How important is it to write daily?

I lnow, this isn't the drunk thread. But hear me out. If I've learned anything since I got back from the liquor store it's this: If you love to write, then do it. Don't hurt yourself, and don't hurt anyone else in the course, and you'll be happy.

bsolah said:

finnisempty, some people don't count that but I think developing a journaling habit or blogging habit is a very good habit to to get into. It allows you to use your basic writing muscles on a regular basis.

Click to expand...

It's a great habit to get into, but I sympathize with the people (and I am one) who don't count that toward writing. Yes, it's writing, but it's not getting work done on the craft of writing fiction. As we all know, a lot goes into fiction that doesn't typically go into journaling or blogging. Creating worlds, creating characters, and writing specifically for readers rather than for one's self. These are all very important skills to have if one wants to be a serious fiction writer, methinks.

I can't help but write at least something everday.

Libbie said:

It's a great habit to get into, but I sympathize with the people (and I am one) who don't count that toward writing. Yes, it's writing, but it's not getting work done on the craft of writing fiction. As we all know, a lot goes into fiction that doesn't typically go into journaling or blogging. Creating worlds, creating characters, and writing specifically for readers rather than for one's self. These are all very important skills to have if one wants to be a serious fiction writer, methinks.

Click to expand...

I agree. There are different skills involved in writing fiction. Unless I were working on a memoir, I wouldn't consider journaling to count toward working on my craft. I also don't include letter and e-mail writing, list-making and planning, or writing posts on internet forums. I don't even consider writing poetry or essays to count toward my goal in improving as a novelist. These just require different skills.

Well considering this thread is in the 'Basic Writing Questions' forum, writers here trying develop a habit may not necessarily be writing novels, or indeed any kind of fiction.

I agree that if you need to write regularly in your own medium, whether it be fiction, journalism, poetry etc. but I also think a general habit of producing words in whatever form is useful and is something that has helped me write fiction more regularly.

For me, if I don't write every day, I start to loose it. I just kind of NEED it, for the sake of my sanity

bsolah said:

Well considering this thread is in the 'Basic Writing Questions' forum, writers here trying develop a habit may not necessarily be writing novels, or indeed any kind of fiction.

I agree that if you need to write regularly in your own medium, whether it be fiction, journalism, poetry etc. but I also think a general habit of producing words in whatever form is useful and is something that has helped me write fiction more regularly.

Click to expand...

Good point. Please note, though, that I mentioned what I consider writing time, for me, based on my current skill level and goals.

I do think, though, that once a writer has reached a point where she knows what she wants to write (at least for the near future) the best practice for that is to actually do it.

Idkwiaowiw said:

For me, if I don't write every day, I start to loose it. I just kind of NEED it, for the sake of my sanity

Click to expand...

I go through certain periods like this, when I'm really into a WIP, but I don't feel like this all the time.

I think it's more important to set goals about how often you want to write. If that means everyday for you, great! Your writing will do nothing but flourish because of it. If, however, your life just doesn't work out to allow you to write that often, sit down and decide how often a realistic goal for you would be. Personally, I make it a goal to sit down and write six times a week, though I do try and sit down to get words on the page that seventh day, too, when possible. So whatever works for you, but stick with it!

I must write every day, or I just go all to pieces, and it gets harder and harder to get back into it. In other words, the less I write, the less i write. The more I write, the more I write.

I never set out to write every day, but it's what I do, whether I try to or not. I find that I'm irritated on the days when I don't get around to writing, personally, so it's almost required for me.

I'm not a huge believer in write every day in a serious fashion, but it is good practice, and most people swear by it, so give it a swing. If it's not suited for you, work out another schedule for yourself (like an hour a day three days a week, or thirty minutes a day five days a week).

I try to, but I often fail.

At least two days a week, my blog posts *are* fiction, so I do count those posts as "writing". But I still work to get at least 250 words on my novel draft done, even on those days. I try to write at least 5 times per week, 250 wd minimum. That doesn't seem like much, but it all ads up, and I can usually talk myself into writing when that's the goal, even if I'm completely exhausted from the day.

