Nwodo Divine

What habits did the world's greatest writers use in crafting their classics. From Ernest Hemingway to Toni Morrison, the world's greatest writers didn’t just rely on raw talent to write their masterpieces. Writing, like any other discipline, requires dedication, consistency, and routine. What sets exceptional writers apart from the rest isn’t just their ideas but their ability to harness those ideas through disciplined habits. While each writer’s method is unique, there are common practices many successful writers share that allow them to tap into their creativity day after day. 1. They Established a Writing Routine2. They Set Small, Achievable Goals3. They Write First and Edit Later4. They Embrace Rituals5. They Read Voraciously6. They Practice Solitude and Reflection7. Keep a Notebook for Ideas8. They Belong to a Community9. They Embrace Rejection and Failure10. They Prioritize Self-CareConclusion 1. They Established a Writing Routine The world's greatest writers had a writing routine. The one thing that separates hobbyists from professional writers is routine. The romanticized image of a writer waiting for inspiration to strike simply isn’t accurate. For most successful writers, writing was a job, and they treated as such. Ernest Hemingway was known for his disciplined writing routine. He woke up at dawn and wrote in the quiet hours of the morning. "When you stop , you are as empty, and at the same time never empty but filling, as when you have made love to someone you love," he once said. Hemingway had a daily goal of writing 500 words. His habit of writing early in the day allowed him to work without distractions, setting a daily goal of writing 500 words. Similarly, Toni Morrison would rise before the sun to write. As a single mother working full-time, Morrison had to find pockets of time in her busy schedule, and she chose the early morning hours when her mind was clearest. "Writing before dawn began as a necessity—I had small children when I first began to write and I needed to use the time before they said, Mama—and that was always around five in the morning." she revealed. Both Hemingway and Morrison understood that routine was essential to maintaining a steady output of writing. 2. They Set Small, Achievable Goals The enormity of writing a novel or completing any large writing project can be overwhelming. Many great writers broke down these massive tasks into smaller, manageable goals. Rather than focusing on the end result, they concentrated on achievable daily targets. Take Anthony Trollope, a prolific 19th-century novelist, who wrote for three hours every morning before going to his job at the post office. He had a simple system: 250 words every 15 minutes. With this method, he was able to complete a novel every few months. Graham Greene followed a similar routine, writing exactly 500 words each day. Greene understood that small, consistent progress over time leads to great results. "In time of struggle, I wrote 500 words a day. For me, writing is a craft, a trade," he said. By setting small, achievable goals, you not only avoid the pressure of perfectionism but also ensure steady progress. Even if you can only commit to writing for 30 minutes a day, the cumulative effect of these efforts adds up. 3. They Write First and Edit Later One of the habits of the best of writers is to write first and edit later. The tendency to edit while writing is a stumbling block for many writers. The impulse to perfect each sentence before moving on can bring the entire creative process to a halt. The great writers know this and make sure they only edit when they are done with writing. Anne Lamott, in her book Bird by Bird, talks about the importance of writing "shitty first drafts." The key to unlocking creativity, she argues, is giving yourself permission to write badly. "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere," she said. Once the words are on the page, you can return and refine them, but not until you’ve let the creative juices flow without judgment. Stephen King, too, believes in writing quickly and without overthinking. He advises writers to get the story out as fast as possible, without worrying about polishing it. "Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open," King famously said, suggesting that the first draft is for the writer alone, while the second is for the reader. The takeaway here is simple: let your first draft be messy. Editing is a separate part of the process, and it’s much easier to fix a rough draft than to create something perfect on the first try. 4. They Embrace Rituals Many great writers use rituals to signal to their brain that it’s time to write. These rituals act as triggers that help the mind switch into writing mode. Maya Angelou had a very specific writing ritual. She would rent a hotel room, strip it of any distractions, and write from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Angelou needed a quiet, solitary space where she could focus. "I keep a hotel room where I do my work… I go there at about 6:30 in the morning, and I work until about 2 p.m.," she explained. The hotel room became her creative sanctuary. Haruki Murakami starts his day at 4 a.m. and writes for five to six hours straight. Afterward, he runs 10 kilometers or swims 1,500 meters. This physical routine helps him stay mentally sharp and ready for the next day’s