Be a professional.

Treat writing like a job, not a hobby

Writing a book is a creatively fulfilling pursuit, but it is not always 'fun' or 'relaxing.' That's why you need to put yourself in the best possible situation to be creative and productive. If you only write when you have free time, or are in the mood, you'll never finish this book.

3 Habits of Highly Effective Authors

There are no hard and fast 'rules' to being a productive writer. We have, however, noticed certain behaviours shared by the most prolific authors.


1. Read lots of books

A good book teaches you a lot about writing. Pick up every book in your genre that's either popular or has received critical acclaim. Try to analyze what makes these books different, paying close attention to things like story, plot, and characterization.


Also, branch out of your genre whenever you can. Perhaps you'll discover an idea or technique that you can 'steal' and use in your own book.


2. Make sure you have a plan

If you're writing a novel, it’s also known as 'plotting' your story. Chart out how one thing leads to another in your story before you begin. If you dive into the writing without thoroughly developing a structure, it will be impossible to keep track of how your story progresses.


Remember, you're dealing with tens of thousands of words — the last thing you want is to get overwhelmed and stop writing!


3. Give yourself deadlines

Do not get stuck in a loop of endlessly editing a chapter. Don't rush and give your book the time it deserves, but make sure you maintain a steady level of productivity. Some authors give themselves a daily goal to hit: which could be time spent at the keyboard, or a word count they have to reach every day.


If you’re looking for support to help you develop a writing routine and hone your craft, check out our three-month How to Write a Novel course. With daily craft lessons, weekly webinars, and a supportive community, you’ll have the tools you need to write a rock-solid first draft.


That’s all for today! Tomorrow, we’ll be back with a lesson on the most important aspects of writing — re-writing and editing!


Until then,

Martin from Reedsy


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