Ah, the elusive "writing routine"—the magical formula that turns us mere mortals into prolific, disciplined authors. You know, the one where I wake up at 5 a.m., sip expertly brewed coffee, and type away in a sunlit study until I've effortlessly crafted 3,000 words of literary genius, all to the adulation of my readers.
Yeah…that’s not my life.
Don’t get me wrong; I want to have a structured routine. And who doesn't love expertly brewed coffee?
I admire writers who swear by their daily word counts, neatly scheduled writing blocks, and perfectly organized desks. But the truth? My writing process is more like controlled chaos than a fine-tuned machine. Some days, I’m unstoppable—words flow like a river, and I lose myself in the world of my characters. Other days, I stare at a blank page for hours (or, more accurately, thirty minutes before giving up), convinced I’ll never string a coherent sentence together again. And still others I'll plug away for what feels like an eternity only to write eleven words.
The Myth of the Perfect Writing Routine
Writers are often told that consistency is key. And while discipline is undeniably important, I’ve learned that creativity doesn’t always clock in from 9 to 5. Some of my best ideas strike in the middle of the night, while I'm driving, or—more often—in the shower. Others arrive when I’m grocery shopping, working out, or anywhere but at my desk, where I actually need them.
I’ve tried every productivity trick in the book:
✅ Setting strict writing hours—only to break them.
✅ Staying up late to write—only to fall asleep on my keyboard.
✅ Outlining in advance—only to completely ignore the outline when inspiration takes a turn.
I’ve realized that forcing myself into a rigid structure just doesn’t work for me. Instead, I’ve learned to embrace the ebb and flow of creativity.
The Routine That Actually Works for Me
While I might not have a perfect routine, I do have a few habits that help keep me on track (most of the time):
Setting (Loose) Goals – I aim for a weekly target instead of a daily word count. If I miss a day—when I miss a day—I don’t beat myself up. I've built in the space to make up for it later.
Finding My Peak Writing Hours – I’ve discovered I’m a morning writer. It's dark, the coffee's cold (sorry, that's the only way to drink it, fight me), and no one else is awake. The house is quiet, my office is peaceful, and I've just said my morning prayers. That's when I can really crack into the writing.
Eliminating Distractions – When I sit down to write, I turn off notifications, put my phone across the room, and set my Mac into "Work" focus. My wife can still message me—and she does—but other than that, I'm a ghost.
Giving Myself Permission to Write Badly – Ernest Hemingway once said (allegedly), "The first draft of anything is sh*t." No idea if he really said that—I couldn't find a source—but it's true. You can't edit a blank page, so get to writing.
Remembering That Every Day is Different – Some days, I write 3,000 words. Others, I write three. Both are progress. Mostly. Kind of...
The Bottom Line? Find What Works for You
At the end of the day, writing isn’t about following a one-size-fits-all routine—it’s about finding what fuels your creativity. Maybe you thrive on structure, or maybe (like me) you need flexibility. Either way, the important thing is to keep showing up in whatever way works for you.
And if that means writing at midnight in your pajamas with a cup of lukewarm coffee instead of iced or hot...well, you’re in good company.
Now tell me—do you have a strict writing routine, or do you embrace the chaos? Let’s chat in the comments!
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