Mastering Writing Habits: Steps to Cultivate Your Craft
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Writing
Many aspiring writers face a common hurdle: the desire to write without actually putting pen to paper. Before seeking guidance, they often struggle to establish a consistent writing practice. For most individuals, finding dedicated time to write is essential, given the demands of daily life. While some writers may have the luxury of an extended retreat to focus solely on their work, the reality is that most of us need to cultivate a writing habit amidst our busy schedules.
Incorporating James Clear's habit formation framework can be incredibly beneficial in this regard. Clear has crafted a comprehensive approach to help people develop habits, summarizing the process into four fundamental components: Cue, Craving, Response, and Reward.
Section 1.1: Understanding the Habit Loop
- Cue: This is the trigger that prompts the behavior. Clear explains, "It is a bit of information that predicts a reward." Historically, humans have been attuned to cues leading to essential rewards such as food and safety. Nowadays, we often pursue cues that predict secondary rewards like status or approval.
- Craving: This represents the desire or motivation behind the action. As Clear notes, "What you crave is not the habit itself but the change in state it delivers." For example, one doesn’t crave smoking a cigarette per se, but rather the relief it brings.
- Response: This is the actual habit itself. It could involve writing at a specific time each day or setting aside moments to jot down ideas. Clear emphasizes that the likelihood of executing a response hinges on motivation and the effort required.
- Reward: These are the outcomes that fulfill our cravings. Clear states, "Rewards are the end goal of every habit." They not only satisfy our desires but also inform our future actions by helping us distinguish between beneficial and non-beneficial behaviors.
To effectively build a writing habit, consider these components and implement strategies to facilitate your writing journey. Clear's insights on breaking negative habits and establishing positive ones are particularly invaluable for writers.
Section 1.2: Practical Tips for Writers
To enhance your writing routine, create clear cues that signal it's time to write—such as setting an alarm or establishing a specific writing time. Make the experience enjoyable by enhancing your environment with elements you love, like music or candles. Additionally, set manageable goals to ensure that writing feels accessible rather than daunting.
The first video, "What to Pack for Two People on a Two Night Backpacking Trip (with a dog)" offers valuable insights on preparing for outdoor adventures, which can inspire your creative writing endeavors.
Chapter 2: Overcoming Fear in the Great Outdoors
The second video, "Tips For Sleeping Outside Camping & Backpacking If You're Scared to Sleep Outside in the Wilderness," provides practical advice for overcoming fears related to outdoor experiences. This can serve as a metaphor for confronting your writing anxieties.
DOG TIP OF THE PODCAST
Pogie, our podcast mascot, experiences some anxiety but uses cues effectively to connect with us through affection and charm.
COOL EXERCISE
If you're struggling to establish a writing routine, consider exploring MasterClass' morning pages exercise for inspiration.
PLACES TO SUBMIT
- Crook's Corner Prize
- Eligibility: Debut novels set predominantly in the American South, published between January 1, 2023, and May 15, 2024.
- Prize: $5,000
- Entry Fee: $35
- Deadline: May 15, 2024
- Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction
- Eligibility: All writers
- Prize: $1,000 + publication
- Entry Fee: $30
- Deadline: May 31, 2024
- Stanley Kunitz Memorial Prize
- Eligibility: Poets under 40 years of age
- Prize: $1,000
- Entry Fee: $15
- Deadline: May 15, 2024
- Ploughshares Emerging Writers Contest
- Eligibility: Writers who have not published a book or have one coming out before April 2025
- Prize: $2,000 + publication + review from Aevitas Creative Management
- Entry Fee: $30
- Deadline: May 15, 2024
OTHER LINK
For more inspiration, check out our random thought of the day.
SHOUT OUT!
The music featured in our podcast is fantastic and available under the Creative Commons License. Check out the artist's website for more information. The track is "Summer Spliff" by Broke For Free.
We host a biweekly podcast titled LOVING THE STRANGE, streamed live on Carrie's Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels every Friday. Follow her at carriejonesbooks for updates and content.
This piece has also been shared on my Substack, where I invite you to join for more engaging discussions.