When I first saw the topic for the week, writing rituals, I had to stop and think. I don’t have any writing rituals. I know that writing a book takes work—it’s not magic (darn it!). But I have trouble thinking of it as a job to do every day. I’ve let my dreams fizzle without intending to. Anyway, because I have no writing rituals of my own, I looked up the topic and found this great article in a 2015 HuffPost article.
Author Jennifer Blanchard has created a killer process made of routine and ritual that keeps her focused and creative. I like her points! I’m going to try to work her ideas into my day…and maybe finish that stupid book I’ve been halfheartedly working on for a year. Here is what Jennifer does for herself:
- Write before I do anything else (Routine). Write before you do anything else—put your writing first. It’s important. Treat it as such, like John does. See? He starts every day writing. I like that routine, John!
- Write five days a week at least (Routine). Everyone needs a break. Pick a day or two where you don’t write or don’t write as much, but success requires action. Be sure to write every other day!
- Release fears, doubts, and excuses (Ritual). Our topic a couple of weeks ago was how fear is our greatest enemy. Jennifer recommends an action—write down your fears, your self-doubts, and excuses that allow you to justify not writing, and burn them. Let them go. They’re holding you back.
- Acting “as if” (Ritual). This explanation struck me between the eyes. Hubby has said so many times that I get up to the edge of making my
writing matter and then I back off. Jennifer asks in this point, if you were a bestselling author, would you put your writing “off all the time or would you site down every day and write?” Wow. I really want to follow through on this point! - Amping up your mindset (Ritual). Simply put, believe in yourself. Don’t let preconceived notions about what you can or can’t do keep you from achieving your writing goals. Jennifer suggests making two columns on a piece of paper. On the left, list negative notions about being a successful writer. On the right, list the counter thought to the negative. Then adopt the ideas on the right. For me, I would list the self-doubt on the left that I can never measure up to friends of mine who are authors. On the right I need to say that I can be the best writer I can be. Then I need to adopt that notion. Affirmations work!
All in all, I found this article right when I needed it. I’m sending Jennifer a thank you note! 😉 We all need aids to reach our goals for writing. Jennifer’s process starts with routine and then uses the positive thinking that comes with the rituals. Find a routine that works for you. Then make the affirmations and believe them. What do you have to lose?
Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.
Dee
Mystic Desire: A collection of supernatural tales sure to keep you up at night, peering into the shadows! Or just wide awake, reading.
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers
Interesting! I don’t have writing rituals.. apart from making myself a cup of tea! Can’t function without tea!
Dee,
Authors should check this blog out.
Callie
Dee,
Great blog and I needed this reminded as well. I kind of fell of the wagon a little with my writing everyday. So I need to get back on that horse.
But I will say that I like to mediate before I write. I belong to a group called Mindful Writers. Actually, I’m on the Mindful WRiters retreat for four days we mediate and then we write until lunch, mediate and write until dinner and we can write again after dinner. Everyone respects the rules of quiet and keeping the flow.
I highly recommend listening to the mediations.
The collection of three CDs “Meditations for Mindful Writers I, II & III” contain meditations for novice as well as professional writers and all those who dream of developing their abilities and skills in creative fields. Writers who have practiced these meditations rave about the increase in their focus, depth and productivity after listening to them daily. If you want to sharpen your focus, increase productivity and creative power, begin your day with listening to one of these meditations.
Available for downloading at:
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/madhubazazwangu4
Thanks Dee,
Carol
Writing at least 5 days a week can definitely help create a habit. I love to write from Monday to Friday, and then take a break on the weekends..
Mind you, I’ve been procrastinating horribly lately, so I have to get back into the habit again.
Hi Dee,
I like the thought of writing before doing anything else. I try to stick to that on my days off. Then, when the rest of my day fills up, I can’t use the excuse “I have so much else to do, I have no time to write today.” Plus, I have the most energy and focus first thing in the morning. And it’s so true that writers treat writing as a hobby and put it at the bottom of our tbd list when we should put it at the top. Thanks for posting this article!
Wow, Dee. I really enjoyed reading this.
To me the toughest part is making writing a daily thing. Life always seems to get in the way.
Fortunately, I have a hubby over my shoulder as well who pushes me along.
Bad reviews can also bring me down in a hurry, but after I calm down, I usually glean something useful out of them.
I think we all write because we love it. If I focus on that, the rest tends to fade away.
BTW – just finished your story in Mystic Desire and LOVED IT. Getting ready to read Naval Maneuvers next.
Thank you, Gibby!
Whatever works for you. If you complete stories regularly, whatever your process, you’re getting the job done.