How often “should” Authors write?

Writers understand that in order to improve their writing and produce quality work – they have to actually write. How often we write and how much we “should” write, is up for debate. Like searching for the perfect diet, many writers are perpetually seeking the ideal formula for an effective writing routine.

As writers, we tend to believe that writing should come easy and be enjoyable most of the time. If we struggle, there must be something wrong. Either we believe we aren’t cut out for writing, or, we have yet to develop the perfect writing routine – one that is effortless and pleasurable.

In truth, an effortless and purely joyful writing routine doesn’t exist. Writing on a routine basis isn’t always fun, nor does it ever become easy per se. Just as ballerinas may dislike the practice but live for the performance, a writer might feel pained by the writing but love a completed project.

The path to get the writer from beginning to end starts with practice, or what we call, a writing routine. What is considered an effective routine will look different for each writer.

In this article, I will explore the meaning and significance of a writing routine and how writers may be impacted by such routines.

Should I be writing daily?

After reading The Productivity Equation, by Esmé Wang, in Poets & Writers, I was struck by the potential damage caused by those who advise writers to engage in a rigorous daily writing routine. While rigor and routine hold different meanings for each writer, the sentiment is, writers “should” write several hours daily.

This “one-size-fits-all” prescription leaves out a big portion of the writer population and runs the risk of excluding writers who do not have either the luxury of time or the inclination to write daily.

Ms. Wang discusses her health struggles as well as the challenges of other writers who are limited by different parameters, such as parenthood. She conveys the importance of doing what one can - when one can, highlighting the significance of incremental writing sessions, and how such sessions can substantially advance writers.

As Ms. Wang suggests, quantity certainly doesn’t trump quality. Therefore, when you are considering what routine is best for you, it can be helpful to determine which practices will lead to quality work vs establishing a routine for the pure satisfaction of producing.

While a daily routine might work for Stephen King, for others, writing daily may simply produce words without improving the quality of work. It’s like Bart Simpson writing the same phrase on the chalkboard, over and over again. He may be a prolific writer, but he isn’t saying much.

What is the difference between routine and habits?

Often, these terms are used interchangeably but they are actually quite different. A habit is considered a behavior or action occurring with little or no thought, like being on autopilot. Whereas a routine is a conscious and deliberate effort to frequently repeat a pattern of actions or behaviors. Eventually, routines require less intention and effort, but the differentiation remains, routines are never automatic.

Why does this matter? It matters because so often, writers are told that if they just repeat their writing routine frequently enough, then “poof” it will become a habit – and once it becomes a habit – it no longer requires conscious effort to sit down at the desk and write. In the great words of Cher Horowitz, “As if!”

Nir Eyal, a bestselling author, and behavioral design expert asserts, “We want to turn everything into a habit. Eventually, some routines can become habits, but not every routine can become a habit.” This is important for writers to understand because those who hope to transform their writing routine into an automatic habit, may set themselves up for unrealistic expectations regarding the emotional struggles intrinsically associated with writing.

Creating a writing routine (or a writing habit) will not eliminate the difficulty of writing or automatically help you to produce good work. Routines are not a panacea for writer’s block or for developing good stories, they’re one piece of a very large puzzle.

Establishing a routine might extinguish some of the frustration and discomfort, but there will inevitably be days when you want to toss your laptop into the garbage – no matter how shiny your routine looks.

What are the benefits of routine?

From a neuroscientist perspective, habits and routines, free up space in the brain to learn and perform other tasks. As humans, we are social and ever-evolving creatures. We are meant to continually learn, grow, and as Spock liked to say, prosper. When we engage in habits and routines, we expend less mental energy, freeing up space for other endeavors.

Psychologists and other mental health professionals believe routines can reduce stress. "Carrying out routine activities reduces stress by making the situation appear more controllable and predictable," says Indumathi Bendi, M.D., a primary care physician at Piedmont. Every decision we make throughout the day requires time, effort, and thought. Eliminating those decisions creates space for more ease.

From a writer’s perspective, routine helps keep one accountable and mentally limber. Any artist or athlete will likely agree, a practice routine may not “make perfect,” but it certainly improves whatever skill you are aiming to improve.

Are there negative aspects of routine?

While routines work well for many writers, sometimes, routines can contribute to creative stagnation. If you are writing daily, in the same office, at the same time, for a specific word count and find you have hit a wall, changing your routine can be a powerful antidote to feeling stuck. Exposing yourself to new stimuli, or taking a vacation can birth new ideas and bouts of creativity.

