From writing to written. How to build an effective writing habit - that lasts

You’ve some great ideas. You’re ready to go. So why aren’t you writing? Or at least – writing as much as you think you should?

Writing involves a mixture of craft and practice. To write, you need to be able to spell, understand the basics of grammar and grasp the rules of your particular genre, sub-genre or sub-sub-genre.

But to write, you need more than to know how. Knowing how is important, but that alone won’t get the writing done.

At some stage, you have to sit down and get it written. And that brings with it a whole other set of challenges. Challenges that, more often than not, are rooted in the knotty ball of emotions, fears, worries, doubts and hopes that we all have.

·      find time and prioritise writing over other equally important things

·      figure out how to get started

·      find a way to continue when you feel stuck

·      keep focused: because your phone, Netflix, friends and family, literally anything else, is there to distract you.

Craft is important, but if you want to write, you’ll also need to find an effective habit that means you turn up and keep going.

What stops you writing: procrastination, perfectionism, distraction and building a plan to overcome. Then, what keeps you going: finding time, building a habit, building support and accountability

Bec Evans and Chris Smith are the co-authors of Written: How to keep writing and build a habit that lasts and the founders of Prolifiko, a coaching business that helps people build productive writing habits. Prior to Prolifiko, Bec worked in publishing, she’s led teams of writers and managed a writing centre for Arvon. She’s also the award-winning author of How to Have a Happy Hustle, published by Icon in 2019. Chris has a background as a ghostwriter and content consultant to global business brands, charities and the public sector. He worked as an agency director before setting up his own communications consultancy and has written for national newspapers and magazines.

Vroman’s Live presents a webinar with Bec Evans & Chris Smith discussing Written: How to Keep Writing and Build a Habit That Lasts