What Is A Writing Practice?
A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
Regina Brett
A writing practice is when you write. Daily. That’s all there is to it.
It’s not fancy. Or structured.
It doesn’t require a lot of skill, as skill grows with practice, but it does require commitment.
Why Establish a Writing Practice for Yourself?
There are a lot of good reasons why you would begin a daily writing practice.
You can write for yourself without the expectation of sharing or publishing what you write. In this case there’s no pressure other than to fill a few pages every day.
But establishing this practice is the foundation for achieving any success as a writer.
In her book, The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron encourages artists and creatives (of any kind) to establish a writing practice as a way to get thoughts and feelings out onto paper, and as a way to recognize and reframe the inner critic and any negative self-talk. She calls this writing the Morning Pages and describes this ‘stream of consciousness’ daily writing as ‘the bedrock tool of a creative recovery.’
This daily writing practice is critically important if you’re considering doing other kinds of writing such as:
- A book
- A blog
- Your Memoirs
A daily writing practice will not only make you a better writer, but also, a more observant reader. You begin to recognize the skills inherent in really good writing, which in turn makes you a better writer.
How Do You Establish A Writing Practice?
You get a pen or pencil and a notebook. And you write 3 pages every day when you first wake up. That’s it. Just 3 pages.
Simple yes, but not easy.
Looking for a little support and encouragement? Check out our Writers’ Accountability Group, a place where writers help writers start and maintain a regular practice for all types of writing.
We’re also developing some courses on planning and publishing your memoirs, and writing effective marketing content.