build a writing routine that sticks - 3 tips

One of the biggest struggles writers face is creating a consistent writing routine. Life gets busy, self-doubt creeps in, and before you know it, weeks have passed without any progress on your book. However, consistency is KEY to building confidence and momentum. A strong routine helps you stay focused, creates steady progress, and turns writing into a habit rather than a sporadic event. Here are three starter tips to build a writing routine that sticks.

1. Set Realistic and Attainable Goals

Many writers set ambitious goals that quickly become overwhelming. Instead of aiming for hours of writing every day, start small. A goal of writing for 15-30 minutes daily or hitting 300-500 words is more sustainable. Small, achievable goals create a sense of accomplishment, which fuels motivation and builds consistency over time.

I’ll be honest, I always have a 2-hour block of time set aside six days a week to write. Even though I have the time set aside to write, that doesn’t mean I write for the full 2 hours. Sure, sometimes I do. But other times I get a solid 30 minutes in and I’m satisfied with what I did because I achieved my minimum goal for the day.  

What I’m saying is that your goals need to be attainable for YOU. I have time set aside to write nearly every day but my daily goals differ. Sometimes I just need to flush out a piece. Sometimes I want to write a whole chapter. Sometimes, I’m editing like a crazy person. I have a minimum of 30 minutes as a standard, but my goals for the day vary based on what I want to get done and how focused I am. 

I challenge you to set your daily writing goals whenever you sit down and see what happens!

2. Find a Dedicated Writing Space 

A structured environment makes a significant difference in your ability to write consistently. Find a space—whether it’s a quiet corner, a coffee shop, or a library—where you can focus without distractions. 

My favorite place to write is in what used to be my grandparent's craft room. They are wood carvers so the room is full of wood carvings of birds, bears, and fish and some funny driftwood they found on Pacific beaches. There’s this large window to my right where the sun can shine brightly through and the room feels lighter when it’s snowed outside (which isn’t often in the PNW, but magical when it does). I’ve a small desk with a calender in front of me, a pencil holder full of colorful pens, my content planner calendar, my daily scheduled planner, a copy of “Soul of the Stars,” an Untamed candle, and my dogs laying off to the side. This is the perfect place for me to focus. 

Do you have somewhere you can write? If you don’t, what would your ideal writing space be and/or look like?

Bonus: In addition to designing or finding a space to write, set aside a specific time of the day to write. Then treat it like an appointment. It’s non-negotiable. A must. A get-to AND a have-to. When you show up for your writing at the same time consistently, you start creating a habit and soon it’ll become something you do.  

3. Develop a Pre-Writing Ritual

A pre-writing ritual signals to your brain that it’s time to write. This could be as simple as making a cup of tea, journaling for a few minutes, listening to a specific playlist, or saying a short prayer. Rituals reduce resistance and make it easier to slip into creative mode, especially on days when motivation is low.

My pre-writing ritual begins 10 minutes before I sit down to write. At 7:50 AM, after completing my wake-up ritual (a whole other post later), I refill my cup of coffee, tea, or whatever beverage I start my day with and I tell the dogs, “Let’s go to work.” We go upstairs and get cozy in the craft room-made-office. I open up Instagram for the first leg of my writing sprint to tune in and get focused. Then, I pray - or I try to remember to pray - before diving into my work in progress. 

I know - that’s a lot. But I’m not suggesting you make your routine like mine. Just make it as simple as you need it to be. It needs to be simple if it’s going to stick. 

Bonus: Give Yourself Grace and Flexibility

No routine is perfect and life will occasionally disrupt your plans. Instead of being discouraged, allow yourself to be flexible. Missing a day doesn’t mean you’ve failed—just pick up where you left off next time and keep going. Progress is built over time and the key is to remain committed without being rigid.

Building a writing routine that sticks is about persistence. The more you show up for your writing, the more natural it becomes. And as consistency grows, so will your confidence and belief in yourself as a writer. You have a story to tell—let’s make sure it gets written.

Let me know what your routine looks like @tiffanieharvey_author on IG and Tiktok!

Want a simple, no-pressure way to writing more? Try my free 5-day writing challenge!