Stephen King writes each day, even on weekends. Though there was a season of my life when carpooling and soccer practices took precedent, now that my children are grown, I also write daily. Is this wise? Depends on who you ask. Some writers contend that forcing yourself to write when you don’t want to or when life is stressful can lead to burnout and poor, sloppy writing. This has not been my experience. For me, the pros of daily writing far outweigh the cons. Below are seven benefits of daily writing. A few of them might even surprise you.

1. If you give yourself a daily word count, (Stephen King writes between 1,000 and 2,000 words a day) you won’t have the time or energy to worry about what other people (critique group members/ Amazon reviewers) think of your work. And comparing your talent to others’ will become a non-issue. Speaking as someone paralyzed by doubt, this not caring has been wonderfully freeing.
2. Most professional writers write daily. Acquiring this habit will help you to see yourself as a professional too.
3. Doing what you say you’re going to do builds confidence. If you tell yourself that you’re going to write each day and you do it, you’ll start to see yourself in a different and better light… as someone who is determined, reliable, and dedicated to her writing goals.
4. Writing every day forces you to write even when you don’t want to. I don’t see this as a con. I’ve found that often when I’m not inspired to write, once I get started, the words and ideas come. I now see ‘not writing because I’m uninspired’ as a missed opportunity for greatness.
5. Writing daily makes you a better writer. As I mentioned, some people believe that daily writing can become sloppy. But if you think about it, writing is a skill and skills improve with practice. When you write daily, you’re really just practicing writing. That said, it only makes sense that your craft will improve due to your daily writing habit.
6. If you write every day, you’ll feel more passionate about your projects. Studies show that the more time and energy you invest in something, the more you care about it. Bottom line, love is an action. So, if you want to love your latest work in progress, pick up your laptop and write daily. The passion for your project will follow.
7. You’ll have more story ideas if you write daily. It sounds crazy, but it makes sense if you think about it. If you write each day, like friends you hang out with, your characters will remain on your mind. Even when you’re not actively writing… when you’re walking the dog, doing the dishes, and driving your car… fresh story ideas will come to you. It’s an incredible perk of a regular writing routine.

Writing routines are personal. And there are definitely times in a writer’s life when writing each day isn’t possible due to family obligations, work schedules, or health issues. But, if you’ve never attempted to write each day, and you’re up for the challenge, consider a daily writing routine. It could be just what you need to level-up your writing career!

Thanks for reading! What is your writing schedule like? Do you write every day or only when the muse hits you? Do you think writing each day is too much? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject!