The Write Routine

Marcie Atkins office

By Marcie Flinchum Atkins-

The hardest thing about writing for most writers is sitting down to write. Once you are sitting down, what do you write about? How do you get “in the mood” to write. Even people who enjoy writing find TV, sports, work (or school) gets in their way.

1. B.I.C.—Jane Yolen, author of over 300 books, gives the advice of B.I.C.—butt in chair. Sit down.

2. Set the mood. Sometimes it’s nice at first to write in the same place at the same time everyday, but you don’t have to. But if you sit down in the same place at the same time every day, your brain will get used to it being “writing time.” If you like to listen to music, that’s fine. I like to listen to classical music or other music with no words. If you like it silent, that’s okay too.

3. Just write. Nothing complicated. Just sit down with a piece of paper or a journal and write. What if you don’t know what to write about? Write “I don’t know what to write” or some other complaining gibberish until your brain and hand start to cooperate. Eventually, they will.

If you need some prompting, check out the images here for some inspiration.

Writing Exercise

Before you start to write, prepare your writing area. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just decide where and when you will write and what you materials you’ll need. It can sit on your bed, a chair in your living room, or across the rug. Pick a place where you are comfortable.

Then, just write.

Marcie Flinchum Atkins headshot

Marcie Flinchum Atkins writes in the wee hours of the morning (5:00 AM) and then goes off to school to teach fourth graders all day. Marcie writes picture books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, short stories, and poetry. Learn more about Marcie HERE and You can visit her YouTube channel and at