts ahead of time. I was going to write H is for Habits for August. But when I went to my InScribe file, I spotted a draft for “H is for Honesty” that I’d written weeks prior. Thankfully, with some editing, I can now share “I is for Ideal” habits, ones I hope to take on with more fervor.
(At the end of part 2, I’ll share the link that inspired me to write these posts.)
Ten Habits for an Ideal Writing Life: (Part One)
1. Read
Reading regularly and widely broadens our vocabulary and increases our knowledge. The more we know, the more writing prompts and ideas we’ll experience. It’s especially important to be familiar with the genre we write in. Meanwhile, reading outside of it inspires our creativity and develops our voice in ways we may have missed otherwise. Agents, editors, and publishers often seek unique voices who can help readers see old topics from a new vantage point.
Freshness impresses.
2. Time
The best time to write is when you’re sitting at your computer according to your predetermined schedule. It’s not wise to wait until we feel like writing. Although I adore writing in my journal each morning, it’s not the same as writing a book. Like my quiet time, I need to keep a set time for working on manuscripts and shorter projects. In July I realized that I needed to bump my social media and InScribe routine to later in the morning because they were robbing my most productive writing hour. When I write before facing the world, my writing spins a lovelier web.
We need to find what schedule works best for us and then guard it with all our hearts.
3. Goals
We’re all familiar with the advice that aiming for nothing nets nothing. It’s also not helpful to aim too high. When we’re kind and reasonable with ourselves, we set word count targets that don’t discourage us.
In mental health circles, it’s often suggested we aim low, so we get a bit of a high for always meeting our targets. It’s more likely we’ll do a lot better than the easy goals we set. And then we’ll feel invigorated by the success. It’s also helpful not to compare our goals with other people’s.
4. Space
Our writing space can help or hinder our workflow depending on how seriously we take our personal preferences. I’m a writer who works best in quiet solitude. When it’s noisy outside my creative space window, I play calming classical or turn a fan on so that I’m not distracted by the birdsong and sirens. Some people love to write in cafes. (Hmm. How do they avoid listening in on conversations? I’d spend the whole-time people watching.) Do what works.
For me, that means treating my writing like a day job. I get up earlier than the rest of the family and drink my first cup of java alone in the den. Sometimes I write several short poems before I get to my writing projects. Silent solitude is my soul’s caffeine. But you may find noise and bustle your best writing buddies. Do what works for you. No judgment here. (Are you immune to the eavesdropping bug?)
5. Boundaries
Boundaries safeguard the gifts God gave us. It’s okay to say no to things that will interfere with your ability to write at regular times. I’ve been the grandmother who woke at 4 am so I could squeeze in writing time before babysitting. That season proved to me that where there’s a broken boundary, there’s a new one available to make up for it. I went to bed early and spent little time watching movies etc.
I don’t miss that schedule, but I’m glad I got to help my family members during that busy season. Writers have every right to treat their writing time as a job rather than as a hobby. We may need to teach others to respect our need for uninterrupted work time.
God will give us the grace, wisdom, and power to do so if we commit our way to Him.
Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5 NLT
Wendy L. Macdonald is an inspirational blogger and podcaster who loves to photograph nature on Vancouver Island. Her byline is: “My faith is not shallow because I’ve been rescued from the deep.”
