How's Your Write Habit?

You have made plans to write and even established a writing ritual for an extended period of time.  You feel so proud.  


The words flow until a beast creeps up behind or jumps down on your shoulders. You miss a deadline or stop in the middle of a writing project.

Does this sound familiar?

You may feel trapped like the creature below.

This behavior is part of the writing game. Don't let your broken promises and frustrations get you down. Play with them to boost your creativity and determination.

All writers need a Write Habit with a written plan. To establish one, develop a system of strategies to refer to when you slip into behaviors that betray your writing skills.

Suggestions:

Write a contract for your Write Life.  Begin with what you do Best in writing. Include behaviors that get in the way and how you will overcome them.  Name your Beast and write to it. 

Set up your writing dreams with deadlines.  Indicate that at a 11 a.m. you will write  . . . no matter what arises. Set a time limit for how long and then stick with it even if you begin to write what does not please you.


Include a contract between you and an imaginary writing mentor.  Give him or her a name.  When you feel like you're about to fall off the writing wagon, write a letter to your mentor and include a response.

Create a dialogue between You and your Beast. Make it funny.


Just Write. Write for 15 minutes on the project. Then stop before frustration sets in. Always stop when you feel you could write forever.

Take a walk and write as you go.  Add humor.


Read several paragraphs from a variety of books, magazines or read poetry aloud.  Distraction engages the judgment nerves and stimulates creativity muscles.  Return to do a freewrite about why you do not want to write today.

Remember, writers are human beings with fluctuations in moods and needs.  Use your moods to your advantage. If you feel cranky, respond to that mood.  If you feel despondent, write what the opposite mood would feel like. Name these as characters and have them interact.


The more you set up a structure for your Write Life, the more familiar you will become with your writing temperament. Use your creativity to trick your way into a flow of words.