You Don’t Need a Perfect Daily Writing Routine. Here’s What to Do Instead.

It was a Tuesday morning when I decided this was it. I was finally going to become “one of those writers.” You know the kind: up at 5 a.m., coffee brewed, candles lit, words flowing before sunrise. I even made a color-coded spreadsheet of when I’d write, what I’d write, and how much I’d write each day.

That lasted until…Wednesday.

The truth is, no matter how many planners or timers or “productive writer” YouTube videos we watch, we keep coming back to the same question:

Why can’t I stick to a writing routine?

If that’s you, I want to start by saying: you’re not broken. The myth of the perfect daily writing routine is just that—a myth. And there’s a much more flexible, compassionate way to get your writing done.

Let’s explore how.

The “Perfect Routine” Is a Productivity Fantasy

Writers are often told that if they just get the right system in place, they’ll finally be able to crank out pages on autopilot. But this mindset turns writing into an assembly line—and most of us don’t write well in a factory.

Daily life is full of variables: work, kids, illness, burnout, spiritual dryness, and plain old fatigue. And creativity doesn’t show up neatly between 6:00 and 6:45 every morning.

The perfect writing routine sounds nice in theory, but it doesn’t account for being human.

So, if your rigid schedule keeps falling apart, it might not be a discipline issue. It might be time to embrace a more organic approach to your writing life.

What You Really Need Are Rhythms, Not Routines

Instead of trying to copy someone else’s morning routine, consider creating writing rhythms, repeatable patterns that support your creative life without being rigid.

Here’s what that might look like:

• Time anchors: Instead of “write at 6:30 a.m. daily,” try “write after breakfast, even if it’s just 15 minutes.”

• Weekly touchpoints: Dedicate one evening or weekend block for longer writing sessions (like a mini-retreat).

• Creative check-ins: Once a week, reflect: What’s working? What’s not? What needs adjusting?

Rhythms leave space for grace. They account for your energy levels and real life. And most importantly, they’re sustainable.

Consistency Isn’t About Time—It’s About Trust

When we hear “consistency,” we tend to picture a strict, unbroken chain of effort. But I believe writing consistently means something deeper: it means building trust with yourself.

Can you trust yourself to return to the page—even after a rough day or a missed session?

Can you honor your creativity with presence and intention, even if it’s not polished?

This kind of consistency doesn’t demand perfection. It asks for faithfulness to the process, to your ideas, and to the calling on your heart to create.

Real Writers Write in the Gaps

One of the biggest lies the writing world sells is that you need huge chunks of uninterrupted time to make anything meaningful. But the writers I work with—the ones finishing books and building real momentum—are carving out 20 minutes during lunch. They’re jotting down dialogue on their phones in the carpool line.

In my own life, I’ve written short stories and blog posts in doctors’ waiting rooms, between classes when I was a professor, and once on the back of a Wendy’s napkin (don’t judge me—it was a great idea!).

It’s not about ideal conditions. It’s about capturing the moments you do have, not waiting endlessly for the ones you don’t.

Get a Creative Reset

If you’re longing to re-center your writing life—to reestablish creative rhythms and finally move forward on that draft—then I want to invite you to The Virtual Writing Retreat.

This isn’t your typical online workshop or webinar. The Virtual Writing Retreat is a self-directed, focused, inspiring space where you’ll get the time, structure, and support to:

• Make measurable progress on your writing so you can finally move forward instead of staying stuck in planning mode.

• Break through mental blocks so you can stop second-guessing yourself and start creating with confidence.

• Reconnect with your voice and creative goals so you can write with clarity and purpose again.

And you do it all on your own time, in whatever season of life you're in.

Whether you’re stuck in the middle of a novel, finishing a short story, or trying to finally start your memoir, this retreat will give you the structured time, guidance, and community you need to see it through—without requiring you to become a morning person or overhaul your life.

Learn more and register here!