So, you want to be an author, and you have an actual life? Nearly everyone has a dream of writing a book one day, but few ever even begin the project, much less end up finishing it.\u00a0 You want to get started on the great American novel, your memoir or the next Game of Thrones, but you are even more ambitious. You want to tackle it when you are in the midst of momentous changes in your life, like planning your wedding, first year with a baby, or starting a new job. Some would say to put it off till your life settles down to a routine. Instead, that period of personal growth may be the perfect time to start. \u00a0Fitting fresh writing routine into your life at the same time is a terrific idea.\u00a0 Making the decision to start is just the first step, however. How do you go about actually doing it? Building any new good habit helps to focus on a few principles and stick with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s all in the numbers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A time-honored tradition in the writing life is to set a daily word goal. Stephen King, the author of dozens of best-selling horror novels, sets a goal for himself of 2,000 words per day. Minimum! Stephen King is prolific. Most writers end up setting themselves a goal that falls somewhere between 500 and 1,500 words per day. You pick the goal, so that you can make it for you instead of against you. If you are juggling a baby and a demanding job, you may want to stick to the low end of the range to start. You may be surprised at how quickly 1,000 words comes once you get started. Combine discipline with a dash of self-compassion. Being a perfectionist can end your book writing days just as easily as a lack of focus. If you miss a few days, or just can\u2019t get past 300 words one day, be gentle with yourself. Just pick right back up and keep going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t wait for inspiration <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Neil Gaiman, the author of American Gods, <\/em>says,\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019re only going to write when you\u2019re inspired, you may be a fairly decent poet, but you will never be a novelist because you\u2019re going to have to make your wordcount today, and those words aren\u2019t going to wait for you, whether you\u2019re inspired or not.\u201d\u00a0 Neil would know a thing or two about the writing life, having written many best-selling and award-winning novels.\u00a0 Neil goes on to say that when he reads through the draft of one of his novels, he can\u2019t tell the difference between the scenes he wrote when inspired and the ones he wrote when he wasn\u2019t feeling it. \u00a0I\u2019ll bet you won\u2019t be able to either. Write every day, rain, or shine, happy or sad. As those words start to accumulate, soon, you will have the bones of your first novel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n