This is strangely familiar - I get up at six, drink a glass of water, and write for about 45 minute or until I hit my daily word count (varies by whatever "main project" I'm working on, usually between 1k-2k), then I get ready for my day job/clean the house/etc. I don't ever take my phone into my bedroom; it charges at my desk downstairs, and I use a small, cheap alarm clock, although I always wake up before it goes off. I love to walk, but right now our weather is terrible and our streets and sidewalks are full of dirty snow. I write smaller projects on my lunch breaks at work. Sometimes I have more time to write on weekends, but I volunteer, go to church, visit my parents, clean, etc. so sometimes it doesn't work out as I'd like it to as far as writing time goes. I take a lot of notes, in a notebook in my purse or in my car (I have them stashed everywhere) or on my phone, and I never run out of ideas. I wish I could write full-time but it doesn't pay all the bills just yet (probably won't ever, but I have a great day job with excellent benefits, so I can't complain).
I used to write during class in middle and high school, with my spiral notebook in my lap - I've always been fitting it into my regular schedule in one way or another. When my kids were very young, it was difficult because I was so tired all the time I could hardly think, never mind write. But I managed to scribble ideas and bits and pieces and use them years later. If I don't get stuff out of my head I get a little goofy. As far as the daily routine, it wasn't until I had a solid job with a predictable schedule (for the past 20 years) that I was able to work out a routine and figure out my sustained stories needed my morning brain and the rest could get along with my day/evening one. I fought against it for a long time before kicking myself and just going with the way my mind works.
Thanks so much for the insights, Kerry. It's always reassuring to hear others who also took time, and trial-and-error, to find their best routine / approach. It took me a long time too!
I love the idea of the alarm clock and glass of water. This would really help me.
I tend to write poetry in the morning before my daughter wakes up. I also do Julia Cameron’s morning pages. I tend to write fiction in the afternoon after an hour’s nap. I’m finding that motherhood and writing are very symbiotic and I feel very privileged to get to spend so much time with both my daughter and writing.
Thank you for writing about your routine. I love hearing how other writers work.
That’s really cool, Alexis. I love writing poetry in the morning too, and think it’s a great idea to have different time slots for different types of writing. Can’t wait to read some of your poetry!
I'm with you on the early mornings, alarm clock and pint of water... I have to add in one cup of coffee where I mull over the day and the second as I start to write. I feel strangely afraid of turning off the wifi, but the fear probably tells me I should do it!
I don't really procrastinate as I have such limited writing time... it's more an irrational fear that the WiFi won't reconnect when I turn it back on... and life seems impossible now without it!
Haha fair enough! I think it's safe to say the Internet will still be there waiting for you once you switch your WiFi back on! But it's great to hear you're not susceptible to procrastination. I'm jealous!
I break almost all of your rules, but the core of the message is still the same. Make the time. Build the routine. Find a way to make it work for yourself. Put your butt in the chair (or fingers on the keyboard, or the dictaphone, or whatever input method you use) and write the words.
Thanks for sharing! Really interesting stuff. How does it work writing in a "sprint room"? Is that like a video call with everyone on there writing at the same time on mute?
No video. There is text chat available. You can set up your own room with friends or use the global one. In the global room there is a 25 min sprint timer and 5 minute break. You earn stars while you write and can see everyone else's word meters going up too.
I also have a messenger sprint/accountability group. We let each other know what we are working on, run sprints together or individually as we please, and cheer for each other.
I know some other groups that do video chats, or discord, or 4thewords. There are lots of options out there.
I was just telling my husband I need to get up earlier in order to have time to write -- I'm far better in the morning than in the evening hours, especially in the winter. I might have to pick and pull from your routine to better my own, so thank you for sharing this
At the moment I write when the inspiration hits me, but I definitely like the idea of a dedicated writing slot in my day. I know I will have to give up something to do that though and I am sure I will fail, but slow sure steps in the right direction is required. I have slowly been putting the steps into place to have that dedicated time slot, but not quite there yet. I think your post has been timely inspiration, so fingers crossed I sort myself out!
Sorry for the slow reply, Theresa! I’m glad you found this at a good time. It sounds like you’re making great progress, and sometimes these things just need to happen at their own pace.
