This post is for Michelle. I hope it will help other writers like me who are good at procrastinating.
Since finding my new friend ChatGPT (NOT for novel writing) but for general life problems, ChatGPT is a treasure trove of information. I asked Chat GPT how I might be better able to establish a writing habit that felt ‘warm and inviting’ and not like a noose around my neck. ChatGPT came up with lots of REALLY cool ideas. And I was telling Michelle very excitedly about how I was creating a writing ritual that felt inviting. And that 2026 was going to be my writing year. 2026 I am going to finish the novel and do a draft of my film script. She replied rather curtly, “It’s about discipline.”
At first I was like, a little aghast. But I need to establish my warm and inviting rituals to increase the chances I will turn up to the page. And then I wanted to burst out laughing. Because she was so right.
I loved that from creative to another creative that she could just say it out straight. My Mum, a creative and writer always said to me, “Writing is about bums on seats.” I often feel at times my Mum channels through Michelle. So thank you e hoa. Yeap it’s about discipline.
These are the posts this year I have done showcasing my attempts at getting into a writing practise:
- 2025 5th January - My magic wands are beginning to wave their magic: Becoming an early morning riser
- 13 JANUARY: WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN HOLDING ME BACK FROM WRITING THIS NOVEL?
- 9TH FEBRUARY: Reflections on Writing practise
- 16th Feb: The magic of turning up to the page
- 30th MARCH Update on the novel writing front: Distractions galore
- 22 June: Just keep swimming
- 29 June: 17 weeks to finish a first draft
- 29 November: 4 weeks to finish a first draft
Update: I will not have finished my first draft of Novel.
But I keep persevering. I’ve never given up on being a writer and I never will. Even though I may be undisciplined, distractable, great at finding excuses to do everything but write (do things like Iron Man events and 75 hard challenges to occupy me in other ways), berate myself when I know writing is what sings to my soul. Why wouldn’t you do more of that in your life? Because it often feels like hard work. And that’s where the discipline comes in.
I wonder what a 75 Day Hard Writing Challenge might look like. The people who know me well, including Michelle, will be shaking their heads right at this point wondering – why does she have to be so ALL or NOTHING? I’m 55 years old, I kind of think if I haven’t knocked that trait out of me by now, I probably never will.
What do you think peeps? A 75 Day Hard Writing Challenge?
- 2 x 45 minute WRITING workouts a day – could be handwriting and typing notes – DOES NOT INCLUDE JOURNALING – I can journal daily until the cows come home. I have a glory box of over 40 years of journals!!!!
- 10 pages of reading a fiction book. Creativity is just a fresh pair of eyes after all.
- And 30 minutes of movement (which might be the equivalent of 4 litres of water a day – just thinking of ‘the artists way’ and incorporating a daily walk).
- All of this to nourish discipline. To create a habit. To just farken WRITE!
I wonder how much further on I will be with my projects after 75 Days????
Anyone want to join me????
I feel your pain! Spending dedicated blocks of time helps. But some days it's a struggle to get into the zone.
Must have been channeling your Māmā cause I'm not usually curt or maybe I am lols ... and I'm not shaking my head cause you excel at challenges like 75 Hard. And it was really only the last challenge that I shook my head at to start with haha ... xxx