If you’re anything like me, then you might be feeling a little lost as we try to navigate the world in 2021. For many writers, 2020 was a year full of inspiration and maybe you even found yourself with extra time to write. For others, productivity likely went WAY down. I celebrate the writers who were able to produce more than usual over the last year. But for those of us who have struggled with productivity, we may be having a hard time trying to get back into the swing of things. And to be honest, this post will likely come in handy whenever we fall off the writing wagon. Life is full of ups and downs and writing life won’t always go the way we want it to. If you’re looking to get back to it, here are some ways to get back into alignment with your writing.
Analyze your habits.
When I coach writers, I ask them to identify their “time sucks.” You can do this by keeping a log of your time for a few days or up to a week. I’ll never judge anyone for how they’re spending their time, but if we want to get writing done, and make progress on our projects, something has to give. There’s a reason they teach us about “opportunity costs” in economics. Writing requires some level of sacrifice. That means you may have to cut back on binging your favorite Netflix series or creating those Instagram reels. It doesn’t mean you can’t ever do those things, especially if they bring you joy, but you have to find the time somewhere. Unfortunately, no one has invented a system to create more time, but I promise I’ll gladly pay if anyone figures it out! Netflix and Instagram and TikTok are cool, but let’s make sure we also have a writing habit.
Create a schedule or a system.
After coming out of a writing rut, I often find myself struggling to get back to my regular routine. Sometimes, it requires that I switch things up and change my schedule. To be honest, I work wild hours at both my magazines and the studio, so I have to be flexible when it comes to my writing schedule. One thing that has helped me this year, was designating a specific day for writing. I know on this day every week I have to focus on writing. Since I know I only have one day, I’m usually very productive. I am able to do this by putting in extra time each day on other tasks. I also prepare for my writing day on the day before, which requires thinking ahead. I try to take care of any pressing work by the night before. I also create a checklist of what needs to get done in the writing realm that day. I LOVE using Trello. I use the calendar powerup to schedule each item on my writing checklist. (There are many project management tools out there, so find the one that works for you.) When I create this checklist, this ensures I’m not wasting time trying to figure out what writing needs to get done the day of. Prepping for your writing day in advance is key.
Write down your new goals.
If you’ve fallen off the writing wagon, that likely means your goals tumbled off with you. I don’t see this as a negative thing. This simply means you need a fresh start. I recommend writing out what needs to be done and setting a new manageable deadline for each. There’s nothing wrong with taking extra time—or a project taking longer than you think. The only thing I insist on is writing the goal down. I’ve talked about this before, but studies have shown that actually writing your goals down increases the likelihood of completion. The chances of completion also increase when you revisit and record them regularly. I suggest writing them down every week in a notebook, planner, or perhaps on a whiteboard.
Implement accountability.
For me, this is one of the most effective tools. I talk about it A LOT (especially in relation to goals) because I believe it’s critical. Even writers who think they’re going at the writing life alone, often have to be accountable to someone, whether it’s a publisher, editor, or an audience of readers. There are various ways to find and implement accountability. You could find a reliable friend to partner with and check in with each other as frequently as you’d like. It doesn’t always have to be a writer, but I think it helps when it is. Another writer will know your exact pain and struggle! You could also find accountability on social platforms. There are some fantastic and free writing groups! You can also start your own group. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Writer’s Atelier’s accountability group, The Write Gym! I run two write-ins each week in there, plus we check-in and set goals every single week. (There are other bonuses, but you can check it out if you’re interested.)
Reconnect with your writing community.
Sometimes, when you’re off the wagon, you might lose touch with your writing community. Reconnect. A good writing community inspires you, keeps you sharp by pushing you to write your best, and offers camaraderie. A community can be big or it might just be a group of writing friends. Stay close to your community—you don’t have to do this alone! (Check out The Writer’s Atelier Online Community on Facebook!)
Seek inspiration.
I have found that inspiration comes from some of the most unconventional places. Are you being an active observer? Your writing life requires that you are. Pay attention, listen, watch, discover. I was listening to author Jason Reynolds speak the other day, and he said that becoming a better writer means living a curious life. Are you asking questions regularly? I’ve found inspiration from podcasts that have nothing to do with writing, from reading great books, from social media, from watching TV, from listening to music, from a walk around my neighborhood, from snippets of conversations, from traveling, and more. Stories are everywhere and if you keep it in your mind that you’re always looking for inspiration, then inspiration will find you.
My last piece of advice is to be gentle with yourself. Life is tough sometimes, and we all have varying complications. It’s okay to not be perfect. It’s okay if you’re slower to meet writing goals. It’s okay if you fall off the writing wagon—just don’t stay there. What matters most, is that you keep moving the needle forward.
Racquel Henry is a Trinidadian writer, editor, and writing coach with an MFA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is a part-time English Professor and owns Writer’s Atelier. Racquel is also the co-founder and Editor at Black Fox Literary Magazine and the Editor-in-Chief at Voyage YA. She is the author of Holiday on Park, Letter to Santa, and The Writer’s Atelier Little Book of Writing Affirmations. Her fiction, poetry, and nonfiction have appeared in various literary magazines and anthologies. When she’s not working, you can find her watching Hallmark Christmas movies.
