In my last blog posting, I talked about using copy work to get started for a writing session. The concept goes like this: for five minutes, copy word-for-word, a few paragraphs of your favorite author or novel. Then start your actual work-in-progress (WIP).
It made me realize copy work is just one way to warm up for a writing session. Several exercises exist that can get a writer in the mood to create on those days when they just aren’t feeling it.
In his Atomic Habits, James Clear shares how a “pre-game” or motivational ritual can get someone in the mood to accomplish a task. A fun, five-minute game can create positive feelings with writing sessions that follow. This is a perfect way to get started on a writing sprint – a way to want to get started on a writing sprint.
Go here to see more ways Atomic Habits can help the writer.
Here’s a list of motivational rituals writers can use to get in the writing mood. For five minutes, the writer can do one of these and see if it helps get them psyched to make some headway on their WIP.
Motivational Rituals for Writing:
Set a timer and do one of these for 5-10 minutes before a writing session:
- Copy Work – pick a passage of your favorite author or novel and hand-write or type it out word-for-word.
- Story Prompts – use a prompt to write a three to five-sentence story, or to get started on one you can work on for each motivational ritual.
- Edit the Previous Session’s Work – return to what you wrote last time and edit it for only five to ten minutes. Then start writing fresh material.
- Outline Unwritten Scenes – whether you are a planner or pantser, jot down a few notes for upcoming scenes you haven’t written yet.
- Work on another WIP – outline or edit something else you’re working on for a few minutes. It should be something you are actually writing.
- Backstory of character, city, object, etc. – continue working on background notes and ideas for characters and other parts of the story.
- Voice Journals – practice writing random monologues for your characters. You may not use it, but it will help with dialogue between characters.
- Ask yourself what you want to accomplish today in terms of your writing. Jot down notes on what you’d like to get done as a writer in the next hour.
- Ask what is going to happen in the scene – about to start a new scene? Write what you want to happen. Come up with different possible endings.
- Sensory snapshot – Look around where you’re at. Write three or four sentences using what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel (textures).
- First line remix – take the first line of a novel chapter or short story and continue the story in your own way. Don’t worry about matching the original.
- Emotion shorts – pick an emotion. Write a three-sentence story about that feeling.
- Character clips – spend a few minutes inventing a new character. Invent their name, clothing, and appearance. Come up with a weird habit they have.
Try a different motivation from the list each day. Or stick to one or two that work for you. Invent your own motivations. The idea is to get excited about working on your writing project.
Friday’s Findings
- Plot As A Utility
- Whoa, That’s Tense. 3 Ways to Raise the Tension in Your Scenes
- Dissecting Creative Guides
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Andrew M. Friday 
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