Don’t Let Interruptions Throw Your Writing Off Course

At the end of 2018, I saw a few Instagram stories from writers who were recounting all of their major accomplishments for the year.

Everything from publishing books to landing on bestseller lists for multiple weeks to writing drafts of one or more other novels.

I mean!

It was actually really stunning to see how much some people write and publish in a single year. I know everyone is different, but it lit a fire in me to see if I can get more done this year, too.

If you feel like you want to get more writing done this year, too, you’re not alone.

And if you feel like interruptions to your life or your routine or just your mental state might throw you off course, I have some ideas for how you can maintain your writing life no matter what might come up.

Know Your Why

What’s your core reason for writing? Why do you want to do it regularly?

For me, it’s because my identity is connected to writing.

I’ve been fascinated with stories and storytelling and words since I was a kid (like a lot of writers!), so my need to write is a deep-rooted one that started a long time ago.

When I don’t write often enough, I feel generally irritated, restless, annoyed. It’s almost like writing releases pent-up creative energy that needs an outlet or else it makes a mess in my brain.

Basically, writing is vital to my overall sense of happiness.

Once you understand your most basic reasons for writing, you have something concrete you can come back to when life distractions pop up.

This is especially important if writing is more than just a hobby. For some people, it’s a necessity.

Have A Routine

Writing routines are great.

They’re like safe little houses you can duck inside when you want to write. The layout and decor never change. You always know what to expect when you walk inside. And they’re always there, unlocked, ready for you.

Routines can be simple and still be powerful.

My favorite routines are tied to a sense: hearing certain music, smelling certain tea, eating a certain snack.

But they can also be tied to time, place, writing utensil, a physical act, prayer, meditation, yoga. Whatever works for you.

I recommend having some kind of routine, however small, because it makes it easier to keep writing or return to your writing if life interrupts you for a while.

If you have to take a break from your writing, it can be infinitely easier to start up again with an already-established routine that triggers your brain to write. 

Routines can also make it easier to stay in your writing practice when life gets chaotic. They can even make writing feel like a refuge. The world might be swirling around you, but your unique writing routine gives you something real and familiar to lean on.

Ask For Help And Trust Yourself

These are two things I’m going to be doing more in 2018!

Be wise enough to recognize when you need help and ASK for it.

That might mean help with accountability, help with childcare, help with getting up early to write before work, help with life chores that make it hard to write as often as you want.

You don’t have to do it all. Let other people shoulder some of your load so you have more bandwidth and time to write.

And trust yourself! Please, please, please.

Trust the way you feel, trust what you want to write about, trust that you’ll figure out the best way to make time for writing in your life.

Trust that if your writing is interrupted momentarily (hello distractions of daily life!) or for a longer period of time, you’ll always make your way back to the page. It’s always there, and your writing is always with you no matter what’s happening in life or the world around you.

Tell me, what do you do when your writing gets thrown off course?