Comments on: Five Ways to Build the Writing Habit

By: Cisco

Cisco — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:09:26 +0000

Nice post here..I used to write a diary daily, just scribble my thought of my mind which I found very realxing and free-ing…need to get back on that it reallt keeps the writing juices flowing.

thanks again for your great blog and posts

Cisco

By: Ali Hale

Ali Hale — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:52:10 +0000

Thanks Yuro, I think writing is a fantastic hobby but it’s more than that too!

Great tips, Dean, I’ve definitely found blogging helps with writing discipline. It’s hard to have “writers’ block” when you’re committed to posting a piece that day!

By: Dean Rieck at Pro Copy Tips

Dean Rieck at Pro Copy Tips — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:15:53 +0000

Years ago, I took up the drums. But I hated to practice and ended up not drumming much. The only thing that got me going was joining some bands where I HAD to practice or look like a fool in front of people.

If you want to build a writing habit, commit yourself to actually publishing articles that others will read – on a blog, in a local newspaper, for your church bulletin, anywhere. This making writing real and creates real purpose and actual deadlines.

By: Yuro

Yuro — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:54:13 +0000

That is great post Ali. I never thought that writing is a habit, I always though that it was a hobby. And so I declare myself a writer… just like you said.

By: Ali Hale

Ali Hale — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:23:40 +0000

Thanks Vijay!

Yes, I usually find that once I get over that initial resistance, I get on a roll and the words keep coming…

By: Vijay - Meditation Techniques Guide

Vijay - Meditation Techniques Guide — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:19:38 +0000

Excellent post! You made a great point on how we can effectively build up the writing habit. Setting up a target and being perservent really helps a lot. And once we begin to start writing, the words just keeping coming and the writing becomes easier. In no time, we find that the post is complete!

By: Terry Lange

Terry Lange — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:37:54 +0000

Thanks for the tips. I enjoy carrying a moleskine and write down things that come to mind or that I hear. It has been helpful to remember things that I want to write about on my blog at a later time.

By: sonika

sonika — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:31:04 +0000

Good advice…A writer may try http://glocalwriters.com
They offer a get paid to write opportunity with an upfront payment option.

By: Retirement Scenarios » Do you want to write?

Retirement Scenarios » Do you want to write? — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:00:31 +0000

[...] to become a writer? Check out Five Ways to Build the Writing Habit by Ali Hale on the Write to Done blog. The comments are useful [...]

By: Ali Hale

Ali Hale — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:32:54 +0000

@Lindsay – Yep, half a page a day is about 180 pages in a year – quite a sizeable amount!

@Brianjuy – Good grammar, spelling, punctuation etc all has its place – but as you say, just writing and not worrying about those in the first draft is the best way to make progress.

@Zeynel – Great point for those of us who are bloggers or who are submitting work for competitions/publication … I would caution against worrying TOO much about formatting and presentation, though, it can often be a distraction from actually getting on with writing!

@Aaron – Yes, I often find that the initial idea is a long way from where I end up … but it’s a crucial part of the process.