The D word: Discipline!

Give me discipline or give me death.

In the world of writing, talent alone isn’t enough. You might write the most beautiful prose but if it takes you fifteen years to finish a novel…

Success my friends, comes from discipline. And that means setting aside dedicated time, staying focused, and consistently honing your skills.

I’ll finish books six and seven this year, for an average of 1.25 books per year since I started writing. That might sound impressive, but I know genre writers who create upwards of 4-8 books a year and more!

It boggles the mind but there is no magic or secret sauce. It boils down to establishing, and adhering to, a writing routine. Whether it’s a specific time of day or a daily word count goal, having a routine helps build a productive habit.

The biggest threat to productivity is distractions. I turn off social media notifications, silence my phone, and create a focused workspace. This way, my writing time is solely for my craft. I also set aside time to review and refine my work. Stepping back from my writing helps me identify areas that need improvement. I embrace feedback from beta readers and editors and relish the ability to revise and make my books the best they can be.

Discipline also means continuous learning. I read widely in all genres, stay updated on industry trends, and invest time to improve my writing skills. Discipline is all about committing to the journey of constant growth. It’s been the biggest challenge for me, especially juggling the crazy world of TV production as a side hustle. After six years, I  have a solid system in place.

Dare I say, I might be able to write two books a year at this rate!

ACF