Write Daily, No Exceptions

This can feel like a hard pill to swallow. Write every single day? Even during a hangover? Even when my cat has just decided to redecorate my laptop with its lunch? Even when I'd rather do just about anything else?

Yes, particularly then.

I recall the first time I committed to this practice. It was shortly after I lost my job and found myself back in my childhood room, surrounded by posters of boy bands and the heavy burden of disappointment. Yet, I wrote. Every. Single. Day.

Some of those days produced complete drivel. Most days, to be frank. But gradually, the words began to flow, stories took form, and before long, I had a book. Admittedly, it was a terrible book, but it was a book nonetheless.

It’s not about the quality at the outset; it’s about regularity. The quality will come with time.

Read Outside Your Comfort Zone

This can be a tough one. When you’re deep into writing steamy scenes, the last thing you might want to do is dive into a dusty volume about 18th-century agricultural practices.

Trust me, it’s beneficial.

I once dedicated a week to solely reading true crime. The outcome? I penned a murder mystery romance under a pseudonym that surprisingly sold more than three copies. Who would have thought that studying blood spatter could add intrigue to a romantic subplot?

Diverse reading broadens your vocabulary, introduces fresh concepts, and keeps your writing lively. Plus, it gives you something to discuss at family gatherings beyond your latest explicit scenes.

Accept Feedback Without Tears

This can feel as enjoyable as a dental procedure. Yet, it's essential.

The first time I shared my writing with a critique group, I believed I was crafting the next bestseller. Their feedback? “Your intimate scenes resemble a medical manual, and your dialogue is as stiff as a board.”

I cried for a week. Then I went back to the drawing board and revised the whole piece.

Criticism hurts. It's meant to.

However, if you can set aside your ego and truly listen, you’ll progress faster than you can say “intimate moments.”

Edit with Precision

They say to “kill your darlings,” but it often feels like a massacre.

Editing is where the true writing takes place.

This is also when you realize that your clever analogy comparing your protagonist's physique to a washboard might not be as brilliant as you thought. Don’t overdo it (I limit my editing time to an hour or two for short stories), but be ruthless. If it doesn’t advance the story, let it go.

Your readers will appreciate it, even if they can't pinpoint why.

Study the Craft

This can be a blow to your confidence. You might think you’ve mastered writing just because you’ve been at it since you could hold a crayon.

But that’s not the case.

There’s always room for growth. Always.

I used to despise reading writing guides. “I don’t need some pretentious expert lecturing me,” I would scoff. Then I picked one up. And another. And yet another.

Suddenly, I understood why my dialogue felt lackluster, why my pacing was off, and why my characters were as shallow as a puddle in the desert.

It’s humbling to realize how much you still have to learn. But it’s also freeing, because now you can address those shortcomings.

Create Your Writing Environment

This seems straightforward: just find a spot and write, right? Wrong.

Your surroundings influence your creativity more than you might realize. It’s challenging to craft a compelling scene when your parents are watching a loud soap opera in the background.

I set up a corner in my room with a desk, a chair, and a “Do Not Disturb” sign that my family frequently ignores. But it's my space. When I sit there, my mind knows it’s time to write.

Claim your space and guard it fiercely. Your productivity will benefit.

Set Deadlines (And Stick to Them)

Deadlines are every writer's nemesis, but they are crucial.

Without them, I’d likely still be “working on” my first short story five years later.

Establish realistic timelines and treat them like sacred commitments. Share them with others—nothing spurs you on like the fear of public embarrassment.

I once promised my newsletter subscribers a new book by Christmas. Cue three months of frantic writing, sleepless nights, and an unhealthy amount of caffeine.

But I achieved it, and the sense of accomplishment made every gray hair worth it.

Network with Fellow Writers

This can be particularly challenging for introverts. The idea of discussing your work with others? Terrifying.

Yet, it’s vital.

Other writers understand the struggles of writer's block, the joy of crafting the perfect sentence, and the crushing self-doubt that follows every rejection.

This year, I pushed myself to connect more with fellow writers online. I had to force myself, but these virtual friendships have become invaluable. They’ve beta-read my work, celebrated my victories, and helped me navigate moments when I wanted to quit.

Find your community, even if it's just online. Writing can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be.

Experiment with Varied Styles and Genres

Comfort zones are nice, but they can also stifle creativity.

I spent years writing nothing but steamy scenes. It was comfortable. Familiar. Yet it was draining my enthusiasm for writing.

On a whim, I ventured into crafting actual narratives with characters and plots. It was a disaster. Truly awful. But it reignited my passion for writing.

Now, I mix genres—contemporary, comedy, a touch of darkness. It keeps my work fresh, challenges me, and ultimately enhances my writing.

Don’t shy away from experimentation. The worst that can happen is that you produce something terrible—and let’s face it, we all do that from time to time.

Treat Writing as a Profession

This might be the most challenging habit to adopt. Let’s be honest: lounging in pajamas while crafting stories doesn’t feel like a “real” job.

However, if you aspire to succeed, you must treat it like one.

Establish working hours. Stick to them. Even when Netflix beckons. Even when friends invite you for “just one drink.” Even when your bed calls for a mid-afternoon nap.

I adhere to a 9 to 5 schedule, Monday through Friday, just as I would in a traditional job. Some days, the words flow freely; other days, it feels like pulling teeth.

But I’m present, in my little corner, putting in the effort.

At the end of the day, that’s what distinguishes amateurs from professionals: consistency, commitment, and a relentless determination to keep going, even when it feels like you’re shouting into a void.

These habits aren't easy or enjoyable; they can make you want to toss your laptop out the window and take up knitting instead.

But they work.

I’m not a bestseller. I’m not living in luxury. But I'm carving out a part-time income doing what I love, and that makes all the hard work, tears, and tough days worthwhile.

So, give these habits a shot. Stick with them, especially when the going gets tough. That’s when the real magic happens.

And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll find yourself writing an article about writing habits, marveling at how far you've come.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a deadline looming and a hero’s intricate anatomy to detail. Again.

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