This routine took me months to figure out and two years to get fully comfortable with. I’m sure you’ll find that ideal rhythm for you when the time is right.
This is helpful! Since I commute in, I usually find myself with extra time in the morning when I get to work before teaching. I’ll have to try the alarm click across the room—it’s so cold here during NE winters that I find it the hardest part of getting out of bed!
Sorry for the slow reply, Sam! I’m glad the alarm tip seems helpful. It was so necessary for me as I used to find it so hard to get up early. Do you usually use the spare time at work in the mornings to write then?
Great tips here, thank you. I used to always get up at 5 to write as that was the time I got up to get to Liverpool to teach but since I’ve retired I’ve got lazy. As a result very little writing now I get up at 8 rather than 5.
I’m always astonished when an idea just hits me between the eyes when I least expect it and I never have a notebook to hand to write it down. Fatal as it disappears into the ether before I can recall it later.
I’m thinking I do need a writing group so will be exploring how yours works.
Sorry for the slow reply, Sharon! Thanks for the comment. Starting at 5am is an incredible effort, but I’m not sure anyone could keep that up forever. I don’t think getting up at 8 is lazy either, especially not in retirement. It sounds like you’ve earned a slightly easier routine!
It’s definitely worth carrying a notepad and pen with you though in case inspiration strikes.
And if you need any help finding a writing group or critique partnership, please do drop me a message and I’ll see what I can find in my community for you! They’re so helpful.
I will try your routine. It won’t be easy, but I need help.
I have always been a night owl. My mind comes alive between the hours of 7pm to midnight, but responsibility doesn’t allow me to dedicate those hours to writing. I scribble notes to tomorrow’s self in an effort to reignite this passion I feel for these absolutely inspired thoughts, the clever bits of dialogue, the extra plot details, but once I have the moment to explore them further, I realize the love affair has cooled. Lady Inspiration has left me for some other shmuck. Then I just clean a toilet or something, which leads to reorganizing a closet or whatever.
So sorry for the slow reply, Stephanie! How have you been getting on with some of the parts of this routine so far? I hope you've been able to find some more dedicated time to write!
Love this! I am working on my morning routine / writing routine in general. I write more on weekends / when I have large swaths of time and then shorter sessions when I can find time. I don’t always write at the same time. I’m incorporating morning pages which I’ve done on and off through the years— have become v consistent with those though sometimes it’s afternoon or night pages 😆I would love to get more consistent so this week am committing to mornings and going from there. Am in two writing groups - it takes a village! Interested in your feedback group if there’s still space.
So sorry for the slow reply, AJ! That's great to hear. How are you getting on so far with the morning sessions? I'd love to hear more about your writing groups as well. Are they in-person or online, and what formats do they use?
Wow I love this advice! So practical, I feel like I can actually start doing this tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing. So great to hear from writers who know about that time crunch. As a university student, time is definitely in short supply, but I still would love to spend some on writing.
So sorry for the slow reply, Kyra! I'm really glad this was helpful. Have you given any of the parts of this routine a try yet? I'd love to know how you're getting on. I wasn't anywhere near ready to do anything like this when I was a student, so I'm very impressed that you're able to make time for writing!
I haven't really implemented much of it yet, but my main day for writing is a Saturday afternoon - I'll spend a couple hours before dinner just getting some work done.
It's really hard to make time and have the headspace for it, but I really want to get better at doing that :)
Excellent article, and the thing about drinking the glass of water is a true life hack! I'm more of a night owl so I look at my poems before I go to bed, and if I get stuck I often wake up with an idea for how to solve the problem. I guess your brain does problem-solve in REM sleep. But the downside is that you aren't putting aside a set amount of time, so it'd be hard to, say, finish a novel that way!
I wasn't a morning person at all until I had to start driving my daughter to her paper round after we moved house. Now I take her out before 7 and then come back and write a page every day. It's usually just 10 minutes at the most. And then I end the day with a haiku, and sometimes an oracle card which I use as a journal prompt.
So sorry for the slow reply, Polly! That's really good. Even 10 minutes is so much better than nothing. Interestingly, a few other writers in the comments have said they also write fiction in the morning and poetry in the evenings. I'm going to give that a try!
