Writing Practices and Habits

always a black pen

For many years I've established and kept a writing practice that I thought I'd share with you.  I wake up quite early, by choice around 5:15 a.m.  That is my time where I sit quietly in my kitchen with a fresh cup of coffee in my favorite mug and I write before the day begins.  I am a morning person and have been one since I was a child.  My best thinking is before 2 p.m., after that I'm toast.

I keep a hard cover Moleskine journal without lines as my daily account of what has transpired the day before (since it's early!).  I write about what happened, the weather, what I was thinking or worrying about and maybe what I wished I was doing instead of wasting time.

At the end of each daily entry, I write a gratitude list and focus on positive thoughts.  I see good around me in minute detail.  Writing a gratitude list is a saving grace for me and has served me well in my overall attitude on life.

The red paperback moleskine is a writing prompt notebook.  I usually write about something that pops into my head, so it's like a free-write session.  I frequently write about my childhood, my mom or my gram.  Sometimes I will list what I've noticed in nature especially in the spring or fall.  My blog posts are inspired by what's within those pages.

The bird paperback notebook (unlined) is for classes or studies I participate in on the internet.  Also for any prompts that spill over from the red notebook.    The bird notebook is the only one where I will use colored markers and let doodling and artwork mix with words.

daily prayer is in my mornings too!

A writing practice would not be complete with some supportive supplies.  I have a pocket weekly calendar that is the silver blue book.  I tried using my iphone for appointments, but writing them down old school with pen and paper works better for me.

I also have a pocket moleskine grid notebook for keeping track of my daily goals and for writing down ideas or information.  I have pages dedicated to books I'd like to flip through when I'm in a bookstore, ideas for birthday presents, podcasts that need to be investigated.... you get the idea.  I will write down blog post ideas in here as well.

I carry these two little notebooks with me in my purse with a black pen and mini-markers, just in case I need to write something down.

I remember starting my writing practice at the beach in North Myrtle Beach around six years ago.  I sat there watching the sunrise and wondering "what do I write".  I wrote about a bird flying in the garage area, the sound of the sea and the scent of the salt breeze and feeling relaxed on vacation.  "What do I write" isn't the important question for me.

When do I write?

Who do I write for?  

I write in the mornings and I write for me.

When do you write?  What are your writing practices and habits?