If you are a writer, how do you discipline yourself to write every single day?

Answer 1

Oscar Wilde said something like the way to write is to apply your backside to a chair. Hemingway had a special little outhouse in Key West where he had his manservant lock him in for a certain many hours each day.

The key is to first discover your creative period. Mine is quite late - after 1 am. Secondly discover your creative place. I prefer my upstairs office in my bedroom where I can look out onto the empty street.

Start with a length of time. Spend it there. Write or don't but spend the time applying your backside to the chair. Gradually you will be able to increase your writing time as well as up your productivity. I now work from 1 am to 5 am with naps in the afternoon and evening and average between 2,500 and 3,500 words a night. Consider those your "office hours" = whatever they may be. No phone calls, no distractions - just work.

I have certain little OCD's ... I have a favorite keyboard. Most of the keys are worn blank, but I refuse to part with it. I have the feel of it. I make my son take it apart and dishwash it about every 6 months. I also avoid stimulants like coffee and coke when I am working - caffeine is counterproductive - it is a depressant in the long run. You crash afterwards.

Just set yourself up a nice place and a nice time and work. It's the same as any other person who works at home. It is your job and it gets done daily.

Hope that helps. Pax - C

Answer 2

::Snorts:: There isn't enough time in the days to write every single day when you have life, a job, kids... there are a lot of distractions. Yes, there are people out there who write every single day because it is "What they want". I'm not one of them. I'm a dedicated writer but that doesn't mean I have to write every single day. There are times that I like to sit back, stare out the window or at my map of my world and just think about where I am wanting to go with the story.... not that I ever truly take that direction... seems to write itself. However, thinking on things does help me feel a little more organized as well as jumpstarts my creativity and I get lots of ideas to work with later on down the line.

The best advice I, as a writer, can off you.... Write whenever you wish. Whether it is every day or every other day. If you are truly focused and KNOW you will finish your work, you will not become stagnant nor will you forget your ideas. It is within you and it is going nowhere until you put it there.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

one of my favorite authors put it simply, if you make money at it or want to its a Job and treat it like one. you go in work your 8 hours ( or if its a part time job at the moment your 4 hours) and then stop, unless you need a little overtime. but make sure you go in every day or you don't get paid. Just because its also something you love to do doesn't make it less of a job.

she also said, if you want to be a writer than write. it doesn't matter if your published or not. if you write then you are a writer.

Answer 4

I don't try to force myself, but I always keep my documents open while I'm doing anything on my computer. Then when inspiration hits I can write a few paragraphs. Also you need to find where and when you write best. Certain places and times work best as I've found. For me after midnight is my best time, and I really like to have privacy while writing.

Answer 5

I have a "fake OCD". I leave a pencil and papers by my bedside and just write down my feelings, whatever and anything.

Answer 6

i will leave 1 hour per day for writing~~~

Answer 7

here are a few sites to get started on