Think you're meant to be a writer? It's time to put in the work. Take one of these 6 paths and build a writing habit today.

1. 6 P R O V E N P A T H S F O R
C R E A T I N G A P E R M A N E N T
W R I T I N G H A B I T
@ T O D D B R I S O N

2. I just thought it was something you did whenever the Muse arrived to grant
you her latest idea.
Now I know the Muse LOVES the working stiff. I write every day now because
writing is more than a hobby. It is a way of life. Even if you are not a writer,
sticking to any one of these plans can help you stretch your creativity and
come up with ideas you never would have dreamed of otherwise.
This is critical: don't have anything planned when you sit down to write. With
the exception of one, these paths have no specific target as far as a writing
project. They are designed to get you putting your stream of consciousness on
paper.
If you want to be an artist, create art. Do it every day. The rest of the pieces
will fall into place.
I'm not going to be bashful about this - any of these 6 paths can change your
life like they changed mine. Find one that resonates with you, stick to it, and
see your artistic side blossom.
I N E V E R R E A L I Z E D A R T
C O U L D B E C O M E A H A B I T

3. # 1 : 7 5 0 W O R D S . C O M
This is where it all started for me:
A long time ago, Hemingway popularized the idea that writing 750 words a
day, even if they were not designed or intended for any specific project,
would separate the amateur artist from the professional.
750Words.com is the digital version of that idea. Created by Buster Benson
(who helped design Slack), this interface counts the words you write each day,
keeps a streak for each day you write, and gives you badges for reaching
certain milestones.
Even better, you can review your themes afterwards. 750 words tells you what
you're writing about, how you felt when you were writing, and the most
common words you use.

4. # 2 : N A N O W R I M O
Every time November rolls around, I can't help but smile.
Thousands of people around the world are gearing up for a monumental task -
writing a whole novel (50,000 words) in just one month.
Although the program is demanding (you have to write nearly 2,000 words a
day to reach your goal), it is also incredibly rewarding, and the community
there is like no other.
30 days of creative agony changed me from a writing amateur to a
professional. Not bad for a free program.

5. # 3 : M I C R O J O U R N A L I N G
I hate, hate, hated journaling. Sitting there day after day trying to force myself to be
introspective about my feelings? Yuck. I could never get the habit going.
So instead of searching for answers, I designed a solution that works for me.
Each day, I write 10 ideas around something I'm interested in. I also write the full date
(Month, Day, Year). This isn't so much a writing practice so much as it is a mindfulness
exercise. Whenever I write the date, it is a reminder I only have one shot to live that day.
Finally, I write something I'm grateful for. This is anywhere between 1 and 50 words. Most
of the time, I write somewhere between 1 and 5.
It's not the length that counts, it's the habit of doing something consistently.

6. # 4 : J E F F G O I N S ' W R I T I N G C H A L L E N G E
Over the last few years, Jeff has absolutely exploded onto the writing scene and established
himself as a powerful force with this ideas, podcast, books, and courses.
When he released his 500 words challenge, I knew he was on to something good.
The challenge is simple:
Write a minimum of 500 words per day, every day for 31 days. Don’t edit. If you miss a day,
pick up where you left off. Don’t make up for lost days. Encourage, don’t criticize (unless
explicitly invited to do so). Blogging counts, but email does not.
Jeff is one of the best. Whenever I have a chance to learn from the best - I do. No questions
asked.

7. # 5 : S T R I D E S ( A P P )
If you're into keeping up with things with technology, Strides is definitely the choice for
you.
The interface is simple, the setup is quick and easy, and the app is free.
You have two options - set a big word goal (like 50,000 words) and give yourself a deadline.
Strides will tell you whether you are ahead of your pace, behind it, or right on track.
Your other option is to simply set a checkbox - either you wrote during the day or you
didn't. The app will keep up with your streaks, send you reminders when it's time to write
and allow you to take notes about what did or didn't go well during your session.

8. # 6 : D A I L Y P A G E
Daily page is a simple email service which emails you prompts every day. Several of my
friends have enjoyed this because coming up with a topic was their biggest struggle.
If you want to write, but need some direction, this service makes sense. It comes with
customizable reminders to yourself as well as a nice writing space to get your prompt
written.
You can keep what you've written private or share it with the community.
The pricing does start at $4 a month, making this the only paid suggestion I have in the list.
However, putting a little skin in the game might just be what you need to become a better
writer.

9. T H A N K S F O R R E A D I N G !
These paths will definitely help you create a writing habit which can last a
lifetime. Choose one, commit, and enjoy the benefits.
Oh, and by the way, you might hit a wall when it comes to your writing habit.
Trust me, I've been there. If you're interested, I've put together a quick guide
on beating writer's block...

10. to get it
C L I C K R I G H T H E R E