How To Discipline Yourself To Write A Book: 7 Amazing Tips
You’ve always wanted to write a book. You have a great idea for a novel, personal development book, or maybe even a cookbook.
But you just can’t seem to get started, or if you do start, you can’t seem to discipline yourself to write a book. Sound familiar?
If this has happened to you don’t worry you’re not alone. Many people who want to write a book never actually finish it because they lack the discipline to sit down and do the work.
But it doesn’t have to be this way! With a little bit of effort, you can develop the discipline you need to write your book and in this blog post, I will discuss 7 tips that will help you.
7 Tips To Help You Discipline Yourself To Write A Book
You’ve always wanted to write a book. You have a great idea for a story, and you’re excited to share it with the world.
But then you sit down at your computer, and the blank page stares back at you. Suddenly, writing a book doesn’t seem like such a great idea anymore.
But it doesn’t have to be this way! With a little bit of effort, you can develop the discipline you need to write your book. Here’s how:
No.1 – What Is Your Motivation?
First, think about why you want to write a book. What is your motivation? If you’re not sure why you want to write a book, think about what you hope to achieve by writing it, such as:
- Is it to share your story with the world?
- To become a best-selling author?
- To make a difference in the world?
- To inspire others with your story?
- To make people laugh?
Once you know your motivation, it will be easier to stay disciplined and focused on your writing goals.
For example, if you have a specific life experience and believe writing about it will help others, then you will have a strong motivation to finish your book.
No.2 – Set A Schedule
One of the best ways to discipline yourself to write a book is to set a schedule and stick to it.
Whether you want to write for an hour a day or two hours a day, make sure you put it in your calendar and treat it like any other important appointment.
It’s also important to be realistic with your schedule. If you know you can’t commit to writing every day, then don’t set that as your goal. Instead, try writing three times a week or even once a week.
The key is to find a schedule that works for you and then stick to it. If you have a family then it’s also important to talk to them and get them onboard.
Let the people in your life know that writing your book is important to you and come to an arrangement so that they don’t feel neglected.
It is very hard to stay disciplined if you feel guilty about missing time with friends and family.
No.3 – Set A Word Count Goal
In addition to setting a schedule, it can also be helpful to set a word count goal. This will give you something specific to work towards and help to keep you motivated.
For example, you could commit to writing 500 words a day or 2,000 words a week.
If you find it difficult to stick to a word count goal, then try setting a time limit instead. For example, you could commit to writing for 30 minutes a day or two hours a week.
The key is to find a goal that works for you and then stick to it.
No.4 – Create A Writing Ritual
Creating a writing ritual can also help to discipline yourself to write a book. This is something you do before you start writing that gets you into the right mindset.
It could be something as simple as making a cup of tea or coffee, lighting a candle, or putting on some calming music.
You might even want to try wearing certain clothing or writing in a certain place to get yourself into the right headspace.
Find something that makes you feel relaxed and ready to write and then do it every time you sit down to write.
No.5 – Find A Writing Space That Works For You
It’s also important to find a writing space that works for you. This is somewhere you can go to write where you won’t be interrupted or distracted.
Some people like to write in a coffee shop, while others prefer to write at home in their office or bedroom.
Find a place where you feel comfortable writing and make sure you have everything you need, such as a laptop, pen, and paper, or whatever else you need to write your book.
No.6 – Get Rid Of Distractions
When you’re trying to discipline yourself to write a book, it’s important to get rid of anything that might distract you. This means turning off your phone, closing the door to your office, and putting away anything else that might take your attention away from your writing.
It can also be helpful to set a timer so you’re not constantly looking at the clock. This will help you to focus on your writing and not worry about the time.
If you have trouble staying focused, try using a productivity tool like RescueTime or Freedom to block websites and apps that distract you.
No.7 – Keep Going Even When You Feel Stuck
Every writer gets stuck sometimes, but the key is to discipline yourself not to give up. If you feel like you’re stuck here are some things you can try:
- Take a break and go for walk to clear your head
- Talk to someone else about your book idea
- Read other books in your genre to get inspiration
- Write in a different location
- Try writing at a different time of day
- Use prompts or exercises to spark your creativity
- Find a writing partner or join a writers group
The important thing is to keep going even when you feel stuck. The more you write, the easier it gets, and eventually, you’ll find your flow.
Key Considerations For Successfully Staying Disciplined To Write A Book
I know it might not be want to hear but the best way to successfully stay disciplined to write a book is to write every day.
Yes, even if you don’t feel like it or if you’re having an off day.
The key is to show up and to keep going even when it’s hard.
It’s also important to set reasonable goals, make a plan, and then hold yourself accountable.
If you try to do too much or set unrealistic goals, then you’re more likely to get discouraged and give up.
So, start small and build up gradually. And remember to be gentle with yourself. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
If you can stick with it, then eventually, you will reach your goal of writing a book. And it will be worth all the effort.
Alternatives To Writing A Book Yourself
You’ve probably heard the saying that everyone has a book in them. But just because you have a story to tell doesn’t mean you necessarily want to write the whole thing yourself.
Luckily, there are other options available if you want to see your name in print without going through the process of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).
You can hire a ghostwriter to do the heavy lifting for you. This person will interview you, gather your stories, and then write the book for you.
Another option is to hire a co-writer. This is someone who will help you to write the book, but who will also have their name on the cover.
This can be a great option if you’re struggling to find the time or motivation to write your book yourself but still want to see it published.
There are also a number of companies that offer book writing services. These companies will assign you a professional writer who will work with you to write your book.
The benefit of using a service like this is that you’ll have someone to help you stay on track and accountable, which can be helpful if you’re struggling to discipline yourself to write your book.
Finally, you could create a low-content book. This is a book that doesn’t require a lot of writing, such as a coloring book, photo book, or journal.
If you have a story to tell but don’t want to write an entire book, then this could be a good option for you.
So if the thought of writing a book from start to finish is enough to make you break out in a cold sweat, don’t despair – there are plenty of other ways to get your story told.
Conclusion
If you want to write a book but struggle with finding the discipline to do so, don’t despair!
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to developing the habits needed to sit down and get the job done.
Just remember: setting goals, finding a schedule that works for you, and eliminating distractions is key.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get started on your dream of becoming a published author!
