My Three Most Important Writing Habits

1) Write as often as possible:
Between work, school, motherhood, and a myriad of other responsibilities, finding time to write is a challenge. Yet writing is more than my dream and my passion – it is essential to my well-being. I’ve discovered that letting more than a few days go by without at least a journal entry leaves me feeling grumpy, discontent, and restless. Once I retreat from the world and write, I emerge invigorated. I’ve found that ideas, inspiration, and energy to write increase when I adhere to a strict schedule of writing every day. Although I’m not always successful at it, I know that this is one habit that can definitely aid my growth as a writer. Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast echoes this idea, and I felt envious of his freedom to write every morning. But I do what I can – keeping a notebook by the bed in case inspiration hits before sleep, sneaking away at work to write the first few lines of a story that is screaming for my attention, and sacrificing sleep if midnight comes and I have not yet had the chance to put words on the page.


2) Finding a Serene Location:

Nature is essential for creating my ideal writing atmosphere. I prefer to write first thing in the morning when my mind is fresh and isn’t bogged down by daily chores and responsibilities. If the weather is nice I sit on my back porch, surrounded by tall and glorious hardwoods, if not, I sit upstairs by the open window where I can see the trees and hear the breeze moving through the leaves and the squirrels chasing each other up, down, and around. Nature soothes me in a way nothing else can, allowing me to let go of any thoughts that could hinder my progress. While I don’t always write outside or by the window, they are my favorite places to write. If I haven’t stayed up late to pound out the words than I am up early, sitting in my pajamas on the back porch with a hot tea and my notebook.

3) Calming the water:

Lastly, clearing my head is a habit I’ve developed that often proves crucial. My mind never seems to rest, all day the thoughts run around like boys chasing girls on the playground. Often when I sit down to write I hear my long to-do list, recent comments on my work, or the words of my professors and advice from textbooks. A few years ago I developed the habit of quieting my mind before writing whether the clanging thoughts and doubts were awake yet or not. I close my eyes and concentrate on my breathing and the sounds around me. I do not open them until silence enters. Once it has I set my pen to the page and begin. When I’ve finished one project and have not yet started on another, or I’m having trouble coming up with an idea or inspiration, this habit often leads me to my next story. On many occasions I’ve sat down without any idea of what I would write – story, poem, or essay – and yet after clearing my head the first line comes and then the second follows.