HOW TO KEEP YOUR WRITING ROUTINE ON TRACK

Has your writing routine been plagued by too many interruptions lately? 

We all know how easily a writing schedule can be derailed. A neighbor needs a ride, or the appliance repairman shows up a day early. Then, before you know it, poof, the time you planned to write and the day are both gone.  

My protagonist’s inner conflict and the antagonist’s snarky attitude are abruptly cut off in mid-sentence when my writing is interrupted. Dialogue is left dangling in thin air! Frustration builds.  

I’ve found that the first step to prevent those annoying roadblocks is to make writing a habit, part of my routine, like daily flossing and coffee with breakfast. And that’s not all.

Give this habit the authority it deserves. Schedule it on a calendar like any other appointment. I like to pencil in the title of my work-in-progress. “Matilda” 10:00 - Noon. You get the idea. 

Once the writing ‘appointment’ is on your calendar, make sure the only reason you miss it is a true emergency. 

Review the calendar on Sundays with your family, adding any last-minute updates so that you can begin fresh without needless delays on Mondays. If you respect your writing schedule, others will too.

Further, I found that posting one week at a time acts as a buffer for the remainder of the month’s activities. These inevitably become distractions like yield and stop sign delays along the writing path. A one-week view allows you to either pencil in or decline someone’s request with just a glance. 

Alert the household of your plans and ask them to help you respect this writing time without disturbing you. Offer to read what you’ve written at the end of each week if this helps. It doesn’t stop here either.

Create a space that encourages the words to flow.

Having a designated place to write where we’re comfortable and least distracted is essential. So, it becomes our go-to spot for solitude and quiet.

Kudos to those with a personal she-shed or writing studio to call their very own, but some of us must improvise. 

Evaluate your area. If it needs adjusting -- better lighting or less clutter -- go for it. Through the process, you will likely discover what works best. And honor that rhythm; it is yours and yours alone. Besides, if it keeps you productive and the words flowing, success is your reward. 

Sometimes, a sign says it better than a closed door.

Mounting a sign in a prominent location can help prevent interruptions. Here are some gentle ways of saying, Stay Out!

 I’m Writing Now — Mommy’s Quiet Time — Don’t Even Think About It! 

Or hang a sign stating your character’s name or your project’s (working) title. This may be a clever reminder that keeps the family from interrupting you and curious about what’s happening with their favorite character.

So, if you’ve felt at your wits end lately and need a boost to your writing habit, why not give these simple tips a try? Sometimes a gentle reminder is all we need to push the reset button. 

Let me hear how you keep your writing routine intact.