“In writing, habit seems to be a much stronger force than either willpower or inspiration.” ~~John Steinbeck.

For several years, I’ve had a list of “The Seven Essential Habits of a Working Writer” scribbled on a scrap of paper and pinned to my bulletin board. I had copied the list from a book by author Jim Denney, who said, “Habits are constant. Inspiration is variable—it comes and goes. That’s why habits are better than inspiration. It is habit, not inspiration, that builds writing careers.”

I want to elaborate on that list, explaining why each habit is important—and how to implement that habit in your daily writing life.

A Writer Writes

You must begin to think like a writer—and that will lead you to acting like a writer. Then you’ll build the habits of a writer—and eventually you will get to enjoy the benefits of being a writer.

Seven Essential Habits of a Working Writer are:

• Write Daily
• Cultivate the Art of Solitude Amid Distractions
• Write Quickly and With Intensity
• Set Ambitious But Achievable Goals
• Focus!
• Finish What You Start and Submit What You Finish
• Believe You Can

With all of these writing habits firmly in place, you can’t help but succeed!

(This is a long post. For the full article and explanation of all seven habits, click here.)