How do you start learning to write? This is a question with as many answers as there are people asking it – in other words lots and lots.

I cannot tell you best way, or the only way to consider, but I can tell you my way. And at the time of writing, I have six books to show that it works for me.

In the very beginning I tried to write every single day, just for five minutes. This was not able creating anything earth shattering or even particularly great. There were no rules, and no editing at all, So the things that I wrote were very stream of consciousness, and at times didn’t seem to make any sense at all. But this was about habit forming, and for some people writing every day is what gets them from page one to The End.

Then I tried writing to word count, this works for many people…but you have guessed it, not for me. This just gave me something to rebel against, as if I needed any excuse, and made something that I love to do feel like schoolwork.

Feeling like a failure by this point I started to think about how my particular brain (it's an autistic one so likes to freestyle) processes the world. Hey presto I was away, for me I need peace, fresh air, and no disturbances (literally none, distract me at all, in any tiny way and my brain goes into factory reset). It sounds simple, but it isn't because it means I cannot write at home, or in coffee shops....I write in the car! yep, that is my way and it really works for me. 

And when I cannot write, I do not try. I tell myself that I need to rest, or get other things done. I recommend this to all my authors forced creativity isn't creativity.

You can try various ways to create your own healthy writing habits, and not everything will feel right for you. But you will need to develop them in order to get your own book finished. Starting a book but then not going on to finish it is the biggest problem writers have.

If you want to make strong writing habits, whatever that looks like for you, understand why people get blocked, and how to get out of, and stay out of block. Especially useful if you are stuck in a rut with your writing – which happens to the best of u, read the rest of my articles to pull you out of the mental mud and get your imagination back on track.

Whether you are a beginner establishing their writing routine or a seasoned professionals who need to get their mojo back I would like to help