1. You don’t have one — but you could really use one.
2. You think writing every day is essential — it isn’t!
3. You keep trying to get up early (or stay up late) even though it just doesn’t work for you.
4. You listen to your excuses.
5. You don’t plan ahead.
6. When you feel blocked, you stop writing entirely instead of writing something different.
7. You don’t sit down with a writing session goal already in mind.
8. You consistently choose distraction over focus.
9. You don’t “feel like” writing, so you put it off. All the time.
10. You haven’t figured out how to “productively procrastinate” yet.
11. You keep trying to apply the advice of “experts” even though it doesn’t work for you.
12. Maybe you’re just not a “writing routine” kind of creative. That’s OK. Do what works for you! As long as you’re writing, it doesn’t matter when or how much.
Meg is the creator of Novelty Revisions, dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words. She is a staff writer with The Cheat Sheet, a freelance editor and writer, and a 10-time NaNoWriMo winner. Follow Meg on Twitter for tweets about writing, food and nerdy things.
Meg Dowell Writes 
Reblogged this on Ann Writes Inspiration and commented:
I have fallen into many of these categories…LOL!
Good advice, Ann. I re-blogged this, too. I need to keep some of these thoughts in mind as well.
Not only do I not feel like writing, I sometimes feel like not writing. I decide to proactively not write that day and I do it regardless if I have something to write about or not. Having something to write about does not push me to want to write. I have “not writing” down to an art form. Yeah, me and writing have a complicated relationship. – Robert
I actually completely understand this problem, yet I don’t think I’ve written a post on it. THANKS :) :) Not that I enjoy using your misery for content. That “feeling like not writing” struggle is real.
Interesting points. Number 9 caught me attention particularly. I would think that if you never feel like writing, you aren’t really a natural writer.
I think what’s more of a problem there is that many “writers” use “not feeling like it” as an excuse not to. I don’t feel like writing a lot of the time, but I do it anyway. I think there’s a big difference there.
Reblogged this on SCAN and commented:
Re-blogging to I can remember some of these things for my own writing life. This is a great list of writing myths – to do or not to do, that is the Question. I see myself in some of these. Thanks.
If I don’t feel like writing I can always KNIT.
Sometimes, it is profitable to take a break and switch our brain over to a new focus.
Often, that brings in new ideas we might not have encountered if we were just plugging along on the “don’t feel like writing” track. Creativity overlaps with creativity.
Absolutely! Breaks are sometimes your best option when trying to be more productive.
This was absolutely brilliant and incredibly true! I use to think I had to write everyday, but now I have figured out that I really do not have to. I am the type that writes from the heart and tend to have a plan of what I want to write about.Thank you so much for sharing these fantastic ideas and advice!
You’re welcome as always :)
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this post from the Novelty Revisions blog with 12 things wrong with your writing routine.
Reblogged this on Anna Dobritt — Author.
Good advice, Meg. We all need to do what comes naturally for us. I write every day in some way – emails, blogging, on social media or on a new book. It all works for me. Thanks. 😆
True! :)
..hahahaha, sorry I can’t help myself from laughing! This is so me.. specially the second! ;)
Haha I’m glad you found the post entertaining! :)
Love the image, right now from Lubbock/Amarillo Texas State include.