S1 E6 - How to Build a Writing Routine That Actually Sticks

 Struggling to find the time—or the motivation—to write consistently? You’re not alone. 

In this episode, I share practical strategies for building a writing routine that fits your life, your energy, and your goals. From carving out focused writing time to staying consistent when motivation dips, we’ll tackle the real-world challenges every writer faces. 

Plus, I reveal simple tweaks that helped me stick to my own routine (without feeling like a robot!). If you’re ready to make steady progress on your book and finally turn your writing dreams into reality, this episode is your blueprint. 

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A Personal Note from Veronica 💛

Thank you so much for listening to From Writer to Author! Your support truly means the world to me. Every episode takes time, creativity, and a lot of coffee—and your contributions help me keep the podcast ad-free, upgrade my recording tools, and continue bringing you practical advice, inspiration, and insider tips to help you write, publish, and grow as an author.

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Transcript

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Veronica G. 0:01

Hey there and welcome back to From Writer to Author the Podcast. I'm your host, Veronica G, and today we're diving into another one of those struggles every writer faces at some point. Building a writing routine that actually sticks. You know that moment when you've decided you're finally going to write your book, and you start out strong for, oh, about three days? And then suddenly life's like, ha, cute plan. Let's see how you handle work deadlines, a mountain of laundry, and a needy cat. Yeah, I've been there many times. For me, my favorite time to write is in the morning, right after my husband leaves for work. The house is quiet, my macha latte is warm, and I can sneak off to my creative studio and just breathe. That's when the magic happens. But life doesn't always cooperate, does it? Some days I don't get to write until the evening, right before bed. Other days, I'm juggling book editing clients, laundry, dishes, bills, and making sure my mom's medications and groceries are delivered two states away. So yeah, life gets in the way, but here's the thing, I still make sure I get at least one to three hours of writing in daily when I'm actively working on a book. Because that's the trick. You don't wait for the perfect moment, you make one. Here's what my writing ritual looks like, and maybe this will inspire you to create your own. I've got my drink, usually a homemade latte or a cup of tea. I light my favorite candle, Midsummer's Night by Yankee Candle. It smells like creative genius, by the way. I put on some soft instrumental music, no lyrics, because my brain will absolutely start singing along, and then I settle in, still in my pajamas, door closed, ready to write. It's my little sanctuary, my cozy creative cocoon. And when I'm in that groove, it's like the rest of the world just melts away. Now, let's talk about the hard part. Sticking to that routine. Here's what I've learned. The biggest threat to your writing time isn't laziness or procrastination. It's life itself. The laundry, the bills, the endless list of things demanding your attention. And the truth is you can't do everything at once. You have to decide what gets your attention and when. When I feel like everything's spiraling out of control, I pull back. I take care of myself first. Maybe I'll watch a movie with my husband or take a long, warm bath, just to reset. Then I sit down with my planner and get real about what really needs to happen and when. If you take nothing else from this episode, take this. Own your time. Don't wait for time to magically appear. Schedule it. Because trust me, if you don't schedule it, something else will. Now, let's bust a few myths about writing routines. First, that whole you have to write every day thing. Look, if you're in the middle of writing your book, then yes, writing daily can help you keep your momentum and passion alive. But if you force yourself to write every day just to check a box, you risk burning out and losing that spark. You can't write your best work if you've turned writing into a punishment. I once learned this lesson in a completely different way. Back when I was studying classical guitar, I'd been practicing this one impossible passage for hours every day, and it just kept getting worse. My professor listened to me tearfully explain how frustrated I was. And he said, Veronica, when that happens, put down the guitar, go for a walk, and feed the ducks. Feed the ducks. And he was right. Sometimes you've got to walk away to come back stronger. Writing's the same. Forcing it does not make it better. It makes it harder. So if you need a break, take one. Your creativity will thank you. Another myth I wish more writers would let go of the