How to Build a Daily Writing Habit (Even if You’re Totally Swamped)

Are you serious about building a daily writing habit? Or do you just want to know how to start?

I’m not about to go all Harry Potter and wave a magic wand (sorry). But these steps are simple and could be just what you need to hear right now. Starting a writing habit isn’t about grand goals — it’s about small, consistent steps.

How do you eat an elephant? According to Desmond Tutu, one bite at a time. I’m not suggesting that you grab your napkin and head for the zoo. But instead of vowing to “finish my novel this year” or “write 1,000 words daily,” aim for something simpler. Maybe that’s “write one scene a day” or “spend ten minutes writing, five days a week.” It doesn’t sound glamorous, but these small bursts stack up through time — and that’s how real momentum builds. Momentum is essential for longevity. I’ve been writing full time for over ten years now, I’ve seen lots of authors come and go. Longevity is so important and will keep you earning royalties from your books. Because one book won’t make you a fortune (I wish!) It’s building a backlist and taking your author career seriously that makes the difference in the long run.

Swap Scrolling for Sentences

Ever find yourself doom-scrolling Instagram or TikTok? That’s time you could spend typing just one sentence. You don’t have to eliminate social media (you’ll need it later on), but if those ten minutes you normally waste became writing time — even occasionally — you’d be amazed how quickly it adds up.

Why Old Habits Really do Die Hard

Habit science shows that old, automatic actions (like lighting up a ciggie after a meal) don’t just vanish overnight. You can replace them, but you’ll feel ‘off’ in the meantime. That’s why it’s usually easier to add a tiny new habit first, and tackle the old one later. The good news is that once you’ve established that new writing habit, you’ll feel weird when you don’t work on your book. It’s why I bring my laptop everywhere and write nearly every day.

Start Small and Think Big

I’ve said this so many times already. Shoved it down the throats of my writing students. Don’t aim for perfection. Remember how awful it sounded when you first tried speaking a foreign language? Writing feels like that too. Start by writing for ten minutes a day or a scene a week — slowly build that comfort. That’s the habit foundation that’ll give you something to fix later. I don’t always enjoy writing my first draft, it’s clunky and weird with great big plot holes that need fixing. But I love the second edit. It’s magical, fixing, changing, listening to my characters and acting accordingly. We all write differently, but I recommend some kind of structure to begin with, even if it changes later on.

Be Writing Goal Savvy

Ask yourself: do goals motivate you — or stress you out? For some, they’re essential; for others, they’re discouraging pressure. Goal-setting works… but only if it suits your style. Go easy — tiny goals, gentle rewards, and there’s no shame if you slip. I use a diary to physically write down the amount of words that I’ve written every day, then I recalculate what’s left. You can also do this in a spreadsheet, or use Scrivener, the writing tool of many authors, including me. It has a nifty writing goal counter that I also use. Pacemaker Planner is another app that helps you stay on track. But it’s not about the apps. Just remember, it’s more about mindset than method.

Stick with It — For Real

They say it takes about 66 days to form a habit. That means committing to your small writing target every day — or nearly every day — for two full months. Once that habit clicks, it’s like brushing your teeth — you just do it without thinking. Commit to your goal, grab your calendar and X off each day.

How to Start Your Writing Habit

• Same time and place: Write at the same spot and time each day.
• Rituals help: Maybe it’s a mug of tea, a playlist, a scented candle or a writing soundtrack.
• Keep it fun: If writing turns into a chore, think about the story you’re creating. If it’s boring you then it will bore the reader. Spice things up a bit! Now don’t get me wrong, there are times when writing feels like doing endless homework. You’ve got to put in the work,even on the days you don’t feel like it. But then there’s the times your characters surprise you and that makes it all worthwhile. You’ll only get to know your characters by writing them. Only then they will develop and grow. It’s just like any new relationship. The more time you spend with that person (fictional or not) the more you get to know them.

Why You Need to be Ready

• GO small: your novel is your dream, your daily habit is your goal.
• BE consistent: just ten minutes a day, in the same place, with the same ritual.
• DON’T stress: tweak your goals until they fit YOU.
• STICK with it: habits take time to solidify, but once they do — you’ll start writing on auto-pilot.
• IMPORTANT: Fear holds so many people back. That uncomfortable thought of putting yourself out there can make you regret every harsh book review you’ve ever composed (hopefully there are none but you never know!). Be ready. Your brain will try to protect you from this icky feeling. It will roll out the excuses (too old, too young, too clueless blah blah). ‘No pain, no gain,’ my old Jane Fonda video workout tapes used to say (yes, sadly I am that old). Let me tell you what it feels like to be an author. Amazing. It feels amazing. I’m not saying it’s easy, but it beats the hell out of working in the police. I don’t know what your day job is or if you have one. But I have a feeling that you’d like to find yourself in this pretty amazing place too. Isn’t that worth putting aside time every day for?

Want to learn from a Penguin Random House published author with multi-million book sales? My writing masterclass offers hours of video lessons, workbooks, and more to guide you from idea to publication. We’re a friendly bunch, stop by and see what we have in store for you! My six part blueprint will help you to complete your book. Find out more here: Brave The Page.

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