How to Build a Daily (or Consistent) Writing Routine — Read Blog
For 2-3 weeks do your best to write something daily or twice daily, even if it's only a quick diary-style report of what happened that day. You ...
How to Keep Writing During Quarantine
I wrote about this part of writing routines in the article <anchor>How to Keep Writing During Quarantine</anchor>, so I’ll keep this brief. Getting started writing is the hardest part for most people. Those first few words or sentences can be painful, then the rest flows. One way to make getting started easier is to create a routine you complete before you start writing. This will train your brain to switch into creative writing mode whenever you do this routine.
How to Keep Writing During Quarantine — Read Blog — Ignited Ink Writing, LLC | Book Editor | Website/Blog Content Editor/Writer
Make Your Writing Linger

# How to Keep Writing During Quarantine

Right now all of our lives have been turned upside down. Our jobs have shifted to online or overtime or disappeared. Our families are constantly home together (good for some, not so good for others), and we are all worried. Put all of that together and many people don’t have much emotional space left to work on their writing.

As someone who works from home, I’d like to offer tips on being productive and setting healthy boundaries. I know some of these are easier said than done, but this is how I’ve kept writing. Hopefully they will help you keep writing too.

### Add Writing to Your Routine

I cannot stress enough how important a daily routine is when working from home. Not only does a routine help you be more productive, it also keeps you healthy by making sure you eat, sleep, and exercise at healthy times each day. If writing isn’t a part of your normal routine, now is a great time to add it.

Right now all of our lives have been turned upside down., but that doesn’t mean we need to give up the things we love. As someone who works from home, I wanted to share how I keep writing, build routines and set boundaries, so you can take my practi…

Here’s my daily routine before quarantine:

- Wake up and answer emails

- Work out or run

- Spend 1 hour on my writing (drafting or revising)

- Eat lunch and review tasks for the day

- Start working or go to writers’ group

- Knock 2-3 tasks off my weekly to-do list at least, usually at café or library

- If nice, go for a walk

- Take a break for dinner

- Edit videos for 1-2 hours or run a critique group/teach/present on writing topics

- Relax for the evening

- Read for 30-60 minutes before bed

I work out and write before I start on my paid work because my paid work quickly takes over my day. If I don’t work out and write first thing, they likely won’t happen. On Saturdays, I usually have a critique group or event for a writers’ organization, so I don’t write or work out. Sundays are my only off days.

Right now all of our lives have been turned upside down., but that doesn’t mean we need to give up the things we love. As someone who works from home, I wanted to share how I keep writing, build routines and set boundaries, so you can take my practi…

Here’s my daily routine after quarantine:

- Wake up and answer emails

- Work out or run

- Spend 1 hour on my writing (drafting or revising)

- Eat lunch and review tasks for the day

- Knock 2-3 tasks off my weekly to-do list at least (No more change of scenery to work)

- Go for a walk (no longer optional)

- Take a break for dinner

- Edit audiobook for 1-2 hours

- Relax for the evening

- Read for 30-60 minutes before bed

What is different now is that my roommate is home all day, which means it’s really easy to get distracted. I have to resist getting sucked into her TV show or conversation when I go get a glass of water or something. I’m also less productive because of the added anxiety around the virus.

If you haven’t found a daily routine at home yet, it’s time to implement one. After a few days, you’ll have more energy, feel better, and get productive. Even though I’m not as productive right now, I still get more done than before I established my routine.

Right now all of our lives have been turned upside down., but that doesn’t mean we need to give up the things we love. As someone who works from home, I wanted to share how I keep writing, build routines and set boundaries, so you can take my practi…

### Create a Writing Routine

You might have more obligations than me, so you might have to work harder to establish a new routine and find a place for writing in it. If you’re like me, you might also need to find a time when your mind is settled to write. That’s where a writing routine comes in.

You’ll need to come up with a way to settle into your writing headspace before you sit down at your computer. This will make starting to write much easier. You could do a 15 minute mediation, go for a quick walk, or make your favorite cup of tea. In quarantine, maybe putting your kids to bed is a part of settling into writing. Maybe you can write first thing in the morning now instead of spending 30 minutes driving to work. Maybe you and your spouse take turns watching the kids for half an hour, so you each get to write (or whatever creative act your spouse is in to).