idea that you have to suffer to be great. You don't need to be a tortured soul to write a brilliant book. All that does is make you miserable, not more talented. You can love your life and write well. Shocking, I know. The secret is balance. The best writers I know are the ones who live, who get out in the world, have experiences, make mistakes, and come back with stories to tell. You can't write about life if you're too busy trying to survive it. Now here's a mindset shift that changed everything for me. I stopped trying to be perfect. Perfection is a lie. It's the worst standard you can hold yourself to. I'd rather be real, relatable, and honest. That's how radios connect with you. Not because you're flawless, but because you're human. So let's drop the idea of perfect. Let's just aim to be a little better than we were yesterday. Before we wrap up, I want to leave you with a few action steps. A few simple things you can start doing today to build a writing routine that actually sticks and doesn't make you want to throw your laptop out the window. Action step number one. Create a writing space that feels good. I can't emphasize this enough. Your environment matters. You want a space that whispers, you belong here. It doesn't have to be Pinterest perfect. You don't need fairy lights, floating shelves, and an aesthetic mug, though if you've got those, bonus points to you. What matters is that it feels like your place to write. Maybe it's a desk in the corner of your living room. Maybe it's your kitchen table with a candle lit and a mug of matcha by your side. Maybe it's your bed with a blanket and a notebook. Make it cozy, make it peaceful. Make it somewhere that feels like a treat to go to, not another workspace that drains you. If your brain associates your writing space with calm, creativity, and comfort, it'll be a whole lot easier to sit down and start writing. Action step number two, schedule your writing time like a real appointment. Here's where most people fall off track. They intend to write, but writing's the first thing that gets bumped when life gets busy. So treat your writing time like a non-negotiable meeting. Put it in your planner or calendar. Just like a doctor's appointment or a zoom call with your boss. Block it off. Guard it like it's sacred. Because it is. And here's the magic part. When that reminder pops up, don't say, oh, I'll do it later. You wouldn't cancel on your boss, your friend, or your dentist, right? Don't cancel on yourself. Even if all you manage is 15 minutes, it counts. Those small, consistent chunks add up faster than you think. You're building trust with yourself every time you follow through. Action step number three, when you fall off track, because you will, don't beat yourself up. Listen, even the most disciplined writers have off days or off weeks. Sometimes life just comes roaring in like a toddler with a kazoo and demands your attention. When that happens, don't spiral into guilt. Guilt doesn't write books, action does. So instead of saying, uh, I blew it, try saying, okay, that week got away from me. Let's start fresh. Take a breath, reset, then open your planner, pick a new day in time, and begin again. The writers who succeed aren't the ones who never fall off track. They're the ones who keep coming back. Alright, my friend, that's it for today's episode of From Writer to Author the podcast. I hope this inspired you to create a writing routine that truly fits your life and fuels your creativity. And hey, remember this journey from writer to author isn't something you have to do alone. Every week I share more tips, encouragement, and behind-the-scenes insights in my From Writer to Author newsletter. It's like having a little pep talk waiting in your inbox. Plus, you'll get free resources and practical tools to help you stay consistent and keep your book moving forward. So if you haven't signed up yet, take a second after the show and hop over to join at www.goldspiel Creative Enterprises.com or click in the link in the show notes below. You'll be glad you did, and your future author self will thank you too. Next Monday we're tackling a big topic, overcoming writer's block and why it's not really about writing. It's going to be an eye-opener, I promise. We'll dig into what's really going on when you feel stuck, unmotivated, or completely allergic to your keyboard. Spoiler alert, it's not about running out of ideas. It's about what's happening in your mind before you even sit down to write. I'll share some surprising truths about writer's block that no one really talks about, plus practical strategies to get back into flow. Even on those days when you'd rather alphabetize your spice rack than open your manuscript. Trust me, this episode will change how you think about your creative process and help you unlock your writing energy in a whole new way. Until then, keep your candle lit, your beverage warm, and your words flowing. You've got this.