Hi, y'all! Jack here with a Tips & Tools article about how to write consistently as a student. As a freshman in high school this year, I’ve found it difficult to fit writing blog posts or working on my novel into my schedule whilst dealing with my many school subjects. Thankfully, there are a few tips, tricks, and tools that may prove helpful for writing more consistently as we kick off the school year. So buckle up and feel free to take a few notes or save this post for future reference.
Why Does Consistency Matter?
First things first, why even bother with consistency? Can’t you just write when inspiration strikes? Well, not exactly. Writing is like working out: the more you do it, the stronger you get. Here’s why:
Skill Improvement — Like any skill, writing gets better with practice. Writing regularly helps you refine your voice, experiment with style, and get a grip on grammar without even thinking about it.
Creativity Boost — The more you write, the more ideas flow. It’s like opening the floodgates to your imagination. Writing consistently helps keep those creative juices pumping.
Confidence — With every word written, you get a bit more confident in your writing abilities. You’ll start to trust your voice, your ideas, and your ability to express yourself.
Progress — If you want to write a novel, newsletter, or even just keep a journal, consistency is key to making progress. Little by little, you’ll see your work grow.
What’s Your Writing Goal?
Before you even think about how to be consistent, you need to figure out why you want to write. What’s your goal? Is it to express yourself, share your stories, improve your grades, or maybe even build a portfolio? Also, what projects do you need to prioritize? Is working on your novel more important than writing posts for your newsletter? Knowing your “why” is like having a compass: it keeps you on track when things get tough.
Set Clear Goals — Do you want to finish a short story every month? Maybe write a 500-word blog post every week? Whatever it is, make it clear and specific.
Visualize Success — Imagine what it would feel like to achieve your writing goals. Picture yourself holding a finished manuscript, getting an A+ on your essay, or seeing your blog post go viral. That vision will keep you motivated.
Building a Routine That Works for You
Now that you know why you’re writing, let’s talk about when you’re going to write. A routine is your best friend when it comes to consistency. For me, I like to work on my blog posts on the weekends or less busy days and I work on my novel on weekday afternoons, after I’ve finished all my school assignments. Now, I don’t have a perfect one-size-fits-all writing routine for you all; you must craft your ideal writing routine based on your situations and schedules. Here’s how:
Pick Your Prime Time — Are you a morning person, or do you come alive at night? Is there a time on most days when you have enough free time to devote to your writing? Find out when you’re most focused and energized, and set that time aside for writing.
Start Small — Don’t overwhelm yourself with a huge daily goal. Start with something manageable, like writing for 15 minutes a day. Once that becomes a habit, you can gradually increase the time.
Use a Timer — Set a timer and write without stopping until it goes off. This technique, called the Pomodoro Technique, is great for staying focused and making the most of your writing time. I use this on particularly busy days when my schedule is a bit tighter than usual.
Create a Writing Space — Find a spot where you feel comfortable and can concentrate. It could be a cozy corner of your room, a park, or even a coffee shop. Having a designated writing space can signal to your brain that it’s time to get creative.
Tools & Tricks to Keep You on Track
Alright, you’ve got your routine set up. But how do you actually stick to it? Here are some tools and tricks that can help you stay on track and make writing a regular part of your life.
Use a Writing App — Apps like Scrivener, Reedsy, Google Docs, or even just the Notes app on your phone can be super helpful. They allow you to write anywhere, anytime, and keep all your work organized.
Daily Word Count Goal — Set a daily word count goal that feels achievable. It could be as low as 100 words a day. The key is to write something every day, no matter how small because even writing just a few hundred words daily beats writing nothing.
Habit Trackers — Use a habit tracker app or a simple journal to track your writing streaks. Seeing those consecutive days add up can be a really good motivator to keep going.
Writing Prompts — Stuck for ideas? Writing prompts can jumpstart your creativity. There are tons of websites and apps that offer daily prompts to get you started, my favorite being Reedsy Prompts.
