I have spent months working on the perfect writing routine. I finally found it. I want to share with you what it is and how it came to be.
I need tangible constraints to work in. I first made a chart, tracking an end goal of 90,000 words. It was something ridiculous like 2k a day. It quickly failed.
I have 3 ways to keep myself in a writing routine.
#1 – Word Count
I use a 1,000 words per day as a push to write. Most days I could write 1,500 words. This will make me feel good about myself because I surpassed my goal. 1k is small enough, that on the days that I’m “just not feeling it”, I can continue to push until I get there.
#2 – Time Management
I work full time. I write between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. It gives me enough time to get home from work, get in a work out, shower and have dinner. I give myself days off from writing, Friday & Saturdays. Per week I should add 5k to my manuscript. On Sundays I tend to write more than 1k, so I’m always a little ahead.
#3 – Outlining
The best way to get my mojo flowing, is looking at my outline. I can look ahead of time at what scene is next and if I can get through more than one in a writing session. I get tripped up when I change POV in the story and lose momentum. Looking ahead can make me prepared for that.
Writing your manuscript is a completely personal experience. I use a mixture of word count, time and scene outlines as safety nets. I’ve demolished room for excuses. As a result, I wrote 57,000 words in 6 weeks, completing 60% of my chapters. I’m confident I could complete my first draft in early September.