My work out is a part of my writing routine. When running, I often think about my stories. When lifting, I am solely focused on my body, allowing my subconscious to work through story issues. Then I shower, get dressed for the day, get my cup of water, and sit down to write. During my allotted writing hour, I get to stare out the window or work on my story; that’s it. Some days I do more staring than writing.

I highly recommend you claim 30-60 minutes a day and stubbornly sit in your writing chair even if you don’t get many words down. Also, think about what helps you wind down and prepare to create. Add that to your writing routine.

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### Make Writing Fun

Right now all of our lives have been turned upside down., but that doesn’t mean we need to give up the things we love. As someone who works from home, I wanted to share how I keep writing, build routines and set boundaries, so you can take my practi…

The world is a torrent of change right now. I don’t know about you, but I find myself craving more uplifting and escapist entertainment to think about something other than the coronavirus. I even skipped an episode of Blind Spot because it centered around stopping a viral outbreak and that wasn’t want I needed in my fiction. Let your writing be fun now too.

Allow yourself to write that silly character or plot. Stick with the genre that makes you grin. Play with your favorite trope. Get whimsical and creative. Now is not the time to be hard on yourself for not drafting perfect stories. Let writing be your escape.

Sometimes I have a hard time being creative with I’m emotionally overwhelmed. That’s when I turn to fun, inspiring writing prompts. They give me a jumping off point and feel less serious than the novels I’m working on. If a short writing prompt doesn’t turn out the way I want, oh well, at least I practiced writing that day. If the prompt does morph into something amazing, great, but don’t pressure yourself to make it useful. It’s an exercise.

One fun writing prompt I have my beginning creative writing students do is this:

You’re a private eye who hasn’t had a case in months. Finally the phone rings. It’s a kid who wants to hire you. What do they need your help with? Write the scene on the phone or the scene in which you begin investigating.

If you need a fun writing prompt today, try this one. You could even have it be the main character of your book trying to help the kid or your villain. Regardless, have fun with it. Let you’re writing bring you joy.

Right now all of our lives have been turned upside down., but that doesn’t mean we need to give up the things we love. As someone who works from home, I wanted to share how I keep writing, build routines and set boundaries, so you can take my practi…

### An Editor’s Advice for Setting Boundaries When Writing in Quarantine

As a business owner, I have to set a lot of boundaries. Just because I’m home doesn’t mean I’m available 24/7. I need more than 40 hours a week to work like most people. I also have to set boundaries with clients, so they understand that I don’t work on Sundays or respond to emails at night.

You’re going to have to set your own boundaries too. This isn’t easy and will require an adjustment period for everyone in your household. The first boundary you need to set is your working hours. If you have kids, you’ll have to trade off childcare times with your spouse. Count your writing time as work time. If you prioritize writing in the same way you prioritize work, you’ll make progress during quarantine.

Setting these boundaries means the people in your household need to respect these quiet times. That means no loud music or TV if that distracts you and no unnecessary interruptions. But it also means setting boundaries for yourself. No laundry during writing time. No dishes. No internet surfing or home improvement. This is your time to create.

I know these tips are easier said than done. When you work from home, you have to be self-motivated and have self-discipline. These are not innate qualities; they are learned behaviors. If you want to come out of quarantine having written and stayed healthy, you’ll have to learn them. Set boundaries, build routines, and make writing fun during quarantine to Ignite Your Ink.

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How are you carving out writing time during quarantine? Share your routine in the comments below. For more articles on writing and a free Revision Checklist, subscribe to Ignite Your Ink.

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Caitlin Berve is a multi-award-winning fantasy author, editor, and speaker. Through Ignited Ink Writing, she edits novels, creates video tutorials, and writes. She has an MFA in Creative Writing and Poetics and teaches writing at colleges and writing organizations/ conferences. Her collection of modern fairy tales When Magic Calls won the CIPA EVVY Herb Tabak (best fiction) book award in 2021 and is available in paperback, audiobook, and ebook formats. When not writing or reading, Caitlin runs the Colorado trails or teaches Pop Pilates and makes color changing potions. She seeks to fill the world with the kind of writing that lingers with readers and find magic in modern times.

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