The Secret to Consistent Writing: Pre-Writing Rituals
How to Set the Stage for Uninterrupted Creativity
Ask a runner about her pre-running routine, and she’ll likely tell you about warming up, stretching, and planning the route. She might tell you the simple act of lacing up her shoes gets her excited to head out the door.
Ask a bodybuilder about his routine, and he’ll likely say something similar: a warm-up and some ballistic stretching while going over the workout in his mind.
Ask an aspiring writer what she does before writing, and she’s likely to say, “What do you mean? After putting the kids to bed, I try to write.”
If you struggle to write consistently, perhaps the missing piece is a pre-writing ritual...
What is a Pre-Writing Ritual?
Put simply, the ritual is pretty much anything you consistently do before you start writing. It can be as simple as listening to a specific playlist, having a cup of tea, or slowing down for a few minutes of meditation.
When I wrote The Wishing Stone, I slipped into the same comfortable sweatshirt before every session. I didn’t know it then, but that became my ritual.
Writing nonfiction has a different vibe for me, and I’ve learned brewing a cup of tea helps set the mood.
If you write consistently, you probably have a pre-writing routine already, even if you don’t see it as such. The writer I mentioned above? Putting the kids to bed is the ritual. But only if she writes immediately after.
If she sometimes watches Netflix or blasts off a few emails first, that’s not a ritual.
How Does a Pre-Writing Ritual Help?
By consistently performing the same set of activities before writing, you create a habit loop, signaling that it's time to transition into "writing mode."
Over time, this association becomes stronger, making it easier to start writing with less resistance.
And as a writer, doesn’t “easier” sound good?
Creating a Pre-Writing Ritual
The ritual doesn’t have to be much. As long as it triggers your mind that it’s time to write, it’s likely enough to get you started.
If you’re looking for help setting a routine, I’ve found these elements help:
1. Declutter the Mind
Spend 5-10 minutes meditating or doing deep breathing exercises. This helps clear your mind and set the tone for focused creative work.
Don’t fret about a deep, Zen-like trance. The key is to clear your mind and disconnect from your to-do list and the other stresses of the day.
2. Prepare Physical Cues
Like a runner lacing up her shoes, physical cues can be a great way to signal to your mind that it’s time for the words to flow. So slip into that sweatshirt, brew a cup of tea, or do a few light stretches.
3. Set Up Environmental Cues
Set up a specific area where you write. This space should be comfortable and free from distractions, signaling to your brain that it's time to work when you sit there.
If music helps, start with your favorite song.
If you need a distraction-free writing zone like me, simply shutting your door can be the trigger you’re looking for.
4. Review and Pre-Write
To get the mind primed and ready, remind yourself where you left off and where you’re headed. Knowing where you want to start helps ease you into the story quicker.
Before you sit down to write, imagine yourself writing. Picture yourself sitting at your keyboard, the words flowing freely. Hear the click-clacking of the keyboard. Feel the chair underneath you.
The more clearly you can imagine yourself having a successful writing session, the more likely you’ll have one.
Give it Time
Creating a habit takes 21-66 days, so give your ritual time to settle in. Consistency is key. Embrace the process, and soon your pre-writing ritual will become a natural and indispensable part of your writing routine.
Do you already have a pre-writing ritual? I want to hear about it. What do you do to transition into writing mode?