Ritualize Your Writing

What's the benefit of having a writing ritual? Do you desire to be more disciplined in your writing practice?

(Probably less of the left photo and more of the right)

One answer to writing through blocks, writing daily, and preparing your mind for creativity is to create a writing ritual.

Mine: make coffee, go to office (guest room), sit in front of the window, light a candle, and write earlier in the morning.

Some people have a specific time, like 5 AM alone in the quiet, or 9 PM posting their word count through Twitter.

Whatever you do, make it something you desire. Ask yourself:

• What time of day do I think/write best?

• What do I need to do first to clear any blocks before writing?

• What's on my obsession list that I can incorporate in my ritual? (mine is fire, hence the candle!)

• Which place in or out of my house is the most comfortable? The least distracting?

Create A Series of Movements

Then, I suggest creating a series of movements that will become your ritual. Psychology Today's article "The Science of Habits" says that "small, specific actions are more likely to become habitual." For me, I felt very strongly that I needed to be half-cognizant of my surroundings. Robert Olin Butler in his book, "From Where You Dream" talks more about writing post dream-state, but I've found this is a good alternative to using some kind of substance to get me out of my methodical/analyzing head (I mean, really, a lot of historic writers have turned to alcohol and such to help along the process).

So early morning it is for me. But what is it for you? From there, I move to brew my coffee...carry it into the office...(sometimes here I put on socks or a cardigan if it is cold)...sit down...turn on only my writing processor (no Googling etc. yet)…light the candle...and begin writing.

Start thinking about what you could do in very specific movements in chronological order.

Practice This At A Specific Time

Another way to reinforce the ritual, and help it become habit, is by doing your movement (think action-sequence if you're a gamer) at a time in the day that works best for you. As a mother and teaching professional, I usually have a very packed schedule, so 5 AM was the only time I could legitimately devote to my craft. In the summer, my hours are more relaxed, and I begin my ritual at 7 AM instead. What time of day do you have the mental energy to write? Go with that.

The Creativity Will Come

Once your writing ritual becomes habit, you've trained your body and brain to focus in on the task, and once in motion, you will find that the stories in you have the settled space to play and come alive.