The art of daily writing.

(11 ways I write daily without going crazy)

Fifteen years of writing has brought me a huge range of benefits.

It has created a sense of autonomy in my life, and a creative release I can no longer do without.

There is a difference, however, between daily writing and a more sporadic commitment. Daily writers are in a league of their own.

These ideas and approaches help me:

I ease into writing by writing in a way that soothes me.

This means scribbling notes, drawings and ideas onto real paper. It’s tactile, crispy, and sounds nice - part of my daily routine.

I feel good when I do this, which makes for burgeoning writing.

I stop getting romantic about writing.

If I waited to feel good each day to write, I’d sure as shit never write. I write for its pure, empty, mechanical nature first.

It’s muscle memory, baby. Start there, ride the wave of momentum from yesterday, and then maybe, just maybe, the moon will shine on your words.

Realise that coming up with several new ideas daily isn’t hard or easy.

It just is. Stop judging. Just write.

The ideas will come (and you can repeat them creatively).

I don’t overthink my writing commitments.

Having a sense of obligation, or to be ‘disciplined’ (Yawn Central) actually makes me want to rebel and write LESS.

Instead of taking daily writing so freaking seriously, I do this: I stop thinking about shit, and I sit down to write at about the same time I usually write.

It’s not that complicated, Joseph.

Write before anything else seemingly urgent or important.

You’re a writer, not a shoelace-tier, email-sender, or dish-washer.

I prioritise writing about things that have been on my mind recently.

If you have the luxury of writing about just about anything you want to write about, you’re in a superb position for everyday writing.

Because recency injects life into writing and the habit that drives it. Most do not have such a luxury, so seize it.

And whatever’s front of mind can be translated to words that are practically still wriggling on the plate.

Don’t view writing as an option.

Options create the choice for distraction. Writing is a must. But it’s a ‘get to’ kind of must rather than a ‘have to’ kind of must.

It’s like brushing your teeth. You don’t question it.

You do it.

Drop the notion that writing 1000 words in a day is a ‘lot.’

That’s unnecessary pressure piled onto writing.

It’s not that big a deal. Write more, delete more, and view writing as a craft that simply involves a lot of daily writing. Stop being stingy with clicking keys. Let those suckers flow.

Focus on quantity and speed. The pressure is out the window. Everything becomes easier.

Like replacing ballet shoes with hiking boots after three miles.

Be 10% more brazen in whatever you write.

You’re struggling because you’re playing it safe rather than inviting criticism or loss. The former is never an option.

• Experiment.

• Entertain yourself as you write.

• Take the crazy, counterintuitive take while still being right.

• Have fun.

It just can’t be boring for you (and therefore the reader).

Write to convey what you feel not to avoid what you feel.

You need to believe in your arguments, stories, characters and products when you write about them.

If you need to write flat stuff for a while to locate your genuine emotion for the thing, do that.

But writing is not a sensible vocation. It is a very human form of expression and will hit a wall at 90 miles an hour if it lacks emotion.

When you write like this, it’s no longer a chore but rather an experience.

Regularly, if not daily, remind yourself of your CAUSE.

What bullshit do you see in this world that you’re fighting against through your writing? That’s it. That’s the gold right there.

Knowing this makes writing today a no-brainer. Some people talk about being obsessed.

That comes easy when you have one or two wider reasons to never stop writing.

If you want to find more freedom through writing…

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What helps you write? Share in the comments.

Thanks, Alex.