[00:00:00] Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming about the lives of successful writers? It's easy to imagine a world where creativity as, as abundant as water in a river and words flow freely from their fingertips.
[00:00:13] Let me tell you a secret. It's not all just whimsy and enchantment. Behind every great writer, there's a sturdy structure and a dedicated routine.
[00:00:22] I'm Zach Kristensen, and this is Beyond the book presented by Juxta book.
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[00:00:36] I would imagine that all of you listening. Would understand that routine is paramount, but a lot of writers and authors struggle with finding a routine that works for them. And if you look and study different authors, all of them have different routines and rituals that help them. I get into the mode of writing. So you need to [00:01:00] understand what yours is.
[00:01:02] Now the true power of routine lies in its ability to really channel your creativity and unlock the story and words that are inside of you.
[00:01:12] First is boosted self-discipline. Regular writing as like your personal bootcamp, honing yourself discipline. It's your own Jedi training, teaching you to stick to your goals, adhere to a schedule and fend off those nagging distraction.
[00:01:27] And let's be honest, these are all indispensable tools in a writer's arsenal.
[00:01:32] By establishing specific patterns for your writing sessions, you're able to shut out distractions and dive headfirst into your work and the result is that your productivity will skyrocket because you won't be switching from task to task.
[00:01:48] Third supercharged productivity. With a consistent writing routine, you unlock a hidden vault of creativity. Consider your secret stash of inspiration ideas. Routine is the [00:02:00] key to this vault and you'll be able to do more in less time as you get into that creativity zone.
[00:02:07] So how do you harness the magic of a routine? Here's five steps.
[00:02:10] Pick a time.
[00:02:11] Set, achievable goals.
[00:02:13] Carve out a writing nook.
[00:02:15] Minimize distraction and
[00:02:17] consistency is king.
[00:02:19] So first pick a time. Pick a specific time of the day for writing. It could be morning lunchtime or in the evening. The crucial part is to choose a time that suits you and your lifestyle. Because let's face it. If you are a night owl forcing yourself to write at the crack of Dawn is likely going to backfire.
[00:02:38] Next is setting achievable goals. Starts small. Don't overburden yourself. So you get discouraged because you have expectations. Of churning out a novel or a chapter. In a single day. Start with a manageable word count or time limit. Remember these small steps can lead to giant [00:03:00] leaps.
[00:03:00] The third step. Carve out a writing nook. Designate a space for uninterrupted writing.
[00:03:07] It could be a quiet corner in your home, a local coffee shop or a library, or I've heard of one author that used to do his writing and creativity in the tub because he liked to have his space for different tasks in different places.
[00:03:20] Number four, minimize distractions. To switch off your phone. Close, all irrelevant tabs on your computer. And let everyone know that this is your writing time. We all know how easy it has to do a quick check on social media.
[00:03:36] Consistency is king. Lastly, stick to your routine, even if you can only spare 30 minutes a day, commit to that consistency. Over time you'll notice a significant improvement. Think of it as compounding interest for your writing skills.
[00:03:51] By embracing the power of routine. You'll find that writing becomes an integral part of your daily life. The discipline you cultivate will keep [00:04:00] procrastination at bay and your dedication will ensure steady progress towards your writing goals. You're writing journey starts with this foundational step. As you refine your routine, you'll find yourself inching closer and closer to your dream of becoming an accomplished author and getting your book done.
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[00:04:21] To get help with your writing routine.
[00:04:24] Visit juxta book.com. To set up your author coaching session today.
[00:04:31] If you have any questions about a recent episode, I'd love to hear from you. Visit juxtabook.com/beyondthebook and click the appropriate button to leave your question and we will include it in our weekly Q&A episode.
[00:04:47] Your book is just one chapter in your author journey. Think beyond the book as you craft your path. Thank you for your questions and thank you for listening.