Priscilla Kint

What is the Daily 30? An Introduction to Daily Writing

“I want to write more.”

“I don’t feel like I can call myself a writer.”

“Why can’t I just finish my project?“

Had any of those thoughts before? If you write for a hobby, you might be struggling to find your rhythm: you keep wanting to work on that awesome story or ground-breaking poetry collection, but can’t seem to find the time. Or you do have the time, but somehow it just won’t work.

Hi, I’m Priscilla. Over ten years ago, I challenged myself to write every single day. And aside from one time (darn October 3rd, 2015), I have.

My secret? The Daily 30. Let me tell you all about it.

What is the Daily 30?

The idea behind the daily 30 is easy: Dedicate 30 minutes to writing, every single day. Habits are hard to break, after all, so we might as well create some we actually like.

When I tell people about my ongoing writing streak, they respond in different ways. Some call me insane (fair). Some call me superhuman (not really). Some don’t believe me (I’ve got receipts). The truth is, it really isn’t as big or dramatic as it sounds. Anyone could do it – including you.

Writing is both the easiest and the hardest thing in the world. This goes for the skill itself, but also for the actual doing: deciding to sit down and just start. How do you keep yourself going, especially when it’s “just” something you do for fun?

In a way, this goes for any creative hobby. Whether you’re a painter, musician, or crocheter, it can be incredibly hard to find the time to do what you love. Doesn’t it always feel like there’s something more important to do?

The Daily 30 says no. You deserve a little bit of time every day to pursue your hobby. Be creative. Dream!

Does Daily Writing Even Work?

There are countless opinions about daily writing routines online. Some say it’s the best thing you could possibly do for your writing, while others argue against it.

For me, it has worked wonders. I finished countless projects. I feel like every day has a purpose. I learnt to prioritise my time. And it taught me determination. But I’m not here to convince you or prescribe anything. If you want to write , you’ll have to find a way that works for you.

Daily writing isn’t the be-all-end-all. I’m lucky to have many writer friends in my life, and I’ve heard about just as many (if not more) routines. Some write strictly on the weekends, while others plan their hours differently every week. Some will write only when the kids are in school, while others go weeks without writing a single sentence, then pen down over 10.000 words in one day.

Daily writing doesn’t make you any more or less of a writer. It’s a possible path to walk, that’s all. And if it’s the road you’re thinking of choosing, I might have just the thing for you.

10 Tips for the Daily 30

After over 10 years of daily writing, I thought it was about time to share my experiences and spread the writing joy. In essence, the Daily 30 is easy: 30 minutes, every day.

But I learned a thing or two along the way, so I’ll be sharing 10 tips and tricks for anyone who’s looking to create their own daily writing habit (or keep up an existing one!). These tips will range anywhere from practical suggestions to creating positive thought patterns to keep you going during the hard days. See them as an outstretched hand: take it or leave it – you make the rules.

One thing I’ll circle back to again and again is this: A daily habit is supposed to help you. You have all the power. You decide when to be stern with yourself and when to bend the rules to suit your needs.

It’s a balancing act for sure – but that’s part of the fun. It’s all about finding what works. In some cases, that means pushing through. In others, that means taking a step back.

Ready for a Challenge?

The coming 10 weeks are all about daily writing. I’ll upload one tip each Tuesday, and each tip comes with its own writing prompt or exercise. Here’s what you can do:

  • Write down your motivation: What do you hope to get out of a daily writing routine?
  • Use these 10 weeks as a trial run for daily writing and try to dedicate a moment (30 minutes, or less, whatever works for you) to writing each day.
  • Sign up to my newsletter by entering your email below or follow me on Instagram so you get notified whenever a new tip is posted.

Let’s make time for creativity and start that daily writing habit!

Make It Your Own

I didn’t think up this particular writing challenge myself: I stole the thirty-minute idea from a dear friend of mine, then made it my own.

That’s exactly what I hope you’ll do, too. If you’re a writer (or painter, sculptor, etc.) who wants to try something new, who’s ready for a challenge, or who needs that little push to finally finish that project you’ve been dreaming about, perhaps this is your sign! Thirty minutes is all it takes.

Are you ready to join me?

You can find all live blog posts below:

Check back soon for more!

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