Are you someone who loves the idea of bringing your first novel to life, only to find yourself constantly putting it off for another year? There’s nothing to be ashamed of — some of history’s greatest writers spent years trying to scratch their writing itch in other ways. But when they eventually put pen to paper, they created beautiful prose that would soon be read all over the world. If they can start out with nothing and bring incredible work into the world, why can’t you? Let’s take a look at how you can make it happen in 2025.

Set a deadline

2025 will be the year you finally start the creative writing project or short story you have been meaning to dive into all this time. To make it happen, you need to set a deadline to start writing, not just a deadline for when the book needs to be completed. In fact, it’s the first one that’s so much more important as it’s the only way to begin the creative process.

Many of us wait until after we’ve welcomed in the new year to make changes, and we then struggle to stick to our resolutions. Why? Because we can feel a little blue and tired after the holiday season and in need of a rest. By starting a few weeks early, you can get in the groove with your writing long before 2025 comes into our lives.

Follow your passion

Writing for the sake of it will soon grow tiresome and make you want to cut corners and skip writing sessions when you’re tired after work. Writing for exposure or money will mean that you simply end up emulating successful authors who have already defined their genres. Neither of these are ideal when you want to follow your passion and add something truly meaningful to the literary world.

Taking a moment to step back and think about what you really love to read is a great way to approach things. It doesn’t mean you have to copy or imitate a particular writer, but it does mean you should follow your heart. The more you fall in love with the world you’re creating, the more your work will pull you back in when you have taken a break. This is really important when you want to build a regular writing habit that will allow you to continually improve.

Have a dedicated writing area

We all love the idea of sitting on the couch and bringing a masterpiece into the world, but it’s just not going to happen. There will be so many distractions and temptations everywhere you look that you just won’t get very much done. On those days when you spend a couple of hours writing in the lounge, you won’t feel like your work comes to a natural conclusion when you shut your laptop. This is a problem that’s easily fixed.

If you have a spare room, then investing in a small writing desk would be ideal. Prefer getting out of the house for a change of scenery? J. K. Rowling created Harry Potter over countless cups of coffee in her local cafe. Today it’s a major tourist attraction that people fly in from all over the world to see. You never know, we could be saying the same thing about your new writing haunt a few years from now.

Create a stress-free routine

Trying to force writing into your schedule at all costs won’t get you very far. You need to feel like it’s a natural extension of your existing schedule if it’s going to be an activity you stick to and always enjoy. Some writers like to get up early in the morning, with comedian Ricky Gervais often citing how his partner and novelist, Jane, is always up at the crack of dawn. Not someone who fares well in the mornings? The legendary Stephen King has spent decades writing in the middle of the night as he conjures up some of the most spine-tingling horror stories the world has ever seen.

There’s no right or wrong time to write because it will depend on your individual lifestyle and preferences. The key point is that you need to carve out a set period of time each day to start perfecting your craft. If you find you’re easily distracted by the urge to scroll on Facebook and Instagram, or even worse, things like playing casino games, you’re going to need to put your phone in another room. It will feel alien at first, but trust us, it really will make all the difference.

Be kind to yourself

Not everything you write will be a masterpiece and most of the work you produce won’t ever see the light of day. Every writer experiences this throughout their career because it’s a natural part of the writing process. You need to write, rewrite, and often start all over again to get a book that is everything you want it to be. There is nothing to be ashamed of or discouraged by, even if it does feel like you’re not getting anywhere on some days.

Writing is an art form that requires a high level of skill to be developed through consistent, repeated practice. Being kind to yourself and taking pride in the process is a great way to maintain motivation. Sometimes it’s all about just letting your pen flow and seeing what comes out on the page rather than overthinking things. Go with the flow on days when you feel you need to, and you’ll be honing your skills like the many generations of writers who came before you.

Epilogue

You’ve read our hints and tips, seen what the pros do, and now you’ve reached the end of the article. What is your next step? Set your deadline to begin and then pick up your pen and see where the journey takes you!

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