What do successful writing routines look like?

Routines vary widely among writers. Whereas one writer might write daily for a specific time or for a specific word count, other writers may set aside time to write on the weekends. Others may only write once a month in a cabin in the woods, and some may only write when they partake in a class or workshop.

As defined above, routine doesn’t necessarily mean daily, but it does mean partaking in actions or behaviors on a repetitive basis.

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, wrote a piece titled,  Daily Routines of 12 Famous Writers. All of the writers mentioned wrote daily, yet they each had a very different routine.

Haruki Murakami gets up every morning at 4:30 am to write for 5-6 hours and then goes for a long run, followed by bed at 9:00 pm. He likens his writing routine to survival training and emphasizes the importance of physical health in relation to his mental and creative health.

Maya Angelou required a hotel room and requested no decorations or disturbances. She would arrive at 6:30 am, leave at 2:00, and edit her day’s work at home. For the great Ms. Angelou, physical separation from home was imperative to her writing routine.

The one thing all twelve writers have in common is an unapologetic acceptance of their writing routine. Each of them discussed their routine with great ownership and trust in their process. Not a single writer had a routine devised on behalf of someone else’s advice, they all figured out what worked best for them.

Are some writers better suited to work spontaneously?

Yes! Some writers write best when the feeling strikes them. They might only write when they feel inspired to do so. For these writers, establishing a routine might feel too restrictive.

It’s worth mentioning, there aren’t a wealth of writers who fit into this category – but they do exist and can be just as productive as a writer with a regular or daily routine.

How do I develop a routine that will work for me?

I wish I could give you a personalized formula, but unfortunately, devising a workable routine often requires trial and error. Creating a productive routine begins with honestly assessing your weaknesses and strengths.

If you know your weakness is procrastination, perhaps having a daily writing routine will help eliminate the opportunity for procrastination. If you find strength in community, a daily routine might be less important, as long as you have a writing class, workshop, or an accountability group to keep you motivated.

Ask yourself:

·       When am I the most creative? Am I most creative at night, in the morning, or when I have fewer distractions? Do I feel more creative in nature or in the office – is it a combination of the above?

·       If I implement a daily routine and don’t stick with it, am I likely to give up or can I adjust my routine accordingly? If you know there’s a good chance you might burn out from feeling too structured, don’t force yourself to write daily – determine what is manageable for you. This might mean writing on a certain day or days of the week instead of writing seven days a week.

·       What part of writing is the most challenging? If sitting down at the desk is the hardest part of writing, perhaps implementing your routine first thing in the morning will help eliminate avoidance. If writing your ending is the most challenging, perhaps you can create a separate practice just for writing the ending.

·       What part of writing do I love most? Do you notice yourself hesitating to write but once you finish a scene you feel exhilarated? Do you struggle with first drafts but love to edit? When do you light up and how can you harvest that energy and put it towards developing a better routine?

For many writers, writing regularly (4 days/week let’s say) works best. Just like an athlete, the mental muscles for writing tend to work best when limber and warmed up. However, writing frequently doesn’t always have to mean working on the same project.

Writing in a journal, or writing a letter to someone, also qualifies as writing and contributes to honing one’s writing skills. Likewise, reading also enhances the writer’s skills and can be part of a writer’s routine - and a welcome break from writing.

How do I stick with a routine?

Life as well as our obligations are continually shifting. We must accept that change and therefore change to our routine, is inevitable. Routines will evolve over time, just as the writer too will evolve.

The goal of a routine is twofold, to produce words and to improve one’s writing. If we look at routine in this way, it might not seem so overwhelming. If you view routine as the only way in which to produce quality writing, the routine then becomes more intimidating.

If we understand there are many ways in which a routine can be devised, we are more likely to adhere to the one we develop for ourselves than one that has been prescribed to us.

Conclusion

The most important factor in designing your writing routine is, it’s uniquely tailored to your needs. Daily writing can be helpful for many, but not for everyone. Some writers produce their best work when they write spontaneously, while others do their best work under a regimented routine. As Esmé Wang mentions, small, incremental bouts of writing add up and contribute to improved writing skills and viable work.

Take other people’s well-intended advice with a grain of salt and know on a deeper level, you are the best authority to develop an effective writing routine for you.