Interesting article- loved the morning routine suggestions. Aka alarm clock. Water. No internet. That’s how I got my first novel written- a dog (I was dog sitting) got me up at 6am and I wrote for minimum 2 hours every day on an old school word processor
Loved this! Accountability is key, and joining a writing group was the best thing I did last year. It’s one block of dedicated writing time every weekend that would be easy to skip otherwise. I appreciated this well-structured, practical guide—it’s the kind of advice that doesn’t just sound good, but actually feels doable.
Thanks so much! That means a lot. Glad to hear that joining a writing group has worked well for you. Is yours in-person or online? And what sort of format do you use?
It’s in person. We meet and write together for ~60-75 minutes and then socialize after for as long as people feel like staying. It’s been a game changer!
Yep! It’s really helpful. I just had someone look at an essay I wrote last weekend. And I’m gearing up to meet with a whole other group of writers. I can’t get enough!
This is strangely familiar - I get up at six, drink a glass of water, and write for about 45 minute or until I hit my daily word count (varies by whatever "main project" I'm working on, usually between 1k-2k), then I get ready for my day job/clean the house/etc. I don't ever take my phone into my bedroom; it charges at my desk downstairs, and I use a small, cheap alarm clock, although I always wake up before it goes off. I love to walk, but right now our weather is terrible and our streets and sidewalks are full of dirty snow. I write smaller projects on my lunch breaks at work. Sometimes I have more time to write on weekends, but I volunteer, go to church, visit my parents, clean, etc. so sometimes it doesn't work out as I'd like it to as far as writing time goes. I take a lot of notes, in a notebook in my purse or in my car (I have them stashed everywhere) or on my phone, and I never run out of ideas. I wish I could write full-time but it doesn't pay all the bills just yet (probably won't ever, but I have a great day job with excellent benefits, so I can't complain).
That’s amazing to hear our writing routines and habits are so similar, Kerry! It’s nice to find someone with the same approach.
Have you always done it this way, or did you have to go through some trial and error to find thy optimal routine?
Great work writing on your lunch breaks as well!
I used to write during class in middle and high school, with my spiral notebook in my lap - I've always been fitting it into my regular schedule in one way or another. When my kids were very young, it was difficult because I was so tired all the time I could hardly think, never mind write. But I managed to scribble ideas and bits and pieces and use them years later. If I don't get stuff out of my head I get a little goofy. As far as the daily routine, it wasn't until I had a solid job with a predictable schedule (for the past 20 years) that I was able to work out a routine and figure out my sustained stories needed my morning brain and the rest could get along with my day/evening one. I fought against it for a long time before kicking myself and just going with the way my mind works.
Thanks so much for the insights, Kerry. It's always reassuring to hear others who also took time, and trial-and-error, to find their best routine / approach. It took me a long time too!
I love the idea of the alarm clock and glass of water. This would really help me.
I tend to write poetry in the morning before my daughter wakes up. I also do Julia Cameron’s morning pages. I tend to write fiction in the afternoon after an hour’s nap. I’m finding that motherhood and writing are very symbiotic and I feel very privileged to get to spend so much time with both my daughter and writing.
Thank you for writing about your routine. I love hearing how other writers work.
That’s really cool, Alexis. I love writing poetry in the morning too, and think it’s a great idea to have different time slots for different types of writing. Can’t wait to read some of your poetry!
I'm with you on the early mornings, alarm clock and pint of water... I have to add in one cup of coffee where I mull over the day and the second as I start to write. I feel strangely afraid of turning off the wifi, but the fear probably tells me I should do it!
Sorry for the slow reply, Simi! Yes coffee is 100% necessary before getting started for me too.
Interesting about the WiFi! Do you use the internet much while you write? And / or do you use it often to procrastinate while writing?
I don't really procrastinate as I have such limited writing time... it's more an irrational fear that the WiFi won't reconnect when I turn it back on... and life seems impossible now without it!
Haha fair enough! I think it's safe to say the Internet will still be there waiting for you once you switch your WiFi back on! But it's great to hear you're not susceptible to procrastination. I'm jealous!
I break almost all of your rules, but the core of the message is still the same. Make the time. Build the routine. Find a way to make it work for yourself. Put your butt in the chair (or fingers on the keyboard, or the dictaphone, or whatever input method you use) and write the words.
