“I made a startling
discovery. Time spent writing = output of work. Amazing.” – Ann Pachett
One of the most common pieces of writing advice is simple: Write every day.
Like many simple things, it’s not easy.
Life is full of
distractions. Errands. Dinner. Chores. Pinterest.
I’d always regarded the advice to write every day as an
ideal, something that only saintly writers did. I tried to corral my writing
neatly, while still leaving time for all of the distractions I like so much. I
wrote schedules and created plans for certain days of the week to be set aside for
specific projects. Invariably, something came up in those time slots. I had to
work late, or I had a sick pet, or unexpected visitors showed up.
I decided the least complicated
solution was to write daily, and in the process I discovered five important
reasons to write every day:
1.) Writing is mental
exercise. Think of it as crunches for the brain. Whether you’re writing in
a journal or working on a novel, the act of writing will make you use your
noggin. This is a good thing.
2.) Small bits add up to
big things. Books are written one word at a time, and if you write every
day—even just a few words, if that’s all you can manage—you’re creating a word
change jar. Over time, it adds up to something.
3.) You can take chances.
Take this as an opportunity to test drive new styles, formats, genres. I vowed to
write every day, but I placed no limits or constraints on my writing. I consider any
number of words, any style acceptable. On days when I really don't want to
write much, I can manage a poem.
4.) Writing every day
keeps the passion alive. Have you ever been caught up in the passion of a
new story? You can’t wait to find time to work on your project. Writing every
day feeds the fire. Otherwise, lack of contact can cause you to fall out of love
with a story (in much the way as you do with people).
5.) You get a great sense
of accomplishment. When you strive to do something positive every day,
whether it’s writing or running or doing actual crunches, you feel like you’ve done
something good. I’m all for more things that feel good, aren’t you?
What about you? Do you
write every day?
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