writing session. Haruki Murakami Rituals, whether simple or complex, act as cues for the brain to prepare for the task at hand. 5. They Read Voraciously Great writers are often great readers. Reading widely exposes you to different styles, genres, and techniques, all of which can inspire your own work. Many of the most successful writers advocate reading as much as you write. William Faulkner, when asked what aspiring writers should do, answered, "Read, read, read. Read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master." Faulkner’s point is clear: reading isn’t just about finding inspiration; it’s about studying the craft and learning from the masters. Zadie Smith has also emphasised the importance of reading. In an essay for The Guardian, she advised writers to be "voracious readers." Smith argues that it’s impossible to develop as a writer without first being a passionate reader. The more you read, the more you learn about structure, pacing, dialogue, and character development. Reading broadly also introduces you to voices and perspectives outside of your own, which can deepen your understanding of storytelling. 6. They Practice Solitude and Reflection Writing is an inherently solitary activity, and many great writers embrace this solitude as a part of their process. Time alone allows for deep reflection, which is needed in writing. Virginia Woolf, in her famous essay A Room of One’s Own, argued that women, and writers in general, need a space of their own to think and create. "A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction," she wrote. Woolf understood that without solitude, it’s difficult to produce meaningful work. Joan Didion, another master of introspective writing, often spoke of the importance of being alone with her thoughts. "I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means," she once said. For Didion, writing was a way of processing her internal world, a practice that required isolation. In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, solitude is harder to come by, but it’s necessary for any writer who wants to go beyond surface-level work. 7. Keep a Notebook for Ideas Great ideas often strike at unexpected moments. Many great writers keep a notebook or journal on hand to capture thoughts, images, and snippets of dialogue that come to them throughout the day. Joan Didion was a meticulous note-taker. She had a habit of always jotting down observations and impressions in her notebook. In an essay titled On Keeping a Notebook, she wrote, "We are brought up in the ethic that others, any others, all others, are by definition more interesting than ourselves; taught to be deferential, eager to please, interested in others, we grow to be adults unsure of our own motives. Keepers of private notebooks are a different breed altogether, lonely and resistant rearrangers of things, anxious malcontents." Keeping a notebook allows you to capture fleeting moments of inspiration before they disappear. These notes may not seem important at the time, but they often serve as the seeds for larger projects down the line. 8. They Belong to a Community While writing itself is a solitary act, many great writers rely on a community of fellow writers for support, feedback, and encouragement. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were part of a literary group known as The Inklings, where they shared their works-in-progress and offered each other feedback. These meetings were crucial to the development of their iconic novels, The Chronicles of Narnia and and The Lord of the Rings. The camaraderie and constructive criticism they provided each other not only improved their work but also fostered a sense of accountability. A supportive writing community can offer diverse perspectives and insights that enrich your writing. They remind you that you’re not alone in your struggles and can reignite your passion for storytelling during challenging times. 9. They Embrace Rejection and Failure Every writer faces rejection, and the ability to cope with it can significantly impact your growth as a creative individual. Great writers understand that failure is an integral part of the writing process, and they use it as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. Take J.K. Rowling's experience, whose Harry Potter manuscript received numerous rejections before becoming a success. Instead of giving up, she persisted and ultimately created a beloved series that has captivated millions. Rowling’s experience illustrates that rejection can often precede great success. Similarly, Ray Bradbury famously encountered numerous rejections early in his career. "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you," he advised. Great writers recognize that every “no” brings them one step closer to a “yes,” and they leverage these experiences to refine their craft and grow. 10. They Prioritize Self-Care Writing can be an emotionally taxing pursuit, and maintaining mental and physical health is essential for long-term creativity. Many great writers prioritize self-care to sustain their energy and inspiration. Conclusion The habits and routines of great writers reveal that mastery in the craft is not dependent on talent alone. You need to be dedicated, have discipline and desire to learn.

Akpata Magazine

Akpata Magazine

Nwodo Divine

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