better writing habits

Develop better writing habits.

There’s only one way to become a better writer, and that is through lots of practice.

Some people are born with talent. Writing comes easily to them, but even the most talented writers have to work at the craft. After all, nobody’s born knowing how to write.

Fostering good writing habits accomplishes two things. First, good writing habits ensure that you write regularly, and as we all know, the only way to become a writer is to actually get the writing done. Second, by writing regularly, you get plenty of writing practice, and your work improves.

In other words, good writing habits are essential.


Adopt These Essential Writing Habits

Below you’ll find a list of essential writing habits that will benefit your writing skills. Try introducing one habit into your routine every couple of months. Some of these might not work for you, and that’s okay. By the end of the year, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an expert in all things writing.

  • Establish a writing schedule and write daily if possible: Whether you write for three hours a day or fifteen minutes a day, daily writing is a critical writing habit. It’s better to write for fifteen or twenty minutes every day than to binge for five or six hours over the weekend, but if you can establish a daily writing schedule with longer sessions on weekends, then all the better!
  • Don’t forget to read: I can’t stress how obvious it is when a writer is not well-read. Lack of reading will be apparent in every sentence. The importance of reading cannot be overstated: read as much and as often as you can.
  • Finish what you start: One of the worst habits a writer can acquire is to never finish anything. Shiny new ideas are always tempting us away from our current projects. Occasionally you’ll find yourself in the midst of a project that is so problematic, it should be set aside, permanently. But the vast majority of projects deserve to be finished. Even if they never get published, you’ll learn from the experience, and you’ll be rewarded with a sense of accomplishment.
  • Show your work: Speaking of finishing what you start — once it’s done, share it with others. Post a scene on your blog, send a poem around to a few friends, round up some beta readers and let them assess your project and help you improve it. And if you’d like to be a professional author, always keep your eye on the goal: publishing your work to the marketplace.
  • Know your craft and industry: As a writer, it’s important to understand things like grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as the importance of editing and polishing your work before you show it around. It’s just as important to familiarize yourself with the industry — from publishing to marketing. Make it your business to understand the craft and trade by working good habits into your schedule: edit everything you write, consult grammar and style guides when necessary, learn to properly format your documents, study the publishing industry, and make sure you understand the many ways that authors can market their work to a reading audience.

Are These Writing Habits for Everyone?

As with all writing advice, these habits might not work for everyone. There are successful authors who binge: they go months without writing, and then hunker down and compose a book. Just make sure you’re rejecting a writing habit because it’s not helping your craft or productivity rather than because you lack the discipline to stick with it.

What Are Your Writing Habits?

Improving your writing is hard work. Maintaining a regular writing schedule is even harder, especially with so many distractions that are vying for our attention. Adopting these writing habits might mean making major changes to your routine. If you love to write, the work will be fun at times. Other times, you’re just going to have to grin and bear it, knowing full well that the ends make the means completely worthwhile.

If you want to be the best writer you can possibly be and produce great writing, then commit yourself to these writing habits.

How many of these writing habits have you adopted? Are there any that you’d like to cultivate? Share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences by leaving a comment.

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