That’s so interesting. Are you able to share any insight into the routine that works for you?
1- Phone is on and beside the bed in case I get an emergency call/text
2- I use the alarm on my Fitbit watch on my wrist
3- Yes, I plan on 90-120 minutes for my morning writing session
4- No glass of water or I'll have to pee before I'm done my exercise session
5- I sprint online in a sprint room, with accountability group on messenger, so I use wifi
6- I don't write first. morning routine below
7- I hang out with hubby, who doesn't like to be alone for long
8- Yes, I use my "time timer" most of the time. Fitbit watch if I'm worried about waking hubby up
9- As few interruptions as possible
10- Challenging but realistic target.
5:30 - up for run or other workout
7:00 - walk cat, feed cat, make breakfast, shower, dress, set up, talk with hubby, check in with accountability group
Between 7:30 and 8:00 - prewriting, eat breakfast, and begin writing. Goal 2000 words. Finishes between 9:00 and 10:30 depending on day's schedule.
Thanks for sharing! Really interesting stuff. How does it work writing in a "sprint room"? Is that like a video call with everyone on there writing at the same time on mute?
The one I usually use is https://app.ohwrite.co/
No video. There is text chat available. You can set up your own room with friends or use the global one. In the global room there is a 25 min sprint timer and 5 minute break. You earn stars while you write and can see everyone else's word meters going up too.
I also have a messenger sprint/accountability group. We let each other know what we are working on, run sprints together or individually as we please, and cheer for each other.
I know some other groups that do video chats, or discord, or 4thewords. There are lots of options out there.
I was just telling my husband I need to get up earlier in order to have time to write -- I'm far better in the morning than in the evening hours, especially in the winter. I might have to pick and pull from your routine to better my own, so thank you for sharing this
Sorry for the slow reply, Nicole! I’m glad this came at a good time and offered some useful ideas. Let me know how you get on!
At the moment I write when the inspiration hits me, but I definitely like the idea of a dedicated writing slot in my day. I know I will have to give up something to do that though and I am sure I will fail, but slow sure steps in the right direction is required. I have slowly been putting the steps into place to have that dedicated time slot, but not quite there yet. I think your post has been timely inspiration, so fingers crossed I sort myself out!
Sorry for the slow reply, Theresa! I’m glad you found this at a good time. It sounds like you’re making great progress, and sometimes these things just need to happen at their own pace.
This routine took me months to figure out and two years to get fully comfortable with. I’m sure you’ll find that ideal rhythm for you when the time is right.
Let me know how you get on!
Thank you for replying! It's good to hear it was a slow burn to find the sweet spot and a good rhythm. I will let you know how I get on!
Yes, please do! Best of luck, and happy writing!
This is helpful! Since I commute in, I usually find myself with extra time in the morning when I get to work before teaching. I’ll have to try the alarm click across the room—it’s so cold here during NE winters that I find it the hardest part of getting out of bed!
Sorry for the slow reply, Sam! I’m glad the alarm tip seems helpful. It was so necessary for me as I used to find it so hard to get up early. Do you usually use the spare time at work in the mornings to write then?
I have been using the extra time to write, yes! It’s in small snippets, but it’s a step in the right direction for consistency’s sake.
Glad to hear that!
Great tips here, thank you. I used to always get up at 5 to write as that was the time I got up to get to Liverpool to teach but since I’ve retired I’ve got lazy. As a result very little writing now I get up at 8 rather than 5.
I’m always astonished when an idea just hits me between the eyes when I least expect it and I never have a notebook to hand to write it down. Fatal as it disappears into the ether before I can recall it later.
I’m thinking I do need a writing group so will be exploring how yours works.
Good luck to all writing right now
Sorry for the slow reply, Sharon! Thanks for the comment. Starting at 5am is an incredible effort, but I’m not sure anyone could keep that up forever. I don’t think getting up at 8 is lazy either, especially not in retirement. It sounds like you’ve earned a slightly easier routine!
It’s definitely worth carrying a notepad and pen with you though in case inspiration strikes.
And if you need any help finding a writing group or critique partnership, please do drop me a message and I’ll see what I can find in my community for you! They’re so helpful.
