Sometimes the writing rules we live by aren’t real rules, but merely things we think we “should” be doing in our writing lives.
It’s amazing how much power these “rules” can have over our brains. They can keep us feeling like we’re endlessly coming up short, which can be discouraging to say the least.
You might be surprised to find that you’ve been living under one or more of the following potentially destructive rules. If so, it may be time to replace them with some new ones.
Writing Rule #1—You have to write longer on the weekends.
This rule stares you in the face while you’re trying to sleep in on a Saturday morning. It exists in your mind because you probably weren’t able to meet your writing goals during the week.
Stuff happens, and sometimes it’s tough to maintain that daily writing practice or to get in all the words you’d planned. So here comes the weekend and the rule is: You have to catch up! Let’s get going!
What’s wrong with this rule? Nothing, unless it starts to lead to burnout. We all need time to refresh and restore, and for most of us, the weekend offers the only opportunity to do that. If you start to feel like writing is a chore, it may be time to replace this rule.
New Rule Suggestion: Relax and recharge first. So maybe take Saturday off. Then if you’re feeling ready on Sunday, go ahead and get back into your story. If you need a little more time, enjoy the entire weekend. You may find that you’ll write a lot faster and more efficiently when Monday comes around.
Rule #2—You have to write so many words each time.
When establishing a writing habit, you may have landed on a word count requirement for yourself. That can be a good thing if it motivates you to get the writing done. It may also help you to shut out the editing side of your brain because you know you have to get those words in.
What’s wrong with this rule? Again, there’s nothing wrong with this rule…unless it starts wearing you down. And that can happen in a hurry if you go just a day or two without meeting that word quota. Suddenly you can feel like you’re behind, which can create stress and pressure—two things that kill creativity in a hurry.
New Rule Suggestion: Use a time quota instead. Forget about how many words you write. Simply set a regular time to write and stick with it. This is an effective and motivating rule because it’s super flexible.
Even if all you have is 15 minutes, if you sit down every day for that 15 minutes, you’ll establish a strong writing habit that will serve you well. Plus it’s motivating—even if all you write is 50 words, that’s 50 words more than you would have had if you had been too stressed to write at all.
Writing Rule #3—You have to be in the right mood to write.
You sit down at your appointed time to write (because you’re following writing rule #2) and after a few minutes, give up. You just don’t feel like it. You’ve had a bad day. You’re tired. Or maybe you’re struggling with your story and the words are just not coming.
So according to this rule, because you’re not really in the mood, you should abandon it and try again tomorrow.
What’s wrong with this rule? Nothing, as long as you can get back into your writing the next day. We all have bad days, and sometimes the best approach is to let it go.
If, however, you find that you face the same problem the next day and the next, it’s time to ditch this rule because it’s becoming a way to avoid your writing.
New Rule Suggestion: Write about what’s bothering you. Instead of deciding not to write at all, it’s usually a better idea to write about “why” you aren’t in the mood to write.
What’s going on?
Give yourself ten minutes to free-write about how you feel.
You may not even know what is blocking you at first. That’s okay. Writing gives you a great way to release any pent-up emotions that may be hindering your creativity so that you can unearth the real issue underneath.
After you finish your freewriting, see if you’re in the mood to return to your story. If not, save it for the next day and repeat the process until your creative muse returns.
Rule #4: You have to work on your current projects.
This seems obvious, right? If you’re going to finish your poem, short story, or novel, you need to work on it regularly. So when you sit down to write, you work on your project. You do the same thing again and again until that project is finished. Efficient, eh?
What’s wrong with this rule: There’s nothing wrong with this rule as long as you stay motivated and productive. But what if you start to bog down on this project? What if you get tired of it, or get stuck in the middle of it?
What if—worst-case scenario—you start thinking about abandoning it? (Finishing is important! Find out why here.)
New Rule Suggestion: Have two projects you’re working on. This rule saved me when I was struggling with my novel. I switched over to work on a nonfiction book, and within a few months, the sun came out on my novel. (Yes, it really felt like that.)
The key to making this rule work is to keep both projects in the back of your mind. When you’re working on one, the other is still there, so your creative brain is working away on finding a solution to whatever issue you’re facing.
Keep some images around to remind you of whatever project is in the background at one time.
Rule #5—You must have at least 30 minutes to get any writing done.
You need time to get into your story. Say nothing of the time you need to get a cup of coffee or tea, turn your phone off, settle in, and dive into your make-believe world.
It makes sense. If you can carve out 30-60 minutes per day to write, you’re likely to establish a productive writing habit that will help you get your projects done.
What’s wrong with this rule: Nothing…unless you don’t have 30-60 minutes. And let’s face it—some days we just don’t. If you adhere to this rule, then you’ll assume you can’t get any writing done on those days.
Hmm…not the best approach if you want to be prolific.
New Rule Suggestion: You need only 5 minutes to get some writing done.
I’m serious about this—five minutes. You can get some writing done in five minutes. And yes, it’s worth it! Why?
Because even five minutes gets your brain into your story. You may write only 25 words, but that 25 words will serve to remind your brain where you are in the story, what your characters are doing, and where they need to go next.
That gives your mind a chance to noodle over your story even as you go about the rest of your day—a definite plus for your next writing session.
And a much better alternative than skipping your writing time and allowing your story to grow cold in your imagination.
What writing rules do you like to break now and then?