Accountability Buddy — Find a friend or group of friends who also want to improve their writing, and keep each other accountable. You can check in regularly, share your progress, and encourage each other to stick to your goals. Group chats are especially helpful and efficient ways to do this.
Overcoming Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is the absolute worst. We’ve all been there: staring at a blank page, not knowing where to start. But don’t worry, it happens to everyone, and there are ways to push through it.
Freewriting — Set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes and write whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or making sense. The goal is to get your thoughts flowing and break through the block. Some of my best ideas have come from random freewrites.
Change Your Scenery — Sometimes a change of environment can spark new ideas. Try writing in a different place or at a different time of day. If you’re really stuck, take a nature walk or go to a public setting and people-watch for a bit. Doing stuff like this sometimes helps my mind generate ideas.
Switch It Up — If you’re stuck on one project, try working on something else for a while. Sometimes taking a break from a frustrating piece can give your brain the space it needs to find a solution.
I have a lot more to say on this topic, but I’ll save some information for a later post. Subscribe to receive that when it comes out if it sounds like something you’d be interested in!
Sharpening Your Focus
We all know how easy it is to get distracted, especially when our phones are buzzing and a million things are happening around us. But distractions are the enemy of consistency. Here’s how to stay focused:
Phone on Do Not Disturb — This one’s a game-changer. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb or, even better, put it in a different room while you’re writing. Trust me, those notifications can wait.
Noise-Canceling Headphones — If you’re in a noisy environment, noise-canceling headphones can help you create a bubble of focus. Play some instrumental music (Spotify’s Deep Focus playlist is my go-to) or brown noise to keep your mind on track (trust me, brown noise is much better than white noise).
Set Boundaries — Let people know when you’re in writing mode. Whether it’s your family, friends, or roommates, ask them to give you some space during your designated writing time.
Take Breaks — Don’t forget to take short breaks during your writing sessions. Stand up, stretch, and give your brain a little rest. This can actually help you stay focused for longer periods.
Celebrating Your Wins
Consistency doesn’t mean perfection. It’s about showing up and putting in the effort, day after day. And when you hit those milestones, no matter how small, it’s important to celebrate!
Reward Yourself — Treat yourself when you hit a goal. It could be a favorite snack, a new book, or a break to watch your favorite show. Rewards can motivate you to keep going.
Reflect on Your Progress — Take some time every week to look back at what you’ve written. You might be surprised at how much you’ve accomplished!
Share Your Work — Don’t be afraid to share what you’ve written with friends, family, or online communities. Positive feedback can boost your confidence and inspire you to keep writing.
Celebrating the progress and success your consistency produces can help keep the momentum going and ultimately make writing progress something to look forward to.
Keeping It Fun
Last but definitely not least, remember that writing should be fun! If it feels like a chore, it’s going to be hard to stick with it. So, write what you love. Whether it’s fan fiction, poetry, blog posts, or journaling, find what excites you and dive into it.
Experiment with Different Genres — If you’re getting bored with one type of writing, try something new. You might discover a hidden passion for screenwriting, flash fiction, or even song lyrics.
Write for Yourself — Not everything you write has to be for an audience. Sometimes the best writing comes from simply expressing your thoughts and feelings without worrying about what others will think.
Join Writing Communities — Being part of a writing community can make the process more fun and less lonely. You can share your work, get feedback, and connect with other writers who share your interests. (If you don’t have a good writing community, check out The YA Section Chat! With the school year starting up and consistency becoming more important than ever, I’ll start posting accountability threads [inspired by
] and writing help discussion threads! Click the link below to join the chat today!)
The Bottom Line
Writing consistently is the best way to improve your skills, reach your goals, and really unleash your creativity! But it’s not just about the destination—it’s about enjoying the journey, too. So, find what works for you, stick with it, and most importantly, have fun with your writing :).
So, there you have it: your guide to writing consistently this school year! Remember, it’s all about setting goals, building a routine, staying focused, and keeping it fun. Writing is a journey, and every word you put down is a step forward. So grab your pen, laptop, or whatever you use to write, and start making those words happen. You got this!
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Have a blessed day! :)