Surprisingly Simple Strategies for Daily Writing Practice
Written on
Chapter 1: Embracing Daily Writing
Have you ever encountered the phrase "use it or lose it?" This adage holds true for various aspects of life, including writing. If you neglect to write frequently, your skills may deteriorate. Therefore, cultivating a daily writing habit and compiling a body of work is crucial, even if it's not your best effort!
Let’s be honest—most of what you produce initially might not be great unless you have a natural talent for it. I recently revisited some of my past articles and wondered how I overlooked those errors. Did I genuinely believe that piece would go viral? We’ve all been there! Everyone starts at the beginning with no audience, no views, and no reads.
However, by committing to regular writing, regardless of quality, you will inevitably improve over time. The adage holds: practice is essential! But how do we ensure we’re consistently putting words on the page?
Let’s shift our perspective away from the standard advice of writing at a specific time each day or hitting a certain word count. Those strategies are effective, but let’s explore a different route.
Section 1.1: Dreaming Big
Begin by envisioning your aspirations as a writer. Are you dreaming of a writer's lifestyle? Picture yourself on a beach, crafting your next bestselling novel while sipping on a mimosa. Are you motivated by the financial rewards? Perhaps you aspire to earn hundreds or even thousands monthly. Is it the freedom to work from home that excites you, freeing you from the daily commute and the 9-to-5 grind?
Whatever your vision is, consider creating a vision board or jotting it down in your journal. A vision board is a fantastic motivational tool, allowing you to collage images of your dream home, the books you wish to write, and more.
When journaling about your goals, aim to express them in the present tense. For example, "I am thrilled to have sold my first book" or "I appreciate the abundance of readers I have."
Section 1.2: Taking Small Steps
Now, let’s focus on the smaller, actionable changes you can make daily to turn those dreams into reality. Achieving significant goals requires making minor adjustments. What specific changes can you implement? Instead of napping, why not write? Instead of binge-watching another episode of a series, dedicate that time to writing. Always carry a notebook and pen with you (I’m old-fashioned; I prefer writing by hand) to jot down ideas whenever inspiration strikes.
Inconsistency won’t lead us to our writing aspirations. Sporadic writing—one day here and there—won’t suffice. James Clear, in his book on habits, states: “If you can get 1 percent better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done.”
Just a 1 percent improvement each day can yield significant results over time. If we aim to enhance our writing skills, we must make small changes today.
Subsection 1.2.1: Join the Conversation
What minor adjustments can you make to achieve your writing dreams? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s motivate one another! Remember, improving by just 1 percent today could mean leaving a supportive comment on another writer's article.
Thank you for reading! Don’t forget to hit that follow button for more insights!
Chapter 2: Consistency is Key
In this chapter, we will explore the significance of maintaining a consistent writing habit and how it shapes your growth as a writer.
The first video title is "5 Easy Ways to Practice Writing Every Day - YouTube." This video offers practical tips to help you incorporate writing into your daily routine, regardless of your current level.
Next, we have "5 Ways to Create a Writing Habit | #NaNoWriMo2020 - YouTube." This video presents strategies to foster a consistent writing habit, especially useful during events like NaNoWriMo.