Chapter 1: The Ritual of Writing

I often find myself awake before the alarm goes off. After several weeks of this routine, it has become second nature. My body instinctively knows when it’s time to rise.

In this tranquil hour, there exists a unique purity. The world around me is still, untouched by the hustle of morning commuters and the buzz of daily responsibilities. The chaos of impending deadlines—like today’s 9 am PowerPoint presentation or the pile of invoices waiting to be processed—feels distant and unimportant in this moment.

I slip into my robe, brew a cup of coffee, and settle down to write.

I dedicate this early morning hour to my writing practice, believing that the first moments of the day should be focused on what truly matters to me right now. At this point, it’s about delving deeper into my craft.

I’ve established a simple guideline: a minimum of 300 words. This target is quite achievable, although I don’t always meet it. Some mornings, the words flow effortlessly, and I surpass that goal in just 15 minutes. On others, I find myself grappling with a blinking cursor for half an hour, struggling to form a single coherent sentence before I call it quits.

I don’t allow myself to feel guilty for not always hitting that target. The key is showing up each morning to gauge my creative reserves. That’s the essence of the practice—it's not solely about producing polished pieces but rather about building the habit. Through repeated effort, my mind learns to identify what resonates and what doesn’t. This is about training my writer's muscle.

If I find something I like on a given morning, I’ll revisit it the next day for refinement and possibly share it on Medium. Yet, most of my early efforts remain as snippets and rough drafts that undergo further development over many mornings before transforming into complete articles.

Every writer should cultivate a daily practice. We can label ourselves as writers, discuss the craft, and carry notebooks, but none of that holds true meaning without actually dedicating time to write. It’s essential to carve out precious moments to engage with our thoughts and transform them into vibrant words. That’s the journey.

However, this process is seldom straightforward. Occasionally, inspiration strikes unexpectedly, granting a fleeting moment of clarity that floods the page with words. It’s exhilarating—like riding a wave of creativity.

But just as quickly as it arrives, the surge dissipates, leaving silence in its wake. You reflect on the experience, and realize only moments have passed.

The struggle resumes, and it’s during these challenging times that growth occurs—the moments spent wrestling with words, encountering obstacles that impede progress. Inspiration can be fleeting and erratic. We engage in practice to refine our skills, aiming to reach a state where we can face challenges head-on, assess our circumstances, and maneuver effectively to conquer our creative barriers.

In this video, learn how to cultivate a daily writing routine that enhances your skills and boosts creativity.

Chapter 2: Insights from Successful Authors

This behind-the-scenes look offers valuable lessons from a bestselling author's writing routine, providing inspiration for your own practice.