My thoughts on whether a writer really needs to write EVERY single day have evolved over the years.

I think on one level that writing daily is a nice goal, but it’s not absolutely necessary.

First, I think we have to recognize in a healthy manner that life is going to intervene sometimes, and that’s okay. It’s nothing to blame ourselves for or beat ourselves up over. You’re not less of a writer, and you’re not a failure, because life happens.

Second, sometimes the thing you need as a writer or artist is a step back. Stepping away, digesting, thinking things over, or letting plot points mull in your mind for a bit can be an essential part of the writing process, especially for us pantsers. There is no right or wrong way to write, I always say. If you need to step away from a WIP to gain clarify, focus, and distance, there is nothing wrong with that.

Third, I’ve come to prioritize other things in my life more than my fiction–namely, my faith, my spiritual/prayer life, and my relationship with God and my Church community. I can testify that I am happier, healthier, and more fruitful in my life in all kinds of respects as a result of putting God first and my writing second, in contrast to how I used to be in grad school and right after leaving grad school.

What do you think? If you are writer, do you strive to write every day? Personally, I think monthly goals or simply keeping to a regular schedule of writing, even if it’s not daily, works just as well.

The important thing is to find the schedule and process that work for you and keep you motivated.