I will try your routine. It won’t be easy, but I need help.
I have always been a night owl. My mind comes alive between the hours of 7pm to midnight, but responsibility doesn’t allow me to dedicate those hours to writing. I scribble notes to tomorrow’s self in an effort to reignite this passion I feel for these absolutely inspired thoughts, the clever bits of dialogue, the extra plot details, but once I have the moment to explore them further, I realize the love affair has cooled. Lady Inspiration has left me for some other shmuck. Then I just clean a toilet or something, which leads to reorganizing a closet or whatever.
So thanks for sharing. Wish me luck.
So sorry for the slow reply, Stephanie! How have you been getting on with some of the parts of this routine so far? I hope you've been able to find some more dedicated time to write!
Love this! I am working on my morning routine / writing routine in general. I write more on weekends / when I have large swaths of time and then shorter sessions when I can find time. I don’t always write at the same time. I’m incorporating morning pages which I’ve done on and off through the years— have become v consistent with those though sometimes it’s afternoon or night pages 😆I would love to get more consistent so this week am committing to mornings and going from there. Am in two writing groups - it takes a village! Interested in your feedback group if there’s still space.
So sorry for the slow reply, AJ! That's great to hear. How are you getting on so far with the morning sessions? I'd love to hear more about your writing groups as well. Are they in-person or online, and what formats do they use?
Wow I love this advice! So practical, I feel like I can actually start doing this tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing. So great to hear from writers who know about that time crunch. As a university student, time is definitely in short supply, but I still would love to spend some on writing.
So sorry for the slow reply, Kyra! I'm really glad this was helpful. Have you given any of the parts of this routine a try yet? I'd love to know how you're getting on. I wasn't anywhere near ready to do anything like this when I was a student, so I'm very impressed that you're able to make time for writing!
I haven't really implemented much of it yet, but my main day for writing is a Saturday afternoon - I'll spend a couple hours before dinner just getting some work done.
It's really hard to make time and have the headspace for it, but I really want to get better at doing that :)
Excellent article, and the thing about drinking the glass of water is a true life hack! I'm more of a night owl so I look at my poems before I go to bed, and if I get stuck I often wake up with an idea for how to solve the problem. I guess your brain does problem-solve in REM sleep. But the downside is that you aren't putting aside a set amount of time, so it'd be hard to, say, finish a novel that way!
I wasn't a morning person at all until I had to start driving my daughter to her paper round after we moved house. Now I take her out before 7 and then come back and write a page every day. It's usually just 10 minutes at the most. And then I end the day with a haiku, and sometimes an oracle card which I use as a journal prompt.
So sorry for the slow reply, Polly! That's really good. Even 10 minutes is so much better than nothing. Interestingly, a few other writers in the comments have said they also write fiction in the morning and poetry in the evenings. I'm going to give that a try!
Interesting article- loved the morning routine suggestions. Aka alarm clock. Water. No internet. That’s how I got my first novel written- a dog (I was dog sitting) got me up at 6am and I wrote for minimum 2 hours every day on an old school word processor
Thanks so much, Angelique. I hope it's useful.
That's amazing. I wish I had a lovely dog for an alarm clock!
Lol. Not so lovely... sometimes my step-mother's dog would "go off" at 5am. And there's no snooze button.
I love the water next to the alarm clock idea!
Thanks, Stephen! It's a great way to switch the brain on and avoid the temptation to get back into bed!
Loved this! Accountability is key, and joining a writing group was the best thing I did last year. It’s one block of dedicated writing time every weekend that would be easy to skip otherwise. I appreciated this well-structured, practical guide—it’s the kind of advice that doesn’t just sound good, but actually feels doable.
Thanks so much! That means a lot. Glad to hear that joining a writing group has worked well for you. Is yours in-person or online? And what sort of format do you use?
It’s in person. We meet and write together for ~60-75 minutes and then socialize after for as long as people feel like staying. It’s been a game changer!
That’s awesome. Do you ever workshop / feedback on each other’s work as well?
Yep! It’s really helpful. I just had someone look at an essay I wrote last weekend. And I’m gearing up to meet with a whole other group of writers. I can’t get enough!