Staring at a blank page? These six writing routines helped famous authors show up—and finish.
You don’t need a cabin in the woods or a magic typewriter. You need a routine.
Writing routines are how books get finished, essays get published, and first drafts become something worth editing. They’re the antidote to procrastination and the secret behind consistent, long-term output.
From Joan Didion’s sacred rituals to Hemingway’s dawn-till-done discipline, the world’s most iconic authors didn’t wait for inspiration—they scheduled it.
Whether you’re working on your first chapter or keeping the momentum going post-launch, a solid writing routine is your most powerful creative tool. Here are six author-tested methods to help you find one that actually works (and maybe even feels good).
Six proven methods for building a writing routine
There’s no one-size-fits-all routine—but the right method feels like it was made for you. These six author-approved strategies will help you build a writing routine that fits your brain, your life, and your deadlines.
Method 1: Write at the same time every day (Haruki Murakami’s extreme discipline)
Haruki Murakami famously starts his writing day at 4am, working for five quiet hours before doing anything else. It’s not glamorous—but it is effective.
Why it works
Writing at the same time every day builds rhythm. It tells your brain: this is when we focus. Over time, this routine becomes second nature—and that’s when momentum kicks in.
How to make it yours
You don’t need to be a morning person to benefit. Choose a time that fits your actual life—not your fantasy life—and stick to it. Whether it’s 6am before the house wakes up or 10pm after your work shift, what matters is showing up at that same time, consistently.
Think of it less like waiting for inspiration, more like clocking in. Creativity loves a schedule—even if you’re writing short stories in 30-minute sprints between Zoom calls.
Method 2: Start with a ritual (Joan Didion’s nightly reflection process)
Joan Didion had a nightly habit: she’d re-read that day’s writing before dinner—not to edit, but to reconnect. By the time she returned to the page the next day, her subconscious had already been at work.
Why it works
Rituals create transition. They mark the shift from daily life to writing mode. Whether it’s lighting a candle, queuing up a playlist, or setting your coffee just right, these small acts send a signal: it’s time to write.
How to make it yours
Pick something simple and repeatable. A favorite pen, a specific chair, a playlist titled Flow Mode ON. The goal isn’t superstition—it’s consistency. The more your brain associates that ritual with writing, the faster you’ll drop in.
Even the most famous writers—Didion included—used these cues to anchor their daily writing routines. Your version might not be Instagram-worthy, but it will help you become a better writer, one ritual at a time.
Method 3: Write a set word count (Stephen King’s 2,000 words per day rule)
Stephen King cranks out 2,000 words a day. Rain or shine. Holiday or not. By the time most of us are on our second cup of coffee, he’s hit his word count and probably scared himself with a new plot twist.
Why it works
Time-based goals are slippery—you can spend two hours rearranging commas and call it progress. A word count, on the other hand, gives you something concrete. It builds momentum, day after day, page after page.
How to make it yours
You don’t need to go full King. Try 500 words a day to start. That’s two pages. The point isn’t volume—it’s consistency. A manageable goal keeps your writing process moving forward, even when your writing ritual is just “open laptop, groan, type.”
Plenty of New York Times bestsellers started this way—with a small daily writing routine and a decision to stick with it. Famous writers didn’t wait for the perfect time of day or the perfect sentence. They just wrote the next one.
Method 4: Mix writing with movement (Kurt Vonnegut’s sit-ups and pushups)
Kurt Vonnegut didn’t just write iconic novels—he broke up his writing routine with pushups and sit-ups. Seriously. Between paragraphs, he’d drop to the floor like a man possessed… by deadlines.
Why it works
Physical movement jolts you out of procrastination and back into creative flow. Light exercise boosts blood flow to the brain, helps regulate mood, and gives your ideas space to breathe—especially during long writing sessions.
How to make it yours
You don’t need to bench-press your writer’s block. Try a quick stretch between scenes, a walk after each section, or a few jumping jacks before opening your laptop. It’s less about reps and more about rhythm—keeping your writing session energized and focused.
Many famous writers swear by the power of movement—because sometimes, the best way to find the next sentence is to get out of your chair.
Method 5: Stop mid-sentence (Ernest Hemingway’s trick to beat the blank page)
Ernest Hemingway had a sneaky strategy for keeping the words flowing: he’d stop writing mid-sentence. Not at a chapter break, not after a satisfying conclusion—right in the middle of a thought. Brutal? Maybe. Brilliant? Absolutely.
Why it works
Stopping mid-sentence gives you instant momentum when you return to the page. Instead of starting from zero, you pick up right where you left off—no blank page dread, no overthinking, no time wasted trying to “get into it.”
How to make it yours
At the end of each session, resist the urge to tie everything up. Leave a thought hanging, jot down a messy note, or write the first few words of your next paragraph. Future-you will thank you—especially when the cursor’s blinking and your coffee hasn’t kicked in yet.
Method 6: Experiment with writing locations (Maya Angelou’s hotel room method)
Maya Angelou didn’t write at home. Instead, she rented a hotel room where she kept only the essentials: a legal pad, a Bible, a bottle of sherry, and her imagination. No distractions. Just words.
Why it works
Your environment shapes your focus. Some writers need the buzz of a coffee shop; others crave the quiet of a library—or, in Angelou’s case, the anonymity of a hotel room. A new location can jolt your brain into a fresh creative mode, breaking routine-induced ruts.
How to make it yours
You don’t need to book a suite at The Ritz. Try shifting your setup to a new corner of the house, a different café, or even a co-working space. Experiment with light, sound, and energy. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s a space that helps you think differently and write better.
How to maintain a writing routine for the long term
Let’s be honest: starting a writing routine is easy. Sticking to it when life gets noisy? That’s where the real work begins.
1. Track your progress (without obsessing)
Whether you’re counting words, pages, or Pomodoros, tracking your output gives your writing habit structure. Use a notebook, an app, or a sticky note—whatever keeps you honest without killing the joy.
2. Find your people
Join writing communities (like Wordling Plus!) or share updates on social media to stay accountable. When you’re tempted to skip your writing time, knowing someone might actually ask how it’s going can be the nudge you need.
3. Make it fit your life
Writing before your kids wake up? Squeezing in a few paragraphs between freelance deadlines? Stealing twenty minutes during lunch at your full-time job? Great. You’re doing it. Some of the most famous authors built their first book while juggling everything else.
4. Consistency > perfection
You don’t need to replicate the daily routines of bestselling authors in The New York Times or The Paris Review. You just need to show up. Early morning or late night, full page or half a paragraph—what matters is that you keep the habit alive.
Find what works for you
Every writer’s process is different—there’s no single formula that works for everyone.
Maybe you’re a Murakami type, banging out pages at dawn. Maybe you need a Maya Angelou–style retreat from distractions. Or maybe you’re still figuring it out one word-count tracker and half-written sentence at a time.
The truth? A writing routine doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to keep you writing.
Need help making that happen—consistently, confidently, and without burning out?
Join Wordling Plus for writer-tested tools, coaching, and creative systems designed to help you write more, stress less, and build a career you’re proud of.
Because routines are easier to stick with when you’ve got people in your corner—and structure that actually fits your life.
Let’s get you writing. Daily(ish). On purpose. For real.
