5 Things to Try to Do Every Day as a Writer

If you’ve read any of my previous work, you probably understand that I don’t subscribe to the idea that there is any singular way to write. Every writer will find their own process that works for their goals, needs, and circumstances. For that reason, I try not to tell other wordsmiths what they “should” or “must” do to succeed. Even so, after nearly two decades as a professional writer, I can recommend a few things to try that I’ve found helpful to do every day.

1. Identify what you’ll put on paper tomorrow.

Every night before I go to bed, I take a look at my writing calendar and make sure I’ve put the next day’s projects on my to-do list. It’s the only way I’ve found that I don’t forget something within my production schedule. Then I make sure I know what the main scenes or thesis points are going to be. There’s no hard outline. It’s just simple phrases on a notepad so I don’t forget the direction in which I was thinking. It prevents me from staring at my screen, desperate for inspiration to come as my coffee gets cold. With my to-do list and main points in front of me as reminders, I can get a solid start right away in the morning, which sets the tone for the entire day’s work.

2. Read online news and trends.

The point here isn’t to find material to spin. The point is to understand the world you live in as a writer so that your drafts can be informed and provide the right fantasies people will appreciate. If I find something interesting I can give an honest opinion on that genuinely adds to the conversation, I dump it in Trello or Feedly to come back to. That way, I always have a list of ideas to work with as I try to figure out what to write for the next day (see #1 above).

3. Check in with others.

How does this relate to writing, you ask? Well, if you’ve ever had to skip the drafting you planned because you didn’t realize your partner wouldn’t be home to make dinner, you know that you don’t live in a bubble. Checking in with others allows you to identify whether what you’re putting on your to-do list is realistic and to adjust accordingly ahead of time. You’ll feel better about your writing sessions if you accomplish what you planned, rather than if you have to pivot around others on the fly and don’t finish what you’d hoped to do. Plus, checking in can ensure you know when and how much others can help you with writing-specific jobs. It can keep you more grounded in terms of understanding that they need you to be more than a writer, too.

4. Escape.

5. Get on social media.

Social media can turn into such a cesspool quickly if you start clicking on the wrong things. Its future isn’t locked in stone, either. For these reasons, log into your accounts with both goals and limitations (e.g., post a helpful blog link, look at and respond to posts in the feed for only 20 minutes). But at least right now, your social media channels can help you keep a pulse on industry events, changes, and needs. Even traditional writers are expected to participate in their own marketing. Opportunities come more than ever from your ability to connect with and support other people in the industry. It’s critical to be present every day (or at least as much as you consistently can) because it allows your audience to reach you in real-time, authentic way that builds trust.

If one or more of these things to try doesn’t appeal or fit into your writing life, don’t sweat it. Each point is simply something that could help you streamline and keep your creative juices flowing. Leave me a note on Instagram about whether these things to try works for you.

Image credits:
GaryMuth from Getty Images Signature
Tero from Pixabay
Screenshot by Wanda Thibodeaux
StockSnap from Pixabay
StockSnap from Pixabay
Pixelkult from Pixabay