All writers know that keeping their butts in the seat and fingers on the keys is a necessary factor to becoming a successful writer.
But what does it take to develop the necessary stick-to-it-ness? Five aspects come to mind.
1. Develop the habit of writing – find the where and the when you feel most comfortable and energized over writing. Make it a routine; meet yourself there as often as possible with one goal in mind. This time, this place, is set aside for writing. To help yourself remember the importance of routine, incorporate little activities – light a candle, grab a cup of coffee, have a favorite photo to inspire you.
2. Focus on the now. This time should be devoted to writing. Don’t allow your thoughts to dredge up chores needing to be done, errands needing to be run. Don’t chide yourself for letting the answering machine pick up interrupting phone calls. Don’t spend this set-aside time on checking email or Facebook. This block of time is for writing and writing only.
3. Zero in on your writer persona. For this period of time, you are a writer – not a mom, not a wife, not a bill-payer or a dry-cleaning picker-upper. All those other roles you fill the rest of the time take a back seat to the writer – you at writing time.
4. Write toward a goal. Don’t sit down not knowing what you will spend your writing time working on. It may be a scene in a growing novel, perhaps an idea for a short story. A list of ideas you’re considering writing about is a handy help to have nearby.
5. Focus only on producing the best writing you are capable of doing. This is not the time to worry about publication worthiness. Don’t fret yourself over whether anyone will like it or not. This set-aside time should be dedicated to producing the best piece of work you are capable of at the moment. The rest will take care of itself.