Becoming a Writer

02The Importance of Habit in Writing

Let's face it, we've all been there. Staring at a blank page, waiting for that magical spark of inspiration to ignite our creativity and set our words ablaze. But here's the thing, waiting for inspiration to strike is like waiting for a bus in the middle of the desert. It's not a practical approach to writing. Instead, what if we told you that the secret to successful writing lies not in sporadic bursts of inspiration, but in the mundane, everyday habit? Yes, you heard it right. Habit. The very thing we often associate with monotonous routines and boring chores is the key to unlocking your writing potential. In "Becoming a Writer", Dorothea Brande and John Gardner argue that writing should be treated like a job, not a hobby. This means showing up every day, whether you feel like it or not, and putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Treating writing as a job requires discipline and consistency. It's about setting a regular writing schedule, creating a conducive writing environment, and setting achievable writing goals. It's about overcoming common challenges like writer's block by showing up and doing the work, day in and day out. But how do you cultivate good writing habits? Well, it's not as daunting as it sounds. Start by setting a regular writing schedule. This could be an hour every morning, or two hours every evening, or whatever works for you. The key is to stick to it, no matter what. Next, create a conducive writing environment. This could be a quiet room in your house, a local coffee shop, or a park. The important thing is that it's a place where you can focus and write without distractions. Finally, set achievable writing goals. This could be writing a certain number of words each day, or finishing a chapter each week. The point is to set goals that are challenging, but achievable. Discipline and consistency in writing can significantly impact your productivity and the quality of your work. By sticking to a regular writing schedule, you can ensure that you're always making progress, no matter how slow it may seem. By creating a conducive writing environment, you can eliminate distractions and focus on your writing. And by setting achievable writing goals, you can keep yourself motivated and on track. So, the next time you find yourself waiting for that elusive spark of inspiration, remember this: writing is not about waiting for the right moment, it's about creating it. And the best way to create that moment is by cultivating good writing habits. So, set a schedule, find a quiet place, set some goals, and get to work. Because the truth is, the magic of writing lies not in sporadic bursts of inspiration, but in the mundane, everyday habit.

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