How to Use Writing Rituals to Get You Going 

by

Did you know that international bestselling author Stephen King follows a specific routine—or a ritual, if you will—before he starts to write?

First, he has a cup of tea or a glass of water. Then, he sits down sometime between 8:00 and 8:30 in the morning. He takes his vitamins, turns  on his music, and sits in the same seat, in front of a pile of papers all arranged in the same way.   

Of course, we know that rituals don’t have power in themselves to produce the heart-thumping, mind-blowing stories that come from Stephen King’s pen, but aspiring authors can benefit from writing rituals, too. 

What Is a Writing Ritual? 

First, let’s define the term. A writing ritual is a series of actions that you complete before you actually start to write.

As we see in the example with Stephen King, even the way he keeps his papers arranged at the start of the day is part of his ritual. But a ritual can also be as simple as taking some chai tea with you to your work desk. 

Benefits of Having a Writing Ritual 

Here are some tried and true benefits of having a writing ritual: 

It prepares you mentally for the upcoming creative process. 

Writing is a creative process, and you may not always be able to squeeze anything out. When you have a writing ritual, it prepares your mind for the upcoming process. Some people call it a way of “baiting the Muse.” 

Perhaps one way of putting it is that the writing ritual relaxes your mind and gives it the heads-up that after this sequence of events, it’s expected to produce creative output. 

It can help you develop a consistent writing habit. 

You form a habit when you consistently do one thing over and over again. And oftentimes, a cue acts as a trigger for your brain to go into automatic mode.

For example, when you know how to swim, as soon as you fall into water, your brain automatically goes into swim-mode. (Of course, unless panic strikes first, which hopefully it doesn’t!) 

The same is true for your brain. When you associate certain actions with the resulting act of releasing creative output, it becomes easier to form the habit. 

It offers a sense of consistency and stability.

When you consistently do something as a ritual, that means you always know what you’re supposed to do when it comes time to prepare for writing. It takes away much of the questioning about what you need to do: should I make tea or coffee today? Should I sit at the kitchen or in the living room? 

These little decision-making points, although they are indeed trivial, can be aggravating when you have to do it on a daily basis, so knowing exactly what to drink, where to sit, and what music to put on frees up your brain energy for the more important task at hand: writing! 

Examples of Famous Writers and their Writing Rituals 

Here are some examples of the writing rituals of some of our favorite authors:

Charles Dickens 

Dickens was known for taking a three-hour walk along the countryside or through the streets of London, which was, of course, a great way to stir up his imagination. 

Ernest Hemingway 

Ernest Hemingway would get up before dawn and start writing right in his bedroom. As soon as he was finished, he would go for a half-mile swim. He did this everyday of the week, fifty-two weeks in a year. 

Toni Morrison 

When she first talked with a fellow writer who lived by her own ritual, Morrison didn’t think much of it.

But it turns out Morrison also had one too: she would get up while it was still dark and make a cup of coffee. Then, she would drink her coffee while watching the sun rise, before beginning to write. 

Maya Angelou 

This author would write in a hotel room, with the same items within reach: a bottle of sherry, a Bible, a deck of cards, and a dictionary. I wonder which of these items were the greatest boost to her writing? 

Haruki Murakami 

When he writes a novel, Murakami gets up at 4:00 in the morning and then works for five to six hours.

After that, he either swims 1500 meters or runs 10 kilometers—and sometimes does both. Then he reads a little bit and listens to music. By 9:00 he is in bed. He does this day in and day out, to “mesmerize myself to reach a deeper state of mind.” 

3 Steps to Create Your Own Writing Ritual 

Hopefully the above examples can serve as inspiration. But what if you can’t swim half a mile or walk several kilometers? That’s perfectly fine, because your writing ritual should be one that works for you! Here are our steps to creating your own writing ritual: 

1. Think about your best time to write. 

Do you write better in the morning? Or are you a night owl? Figure out which is the best time for you to write, block off that time slot, and create your rituals around that time.

It’s important that you pick the most productive time for you, not for anybody else, because everyone is different. It’s time to get to know what works best for you.

2. List down activities and environments that help you to write. 

Do you write better in a quiet environment? Or do you prefer a little music? Do you write better in absolute solitude, such as the proverbial cabin in the woods, or do you prefer writing in the noisy bustle of a nearby cafe? Do you like writing after a heavy meal? Or perhaps after coffee but before breakfast? 

Figuring out your preferences can go a long way in helping you determine the best writing ritual for you. 

3. Choose a series of actions that are easy to replicate day in and day out. 

Sure, you may feel relaxed after a long hot bath and a glass of champagne, but if it’s not something you can replicate every day, it may not be the best choice for a writing ritual. These more complicated routines can perhaps be a once-in-a-while treat, but for your regular writing ritual, you need to find something easy to repeat. 

For instance, getting a cup of coffee or tea is relatively easier than mixing up a cocktail. Some writers also like tidying up their workspace before starting to work, and you can decide to clear out your work desk instead of committing to a complete deep clean every day. Going for a walk is also easier compared to going scuba-diving! You get the picture. 

Using Writing Rituals to Boost Creativity 

We hope this post has helped you decide to start a writing ritual to boost your own creativity. Of course, the ritual isn’t the goal, but rather developing healthy writing habits that can help you reach the full potential of your productivity. 

As you commit to your craft, day in and day out, you can continue to improve and be the best writer you can be. 

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

 

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like: