Changing Writing Habits

In the past, I haven’t been the best at maintaining good writing habits. However, I recognize the importance of consistent writing in becoming a successful writer. I have developed a plan to improve my habits, which I will share with you. If you’re struggling with similar issues, perhaps these steps can assist you in cultivating better habits as well. If you’ve successfully mastered your writing habits, feel free to add tips in the comments.

Enhance Your Habits

1. Find your writing groove. Find your best time for writing by identifying your personal rhythm. Some individuals are more productive in the mornings, while others prefer the night. Utilize your most creative period to maximize your writing. Consider preparing a cup of tea or coffee and a playlist to create the appropriate atmosphere, but make sure the music does not cause too much distraction.
2. Choose a writing area. You want a place that is uncluttered and distraction-free. Writing in the same place each day will help you get in gear.
3. Keep a writing commonplace book (or app) to organize your ideas. If everything is in one place you’re less likely to waste time on searching for that great idea you had the other day or the color of your character’s eyes. This is a place for all things writing–character sketches, outlines, mind maps, random quotes or other tidbits related to your WIPs.
4. Treat your writing like a scheduled appointment. Set aside a specific time in your day dedicated to writing, and stick to it. Avoid scheduling anything else during that time or treating it as less important. You may even want to write it down on your calendar to ensure you remember.
5. Enhance your writing process by allocating dedicated time for each task. Avoid distractions during your designated writing time (such as marketing, editing, planning, or researching). You can set aside separate times for other tasks before starting your writing hour. If one hour seems overwhelming, you may choose a different time frame or set a word count goal instead.
6. If you’re struggling to get started, try writing something short to help get the words flowing. You can prepare writing prompts beforehand that are relevant to what you plan to write about. For example, questions like “What is my character’s current mood?” or “What does my character desire most?” to help inspire your writing. You don’t want this to take up all of your writing time. Plan for 5 to 10 minutes on this. 
7. Write! It doesn’t matter if it’s terrible (it possibly will be), just let your creativity take over and get it all on paper. When you’re finished you will make it shine in the editing and revising stages. It helps to work on one story at a time. If you devote your scheduled time to one WIP, you’ll finish it more quickly and be able to move on to the next.

It takes about a month for a habit to become a part of your routine. You can train your brain to automatically start writing when you sit down at your desk or wherever you prefer to write. I have gained this knowledge through various experiences, classes, and online challenges. Now it’s time to put the plan into action and alter my habits. 

I have consistentally written over the past few months, but not on my WIP. My writing has been for blog posts (Mississippi Folklore and Writing from the Peak), which I love. I’ve also done a lot of editing and scheduling. I need to have separate times for these things as well. I’ll keep you updated on how that goes.

If I don’t prioritize my books, they won’t get written, so it’s up to me to make it happen. I’ll keep you updated on how that goes, too. Fingers crossed! Wish me luck. 😉

Wishing you all the very best. Keep an eye out for more writing tips, author interviews, homeschool shennanigans, and more, coming soon in future posts!

God bless,

~T

P.S. I’ve had a couple of book birthdays (Halloween Night and Other Poems in May and Zombiesaurs earlier this month) and giveaways to go along with them. Those were a lot of fun and I have more giveaways lined up for other occassions, including one for U.K. readers! Stay tuned!

A Chat with Author Carli Valentine

Last October, I featured several authors and their books and scheduled follow-up interviews with each of them. Carli Valentine and her book, The Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch, were among them, and today we’ll catch up with her and see what’s new.

Children’s Author Carli Valentine

Trista: Hi, Carli! Thanks so much for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about your books. How many have you written so far?

Carli: So far, I have published 10 childrens books. I have a lot more though that I have been working on that need to be illustrated and edited.

Trista: Do you have a favorite?

Carli: It’s hard to pick a favorite but I think I improve in my writing and illustrating with every book I produce. If I had to pick one, I would probably choose my newest book, “Later,” Said Gator. It’s about a procrastinating gator that struggles to clean up as he plays. This is the first book in a series I am working on that is great for all kids but especially for those with executive dysfunction and ADHD.

Trista: That sounds adorable! Which has been your best seller?

Carli: My best seller is “Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch.” It’s a fun book to help young kids learn about emotions through pumpkin faces.
My next best seller is “Extra Special Heart.” This book is very inclusive and was created especially for kids with Congenital Heart Defects.

Trista: You have a lovely website. Did you design it or hire someone to do it?

Carli: Yes I do have a website! I designed it myself. I love the creative process and had fun making it. There was definitely a learning curve in creating it though!

Trista: Do you have a writing routine?

Carli: My writing routine varies from book to book. But typically,I pick one of my ideas and start writing the story down as it comes to me. After I get it written I send it to an editor and get their input. After making some adjustments, I begin to illustrate my book. Then, I send it to a proofreader and do all the work involved with publishing so that I can get it out into the world!

Trista: How do you come up with characters and character names?

Carli: I usually come up with character names while writing the story. Certain character traits they exemplify match better with certain names. I also hold onto names when I hear ones that I like so I can remember them and make a list.

Trista: How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?

Carli: It can range anywhere from 1 month-5 months depending on how much time I have to spend on it. It is very labor intensive though. Especially because I illustrate and publish the book myself.

Trista: Which publishing route did you choose, traditional or self-publishing?

Carli: I am a self published author. 🙂

Trista: Me, too! What’s the best marketing strategy you’ve used?

Carli: The best marketing strategy I have used is helping other authors and networking with each other. I believe we get back what we put into the world and if you are giving with your time and help promote other authors, many kind authors will be willing to do the same for you!

Trista: Love that! What has been your best author experience so far? Your worst?

Carli: My best author experience would be receiving emails from families that have told me my book made a big impact in their life! That is what makes all the hard work worth it to me!

My worst author experience would be when I accidentally published a book with a doubled up page. That was very stressful, and I attempted to make it right with all those who bought my book before correcting it but luckily I found out something was wrong and fixed it fairly quickly!

Trista: Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Carli: I think it completely depends on what I am writing about but for the most part when I write my children’s books it energizes me and makes me feel young again!

Trista: Who was your favorite childhood author?

Carli: I loved Roald Dahl. His books always kept me wanting more! Loved all the creativity and imagination that went into them!

Trista: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Carli: Keep writing! Don’t make excuses! The sky is the limit! You’ve got this!

Trista: Thank you again for taking the time with me for this interview; I appreciate it and I wish you the very best!

You can learn more about Carli and her books on her Linktree profile and website. You’ll definitely want to snatch her books up!

My goal for Books by Trista Author Interviews is to encourage aspiring writers and to help connect fellow authors with a broader audience. Please like, share, follow, and comment to help an author out!

For more ways to help authors, check out this post.

As a reminder, I’ve cut Books by Trista posts back to once a month for the time being. I’ll have the occasional bonus post, though. Stay tuned for more interviews, updates, and homeschool shenanigans.

Keep lookin’ up.

~ T