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Developing a Writing RoutineTen Ways to Establish and Maintain an Effective Writing Rhythm
Ideas and exercises to help writers make daily practise part of the writing routine.
Just as practise is necessary to a pianist or a swimmer, regular practise is essential for the writer too. While inspiration can carry along the writing of a story or a poem, on a daily basis the writer needs to be able to tap into that energy source at any time. Establishing writing practice as a daily routine will hone writing skills and fluency. Simplicity can be the key to an effective writing routine and the following are just a few ways to make a start. 1. Write from the Present Moment Pick an object, a view or a person close at hand, the current thought or feeling and write until an A4 page is full. If the flow falters, keep writing the last sentence over and over until it gets going again. But don’t stop till the page is covered. 2. Find Material in Everyday ExperienceConsider a visit to town, or an argument overheard on the bus. Write about the supermarket. Now, take that as a basic scenario – add a conflict, eyes meeting across the cornflake packets, someone glancing over their shoulder before they slip round the corner. Swap genders around, or turn the supermarket into a space station, the bus into a horse and carriage. Let experience be a starting point but never a limitation. 3. Search Personal Memory‘It isn’t always the significant event or important day we remember. It is more likely to be the pattern on a dress our mother wore, the smell of dust on a hot street when the first drops of rain hit it, exactly how cool the air was in the summer shade as we drank cold lemonade.’ Hannah Hinchman, A Life in Hand (Peregrine Smith Books, 1991). 4. Pay Attention to NatureSpend some time looking at a leaf, a flower, the wind moving the trees around – those natural things we take for granted. First describe is seen, then find images to enhance that description. Can a falling leaf or the wind in the clouds become metaphors for life? Take the result and use each phrase as the line of a poem. 5. Carry a Pen and Paper EverywhereSome of our best ideas will come when we least expect. Never rely on remembering them later - write them down now! 6. Write Every Day‘Your job is to make sure the muse knows where you’re going to be every day from nine ’til noon or seven ’til three. If he does know, I assure you that sooner or later he’ll start showing up.’ Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (Hodder & Stoughton, 2000). 7. Try to have a Dedicated Writing Place and TimeIt’s said to take 21 days for a daily activity to become a habit. Writing in the same time and same place every day will develop a rhythm to the practise. Daily practise will become personal practice! 8. Clear the Mind‘You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked. It has no choice. It will roll in ecstasy at your feet.’ Franz Kafka, Diaries 1910-1923 (Schocken Classics, 1988) 9. Keep a Journal for Ideas, Exercises, NotesDate each entry and when the material is used in something else, put a line through the page. 10. Try Keeping a List of Quotations and Ideas from Favourite Writers Some of the ones above would make a good start.
The copyright of the article Developing a Writing Routine in Writing Techniques is owned by Elaine Walker. Permission to republish Developing a Writing Routine in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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