6 Creative Writing Habits I’ll Never Change
We’ve been told that the essence of a writer lies in their voice.
There’s this idea that once a writer “finds” their voice, it’s set in stone, but I’d argue that a writer’s voice is a fluid element.
It changes naturally with time and experience. It deepens. It becomes textured by pain and suffering and grace. It matures.
In my experience, what enables all of that growth to happen are a writer’s habits.
I’d also argue the amount of writers with incredible voices far outweighs the number of writers with discipline, dedication, and a solid set of writing habits.
My own writing career has been a non-linear journey. I am not a best-selling author. However, I have made a living off of my writing — as a copywriter, a book ghostwriter, a blogger, and a content strategist at various times.
I also wrote Spellbound Under The Spanish Moss,” a young adult fantasy novel, with my father, and am continuing to work on the prequel, sequel, and a Southern gothic short story collection set in the same semi-fictional universe.
As someone who gets paid to write professionally and continues to find time to work on my book-writing dreams, these are the creative writing habits I’ll never change.
"Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly." — Franz Kafka
Creative Writing Habits
1. Using Outlines
Outlines are the skeleton of any well-crafted piece of writing. They provide structure, coherence, and direction.
I cannot imagine starting a project without one. Outlining allows me to organize my thoughts and ensures that my writing flows logically from one point to the next. It's a technique that many prolific authors have sworn by.
J.K. Rowling, for instance, is known for her meticulous outlining. Before writing the Harry Potter series, she crafted detailed outlines, mapping out the plot and character arcs. This helped her maintain consistency throughout the seven-book series and allowed her to foreshadow events and weave intricate subplots.
I like to use scene-by-scene outlines to make sure that I know exactly where my story is going, and it helps me get a feel for the pacing of my story.
If there are any gaps in the plot or illogical sequences, scene-by-scene outlines expose them.
2. Keeping Writing and Editing as Separate Processes
One of the most critical habits I've adopted is keeping writing and editing as separate processes.
Trying to perfect every sentence while writing can stifle creativity and disrupt the flow of ideas. Instead, I focus on getting my thoughts down on paper first, without worrying about typos or awkward phrasing. The editing phase is where I refine and polish my work.
Ernest Hemingway famously said, "Write drunk, edit sober." While I don't take this advice literally, the underlying principle resonates with me.
Writing and editing require different mindsets. Writing is a creative process that thrives on freedom and spontaneity, while editing demands critical thinking and attention to detail.
"If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative." — Elmore Leonard
A study from the Cognitive Psychology journal suggests that our brains are more effective when focusing on one type of task at a time.
Switching between creative writing and analytical editing can lead to cognitive fatigue and reduced performance in both areas. By separating these processes, I maintain my creative flow and ensure a higher quality of writing.
3. Reading
"You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words on a page. Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write." — Annie Proulx
Reading exposes me to different styles, techniques, and ideas that enrich my own writing. I often read with a purpose, looking for writing techniques, plot structures, and new ways of thinking. This practice fuels my creativity and helps me reverse-engineer the works of authors I admire.
For example, a few writers whose works have inspired me over the past few years are:
Carlos Ruiz Zafon (obsessed with “City of Mist”)
Cormac McCarthy
Robert Hicks (“Widow of The South” is a masterpiece)
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Stephen King, in his book “On Writing,” emphasizes the importance of reading:
"If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that."
King himself is an avid reader, devouring hundreds of books a year. His voracious reading habit has clearly influenced his prolific writing career.
4. Researching Heavily
In-depth research is a cornerstone of my writing process. Whether I'm working on a blog post, an article, or a book, I immerse myself in the topic to gather accurate information and unique insights. This habit enriches my content and helps me differentiate my work from others.
For the story I'm currently working on, I immerse myself in a diverse array of sources, from in-depth research on the history of New Orleans to the intricate lore of voodoo loa.
This exploration extends even to entertainment; watching "American Horror Story: Coven” (set in New Orleans) helps me envision the setting, sparks creative ideas, and helps me avoid using historical figures in the same way as what is likely one of the more similar creative works to my own.
5. Making Writing a Priority
"Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depth of your heart; confess to yourself you would have to die if you were forbidden to write." — Rainer Maria Rilke
Writing is not just a task; it's a priority in my daily routine.
I allocate dedicated time slots for writing, treating it with the same importance as any other professional obligation. This habit ensures that I consistently produce content and stay on top of my writing projects.
Writers write. That’s how the best of them separated themselves from all the hopefuls out there.
For example:
1. Ray Bradbury: Driven by passion, he wrote daily without a fixed schedule, finding inspiration spontaneously.
2. Joan Didion: Required an hour alone before dinner to review and revise the day’s work, finding solitude essential.
3. E.B. White: Worked amidst household chaos, adaptable to distractions, without waiting for ideal conditions.
4. Jack Kerouac: Embraced rituals and superstitions, wrote mostly at night, and integrated physical exercises.
5. Simone de Beauvoir: Worked in two daily sessions, morning and evening, often starting by revising previous work.
8. Ernest Hemingway: Wrote every morning at first light, stopping while still energized to continue the next day.
9. Haruki Murakami: Maintained a rigorous schedule, writing early, followed by physical exercise, reading, and music.
10. Maya Angelou: Wrote in the morning, edited in the evening, and maintained a normal social routine for balance.
11. Anaïs Nin: Wrote stories in the morning and her diary at night, adhering to daily writing.
For more detailed info about the writing routines of these famous authors, check out this article at The Marginalian.
6. Using Systems and Processes
In my journey as a writer, I've discovered that creativity thrives not just in bursts of inspiration but within the framework of systems and processes.
This might sound counterintuitive — after all, creativity is often seen as something that should flow freely, unbound by constraints.
However, establishing a structured approach to writing has profoundly enhanced my productivity and the quality of my work.
One of the processes I've implemented is letting ideas marinate. Before diving into a new project, I give myself time to thoroughly contemplate the story I want to tell — and to decide, can I live without telling it, or do I feel compelled to write it?
"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." — Toni Morrison
I ask myself critical questions: "Am I the best person to tell this story?" and "Can I offer something unique?" This introspection ensures that my work is authentic and impactful.
Another crucial aspect of my creative writing process is the creation of shared universes. By developing interconnected stories and embedding Easter eggs — subtle references and details that link different works — I build a richer mythology that enhances the reader’s experience.
In addition to improving writing efficiency, this method of storytelling adds layers of depth and meaning to each piece. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is a prime example of this.
The intricate connections between characters, events, and lore create a cohesive universe that rewards readers who invest in the entire series.
Each new piece I create is informed by the ones that came before it, building a cumulative narrative that enriches the overall storytelling. This technique engages readers more deeply and keeps me motivated to explore new facets of the worlds I’ve built.
It’s a practice used heavily in comics, where each story and series contributes to a grand, interconnected storyline, creating a compelling reason for audiences to stay engaged.
Conclusion
These creative writing habits — using outlines, keeping writing and editing separate, reading extensively, researching heavily, and making writing a priority — have been instrumental in my development as a writer.
They are practices that I have honed over years of experience and observation of successful authors.
By integrating these habits into your own writing routine, you can enhance your productivity, creativity, and overall quality of your work.
But remember: writing habits, like workout routines and diets, are deeply personal and require experimentation.
Bottom line? Find what works for you and put in the hours.