I miss days sometimes, just like everyone else. But I always feel better when I make daily progress, no matter how small.

Living is an equally important practice as writing.

Spend all your time cooped up with a typewriter and what are you going to find to write about? Writing?

People who have a routine and write regularly are not 'cooped up with a typewriter'. They're organised and disciplined, both of which are commendable qualities.

scarletpeaches said:

People who have a routine and write regularly are not 'cooped up with a typewriter'. They're organised and disciplined, both of which are commendable qualities.

Click to expand...

Right.

I get my time in each day, but I certainly don't feel that I'm socially deprived, nor am I ignorant of the world because I have discipline and dedication to my craft.

Yes. For instance, I am reliably informed that you had a luncheon the other day during which three ambulances, four cop cars and a taser came into play.

If that's not socialising, well then I don't know what the hell is!

scarletpeaches said:

Yes. For instance, I am reliably informed that you had a luncheon the other day during which three ambulances, four cop cars and a taser came into play.

If that's not socialising, well then I don't know what the hell is!

Click to expand...

That's not entirely accurate. There were only two ambulances, but there were three tasers and a cattle prod. Plus the S.W.A.T. team.

john barnes on toast said:

Living is an equally important practice as writing.

Spend all your time cooped up with a typewriter and what are you going to find to write about? Writing?

Click to expand...

The two aren't mutually exclusive. Writing every day =/= spending all your time cooped up with a typewriter. And I say this as someone who spends 8+ hours a day at the computer (I spend as much time at my computer as most people spend at their full-time jobs, since it IS my full-time job). Writing daily - especially if it's only for a couple of hours - hardly precludes getting out and doing other things.

scarletpeaches said:

People who have a routine and write regularly are not 'cooped up with a typewriter'. They're organised and disciplined, both of which are commendable qualities.

Click to expand...

Libbie said:

Right.

I get my time in each day, but I certainly don't feel that I'm socially deprived, nor am I ignorant of the world because I have discipline and dedication to my craft.

Click to expand...

Both QFT. Discipline is, I believe, the one thing that separates the men from the boys in this craft. It's not talent, it's not writer's block or lack thereof, it's not some secret magic bullet...it's DISCIPLINE.

scarletpeaches said:

People who have a routine and write regularly are not 'cooped up with a typewriter'. They're organised and disciplined, both of which are commendable qualities.

Click to expand...

Excellent point.

Yet I have known people who truly have no lives and wonder why they have a shortage of ideas/ fuel for their writing.

Real life experience and imagination are equally valuable when it comes to the creative or idea aspect of building stories. Some of us lean more on one than the other, and it varies from story to story as well, but to be truly lacking in either one can be a real obstacle.

I keep telling myself, and others, that no thing is so important in my life as my family that I cannot walk away from it if my life requires it.

Writing is one of those things. I want to think writing is not the one thing that defines me, that I am (and everyone, for that matter, is) more dynamic than this.

But despite this I keep wanting to shove writing into my life, even in time slots and situations it doesn't belong.

Damn fate.

thethinker42 said:

Both QFT. Discipline is, I believe, the one thing that separates the men from the boys in this craft. It's not talent, it's not writer's block or lack thereof, it's not some secret magic bullet...it's DISCIPLINE.

Click to expand...

YES.

One simply cannot make it as a professional, published writer without learning and practicing discipline on a daily basis.

Writing every single day is an admirable goal, but it isn't always practical for some people. I'll admit openly I don't write every single day--some days, I need a mental health break. Some days, there is just no time to settle down and produce anything of worth.

But writing regularly is very, very important. It doesn't matter when, but make it a habit! Monday through Friday, every night between 10 and 11pm. Saturday afternoons, from 1pm through 5pm, every single week. Every day for an hour, no matter when you can eek out the time. Figure out what works for your schedule and do it.

I try to write 5 days a week, weekends off. I don't like having to think about when I can slip away to write when I'm spending time with my husband and kids. Although if I'm under a deadline or behind with revisions, I'll write every day to get it done.