The Disciplined Writer

Discipline: training that corrects, molds, or perfects; control gained by obedience or training (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

Writing takes discipline. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could all sit down and let the words pour forth, without effort or struggle? Sometimes you do get into a flow and fill page after page easily, but most of the time writing is hard work. When the words aren’t flowing it’s tempting to chuck it all and go sit on the sofa to watch reality TV and eat cheese curls (not that I ever do that). This is where discipline comes in. Here are a few ideas to help keep the words flowing at a steady pace.

1. Make a commitment to finish something every month. I used to make New Year’s resolutions to write every day of the coming year, but I failed year after year—it was just too hard. If you give yourself a whole month to finish a short story or article, or even a chapter of your novel, you may be more likely to succeed. A deadline—even a self-imposed one—can help you focus and plan. Of course, this only works if you stick to that deadline!
2. Start a blog. If you want to keep your writing muscles in shape, you need to write frequently. The external pressure of maintaining a blog can motivate you to produce quality work quickly and consistently. And you don’t have to be a computer wizard to do this. Trust me, if I can blog, so can you. (By the way, I have two blogs now, Adventures in Editing and Notes from the Bog.)
3. Give yourself a reward when you meet a goal. Food rewards work well for me; I like to have a fancy chocolate bar or treat myself to breakfast at Bob Evans when I’ve been especially good. Choose a reward that will work for you, whether that means having a manicure, going to a movie, or enjoying your favorite dinner. Most importantly, if you don’t meet your goal, you don’t get your reward!

Remember that discipline in this case is not about punishment. The disciplined writer knows that working consistently over time is still the surest way to succeed at writing. If you miss a deadline, self-imposed or otherwise, look immediately to the next deadline and commit yourself to meeting it. Don’t look back and beat yourself up for your past failures; look ahead and create a plan for success today and in the future.