I’m a firm believer in helpful habits, systems, and rituals. Such things can grease the writing wheels, so to speak. That may not be the right metaphor; but you catch my drift, right? So not long ago I asked some writer friends (I have friends, I really do. “Mom, they’re picking on me again!”) to tell me about their writing rituals, in the hope that readers of this blog might find the information useful. Here’s what they said:
When it’s time to write, I head up to my studio. I sit in my writing chair, turn on my Christian instrumental playlist, start a Toggl timer, open up Scrivener, and begin to write or at least think about writing (Crystal Storms).
I do two things on writing days: burn lavender incense and turn on my lighted globe. The sweet aroma relaxes me, and the lighted globe reminds me of my promise to God to “go and tell” (Michelle Shocklee, award-winning author of Count the Night by Stars).
I carry two water glasses and a lemonade to work with me. I set one water on each side of my keyboard, so I can grab with either hand, and the lemonade is a treat. But once I get seated, I always say, “Okay, Lord, what are we writing today? Take me, use me” (Cindy Sproles, author of Appalachian fiction and devotional nonfiction).
I listen to instrumental music while I write because it boosts my concentration (Rob Currie, author of Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel).
I have a fruity ritual.… I sit down at my computer and look over at the stack of books I’ve already written and published and I pray something like this…. “Lord, you enabled me to write each of these books, please help me to write today… give me your wisdom and insight and write through me. Amen.” Somehow just looking at the work I’ve already completed gives me the confidence to tackle current projects (Michele Howe, author of Serving As Jesus Served).
I set myself up at my laptop with notes and resources, then the last thing I do before I start writing is take the dog out one more time! If I forget, invariably she’ll whine to go out just as my fingers are flying over the keyboard and the words are flowing. Those interruptions are painful (Ava Pennington, author of Reflections on the Names of God).
I grab a cup of coffee, a water bottle, and my walking shoes because I write on the go. I write on my treadmill. Walking helps me think. I’m pleased to report I’ve logged many miles and not one spill of coffee or water or one topple off the treadmill (Jean Wilund, author of Embracing Joy: An 8-Week Transformational Bible Study of Habakkuk).
So, what are your writing rituals? Do you wear a certain sweater when you write? Make the sign of the cross? Light a candle as you start? Sip a cuppa? Do tell, please.
Not Everyone Is Your Reader
When I sits me down to write
I take a deep and cleansing breath
for I am about to fight
my muse, again, unto the death.
When my fingers start to fly
across the keys, oh, dearie me,
she wants me to write how to die,
while I prefer low comedy,
and so I’ll play some Smash Mouth,
and then perhaps Duran Duran;
ol’ muse-y sees things going south,
but she’s done all she can
to make writing my epitaph
when all I care to do is laugh.
Laughter in the face of doom
Is how Jesus dispels the gloom.
Graveyard pie fight,
Death’s pratfall.
Holy mockery trumps it all.
To the victor go the spoils—
There’s power in your comic toils.
The joke is on our enemy.
The last laugh, joyous Eternity.
Karen, this is lovely!
Thank you…your poem inspired it, bro!
I usually find some good music first, and start an online writing sprint with my friends. I like listening to intense instrumental violin (like from Trailer Music Empire) because somehow it always seems to fit what I’m writing and I can make it into flow state faster. Every week I go to a music co-op and I have four free hours in between classes. I found a favorite desk chair there, slip on my headphones, and within seconds I can get to work (and there are little kids screaming and running everywhere!). If I’ve got my music, I can get into flow state any time, any place. And I can find I can ask 6k to my novels just on Thursdays!
You can write 6k on your novels in one day? I am impressed! That’s an achievement for sure.
I have instrumental playlists for every one of my writing projects, so I always make sure I turn on the right playlist to help me focus! I’ve also heard someone talk about having certain themed candles for each writing project that you burn as you write to help you get into the mindset for that project, but I have yet to find the right candle so I haven’t done that yet. (I feel like Nadine Brandes was the one talking about the candles… but I could be wrong.)
Thank you for this article! It gave me some ideas about improving my writing system as well! I love that idea about writing while walking on the treadmill!
I have told friends who have a hard time starting, that writing often is a step of faith. Sit down at your keyboard, take a deep breath, and start typing. That first step is what He is waiting for. It has never failed me. Plus, sometimes I remember the joy I get when the flow is at its peak and my eyes are closed and my fingers fly.
I, like many of us, start off with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to “come write with me” (or, is it the other way around?) I’m a pantser, so I don’t usually have any notes or outlines. I put on my headphones with some good Christian Rock and begin typing. I am usually in the flow within a minute or two. I once read some advice from an author (Jim Denny, Writing in the Presence) about getting bogged down with trying to edit as you go. That’s a huge bottleneck for inspiration. He said, “Sit down, start typing, vomit your imagination all over the Keyboard, and clean it up later.” That’s a not-so-good paraphrase of Jim Denny’s advice.
Get some water, find an instrumental playlist with no ads and just write. I also love having my numerous notebooks surrounding me so that if I get stuck I can look at my messy brainstorming notes. Praying before writing always helps me set my mind on what is important and I aim to remember to do that more often.
I could never do Jean Wilund’s ritual– that is pretty impressive that she can do that!
I am always amazed at the writers who can write with music in their ears. I cannot. If the song has words, even if it’s just an instrumental, my mind goes to the words, and what I thought I was writing is no more. If the song doesn’t have words, my mind gets busy writing lyrics to the music. I need quiet, dead quiet, to be able to write. Quiet is a rare commodity in my house.
I’m with you, Judith! I can’t have any music playing, just pure sweet quiet!
I always brew cups (yes, multiple) of hot Earl Grey Tea. Yum!