Writing Every Day?

December 31, 2025

Thirty years ago, I took a job that combined supervision with grant writing and learned to juggle managing a team with looming deadlines. About ten years in, I took a more straightforward job in a larger organization, writing grants and business proposals.

Deadlines, often extremely short deadlines, governed my work life. By necessity, I wrote for hours every weekday and often weekends.

(Image by congerdesign from Pixabay)

Leaving the Corporate World

When I finally hung up my corporate hat in favor of rural life, I decided on two hobbies. Gardening, about which I knew virtually nothing. Writing fiction, about which I thought I knew everything I needed to succeed.

 Six weeks of training got me in shape for gardening. It took four years of struggle to learn that writing fiction called on a vastly different craft than my years’ long stint of writing for business.

One thing hadn’t changed. I kept running into advice that made sense to me. It was:

 If You Want to Write, Write Every Day

I don’t know who decided this. As I inched my way into the social media world, I found folks who insisted this is what it took to be successful. Others, also successful, were in the camp of “when the mood strikes.” And still others, those I admired most, by necessity devoted most of their time to families and part time or even full-time jobs. Somehow, they eked out a few precious hours to successfully writing.

 You do You

In time, I discovered that writing most days worked for me. What enhanced the time I spent working on stories was the practice of creativity. The creative bent of mind made my writing, and my life, richer. I believe this is true for writers, artists, scientists, and everyone else.

Creativity offers a way of perceiving the world that turns ordinary moments into a powerful force. Being creative every day IS writing every day. Not necessarily words on paper, but when it’s time to sit down at the computer or with pen, the creative person will find that words flow more easily.

Wondering how to nurture your creative soul?
Practicing three habits daily help me and may help you.

(Image by Enrique Meseguer from Pixxabay)

# 1 Pay Attention

Most days, we run full speed ahead. Maybe we’re focused on a single task, dealing with this problem or that person. Speed, efficiency, and routine are our everyday friends. But creativity is more about the brief pauses that give us a chance to notice a new thought, a new way of seeing, or discovering a new story. Practicing mindful pauses will make creative mind habitual.

 #2 Embrace the New

Creativity asks for willingness. We travel exciting paths when we explore the unknown. Got a story idea? Play with what ifs. Write it chronologically backwards. Add music or recipes for the reader. Small (private) acts of experimentation build confidence and flexibility, two qualities that fuel creative momentum.

 #3 Let Your Subconscious Simmer

On social media, I often see writers bemoan what seem to be writing dry spells. Or burn out. Or boredom with their work in progress.  What may be needed is time to percolate. Let your subconscious do the work. Go weed the garden, clean the garage, take a walk or a ride, or read a book. Anything to give your brain a chance to simmer until the soup is ready. Trust the process. Keep a notebook and pen handy.  

 This much is true. We’re all the same but also different. What works for me might not work for you. Take time to find your locus of creativity, and the time you have available to write will be more productive.

 Still wondering how this will help? Take a week in the New Year. Keep a creativity journal and give these three creative habit builders a trial run. Check how you’re doing at the end of the week and then? Keep experimenting.

 I’d love to hear how it goes. Comment below!