{"id":88069,"date":"2022-12-21T19:22:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T23:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=88069"},"modified":"2023-01-02T16:04:56","modified_gmt":"2023-01-02T20:04:56","slug":"daily-writing-routine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/daily-writing-routine\/","title":{"rendered":"How a Daily Writing Routine Will Make You a Better Writer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you want to establish a daily writing routine but don’t know how to start? How strict should you be? Does it matter what time of day you write?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you naturally a bad writer? Trick question: There\u2019s no such thing. In Everybody Writes<\/em>, bestselling author, speaker, and digital marketer Ann Handley explains that writing is a practice\u2014not a talent\u2014and that anyone can improve their writing through consistent work and practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn how a daily writing routine will make you a better writer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Daily Writing Routine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need to be a Hemingway or a Faulkner to produce great content: You just need a routine, a process, and a voice\u2014plus something to write with!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Handley first recommends that you establish a daily writing routine.<\/strong> Most of us already write on a regular basis, whether it\u2019s emailing for work, posting on social media, or journaling. However, we may not be writing to the best of our abilities when we do these things, and better writing produces better results. The key to improving your writing is to do more of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Handley doesn\u2019t give a recommendation for how much time each day you should spend on writing, but a good rule of thumb is to write for about an hour each day<\/a>\u2014though you may want to start out with 15-30 minute sessions at first and then work your way up to longer sessions.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Handley recommends a strict daily writing routine and says that missing days lessens your motivation to write. She recommends practicing writing in whatever form works best for you, whether it\u2019s a journal where you jot down a few sentences about your day, using writing prompts<\/a>, or doing stream-of-consciousness writing (writing down thoughts and feelings<\/a> as they come to you). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: If you struggle to write every single day, you may benefit from collaborative settings designed to help you get into or stay in the habit. In On Writing<\/em><\/a>, Stephen King suggests that things like writer\u2019s workshops and classes can connect you with other talented writers and provide you with a structure to keep your practice consistent<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Handley also advises that you identify what time of day your writing is the strongest and write at that time every day. If you\u2019re a morning person, you may want to begin each day with writing, but, if you find that your voice is strongest in the evening or even late at night, write then. She also suggests slowing your writing down by using pen and paper instead of typing on a computer so you can process what you\u2019re writing more deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Some experts disagree that writing by hand is better for your practice than writing on a computer<\/a>. As Handley says, you should tailor your writing practice to your own needs. Making writing a habit is easier if it\u2019s fun and engaging. If you dread sitting down with a pen and paper, you\u2019re much more likely to procrastinate<\/a> or make excuses for not writing each day.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve made writing in your preferred format a daily habit, you’ll be better practiced for the writing you have to do for other purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise: Create Your Unique Writing Routine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Handley\u2019s tips are intended to be adapted to your unique writing needs and preferences. Use her advice to create your own writing routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n