Taking a fresh look at your writing routine

Take a seat…

Sometimes it’s difficult to get your head around a new routine especially where your regular writing time slots have changed or disappeared completely; however, as with any change, it allows you to have a fresh look at things.  Here are a few questions to ask yourself before deciding on a new routine:

• What is the purpose of your writing?  Are you blogging for fun, drafting your first novel or looking for a regular income?
• How much time per day do you need to write?  Is it 15 to 30 minutes a day or a couple of hours?
• How long can you focus for?  Do you get more done in 20 minute sessions, or do you prefer an hour to focus?
• What time of the day do you feel like writing?  Are you a more of a morning person or do you function best in the evening?

Writers can sometimes get into a rut with their current routine and become quite inflexible with moving the time slots; however, lifestyle changes can bring about something new and fresh.  I’m a classic example of someone who, until this week, was only finding the time to write in regular slots.  I’ve started a new job which is perfect for me in terms of role and location, but writing time has decreased over the last few days because I’ve no longer got a train commute to and from work.

I know that a new writing routine will form in time, but for now I feel that it’s best to let things settle and not force myself into anything. Having the above questions in the back of my mind will steer me in the right direction.

How have things worked out for you, where you have had dedicated writing slots and the routine has changed?  If things haven’t changed in a while, is it worth taking a fresh look?

Until next time…