What's the best way to get yourself into a GOOD HABIT of daily writing

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   madmachioposted 11 years ago

   I've had time lately but zero urge to.. I know I need to get into it and somehow force myself into a routine. Any suggestions?

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      Bendo13posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Are there any goals you are pursuing right now?
      
      Walking people through your journey toward your goal, step by step, can sometimes be a great way to come up with new content to write about daily.

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         madmachioposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Just to get more stuff out there.. Something of worth. That's where I stump myself half the time then the other half is ....well I'm lazy sometimes lol

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      Jesus was a hippyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Reward routine. Don't have dinner or lunch until you have finished your quota for the day.
      
      Rewards are very very effective.

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   knolyourselfposted 11 years ago

   At that stage in my live I would have coffee every morning while laying on my bed and pull out my
   writing pad and write something pertaining to
   the subject I was interested in. It becomes a habit, and you just do it; like my walks, I just
   do them whether I feel like it or not. They are
   good for me and if it wasn't a habit, mandated, I wouldn't do it.

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   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   Schedule a time early in the day.
   Tell others in your household.
   Ban enjoyable activities until after it is done.

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   glmclendonposted 11 years ago

   Schedule a day and time to write and try real hard to stay on that schedule.

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   melodylewis80posted 11 years ago

   I agree with a scheduled time.  But I would also suggest setting small goals.  Maybe shoot for a small number of a words at first or an easy subject and then build upon your momentum once you get going.
   
   Good Luck!
   Melody

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   j-u-i-c-eposted 11 years ago

   Quit your job. You'll get a lot more accomplished with the threat of starvation and homelessness hanging over your head.
   
   j/k
   
   The easiest way to get yourself to write something is to write something. Writing is based on momentum. I've had plenty of days where I didn't feel like writing at all but I forced myself to anyway. Once you get started, it's not unusual to have very productive days even if you're not in the mood when you start. In my experience, there is no way to predict productivity based on your mood. I've had very productive days that started out loathing the very idea of writing a single word, and very unproductive days that started out with me wanting to write 10,000 words. Keep that in mind: once you start, you may be very productive even if the thought of writing makes you want to spit or vomit.
   
   The most effective way that I've found is to start by rereading the last thing you wrote. You'll immediately see things that you want to correct, and then you'll start to add stuff that you forgot the first time. Pretty soon, you'll find you've written a lot.

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      Naturallygrassfedposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. It is difficult to write if you don't have the drive. You need inspiration if you want to be an effective writer, and forcing yourself will just lead to frustration.
      
      In my case, I always have pen and a small notepad in my bag. It can help especially if I am on my way to work or on a travel. I observe a lot and when ideas come into my mind I jot them down. Upon reaching home, or during available time, I expand the thoughts to be a productive write up. You can try this yourself, and you may find it effective as well.
      
      Best of Luck!

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   madmachioposted 11 years ago

   Thank you all! Good advice!

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   Cheeky Girlposted 11 years ago

   Try getting up an hour earlier and write with a mug of hot coffee by the PC! It works plenty for me! It's great to have lots written or done by the time everyone else is awake! Like stealing a march on the world, in a way.
   
   Where there's a will, there's a way!

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      Mark Ewbieposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with that extra hour early stolen time.  It's MY time - not family, work or anything else.  Slight problem with being half asleep but hey... no one reads this stuff anyway.
      
      Joke.

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   Arlene V. Pomaposted 11 years ago

   Find a time that works for you.  I don't usually wake up until 10 a.m., so I'm not gonna set the alarm to wake up to write around 8 a.m.  Forget it!  My best time to write is when everyone is asleep.  I write from around 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.  Works for me.  If I don't force myself to write, I have a better chance to get some writing done.  I don't pull the guilt trip on myself, either.

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    KDuBarry03posted 11 years ago

    You should definitely make time for yourself to write AND read. Writing involves both the task and reading other people's work. I would advise, maybe, include two hours of your time to reading something a day, and then write something for an hour a day, depending on what your schedule may be.

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    finewordsposted 11 years ago

    @KDuBarry03 thanks

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    JKennyposted 11 years ago

    I have a three day rule, basically whenever I write a hub, I give myself a maximum of three days to write another. It's a handy way of keeping me motivated, and a three window means that I avoid rushing to write up a hub. You could try that, it's certainly worked for me.

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    madmachioposted 11 years ago

    Thank yall.. I think I'm going to have to make the time. Otherwise I won't do it

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    Denise Handlonposted 11 years ago

    What do you do when you are working from 7 pm to 7:30 a.m. for 3 and 4 days in a row?  How do you fit in writing DAILY with that schedule?    Anyone?

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       madmachioposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Yea, that's tricky!

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          Denise Handlonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            and frustrating...

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    kat7110809posted 11 years ago

    Well the first question is, do you really need to write everyday? Do you want to or do you have to? If you can answer this question for yourself, you should easily find the answer.

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       KDuBarry03posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I think it should be a combination of "want" and "have" to. I feel I want to write my heart out as well as I have to write for professional purposes.

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          kat7110809posted 11 years agoin reply to this

          I see. Now you have to decide if the purpose is for professional reasons, is it a job that you are writing for? If so, is it something that you want to do for the rest of your life. If you have to ask how to get into writing everyday, you should not keep a job that you have to force yourself to do or struggle with daily. I have had many jobs, which i hated, and when forced to stay and work through it, it just makes me miserable and want to quit.

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             madmachioposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             I agree it shouldn't be forced..Although, My goal is to eventually make it my primary sorce of income..So I should make it a must do.. AHHHH!

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    kat7110809posted 11 years ago

    Writing should never be forced. It is something that should flow freely, and if you have to force yourself to do it, like anything in life, you'll fail most of the time.

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       whatkatiereadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hear hear!

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    mariexotoniposted 11 years ago

    i think you sort of need to force yourself to write sometimes- some of my best writing comes that way.

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       madmachioposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I agree Marie... Sucks though, cuz I get writers block when I try to force myself

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       KDuBarry03posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       exactly! All fields require a natural passion as well as pushing yourself no matter what! With writing, you work with your idea(s) and then they naturally come out as you write; however, it is the writer's job to push themselves to edit and fine tune the story.

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    daisynicolasposted 11 years ago

    I know for sure that I could wrangle hubs if ONLY I'm not doing anything else, like earn real money(sic).

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    nochanceposted 11 years ago

    Pick an hour, somewhere in your day and sit down at your computer or with a notebook(set a timer if you have to). You don't have to write, but you can't do anything else, not even doodle.
    
    A book I recommend for inspiration is "The Artist's Way" by Julia Alvarez. It discusses a concept of morning pages. In the morning, when you get up, you write three pages of stream of consciousness writing and then hide it away from yourself. This will get you ready for the day, get all the worries out of your mind.
    
    The website 750words.com took this idea and put it online. The goal is to write 750 words (approximately 3 pages) every day. It saves it for you to download at your convenience.

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    libby1970posted 11 years ago

    I don't know! I think if you really enjoy writing then there's no real setting time, because you write all the time! I've never had to force myself to write! I've been writing my whole life and I enjoy every minute of it! My job is in the science feild...I love science/chemistry but sometimes I have to force myself to go to work... but writing--I never have to force myself to do!! It's a lifelong enjoyment for me!

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