Watch me Overanalyze Mike Rogers

How to romanticize writing: so you don't avoid it

It's such a beautiful word- "romanticize".

To take in every simple moments and noticing the beauty surrounding you.(yes I copied that from the picture but that's not the point)

In today's world, people generally romanticize their day to day life to feel more like a character from a comforting book/movie/show. It makes them think of themselves as a part of a life they can never have. But it is truly so much more than that.

There is something oddly magical about sitting down at your desk with a warm drink, opening your notebook, putting on your favorite writing playlist, and realizing that, for the next hour, your only job is to tell a story.

That's what romanticizing writing means to me.

This article focuses on how you can romanticize writing, so it doesn't feel like a chore anymore but a part of your life. Something you have to do. Something you get to do.

I have a beautiful list of things to do to romanticize writing, plus short bonus tips at the end, so if you're a teen writer like me or even a seasoned novelist who is just looking for ways to light it down, grab notebook and a pen, take notes and enjoy the read!

1. An Active PINTEREST Page

I consider Pinterest the best app- an All In One- for artists, especially writers.

It has everything you could ever ask for. From writing tips to character designs and inspirations, aesthetic mood boards, world building ideas and so much more (the list could go on forever).

As a writer, you could do a million things to create an aesthetic page for your project. 

These include making mood boards for your- world building and characters. I  personally like to make two mood boards like that, one for the overall vibe for the story and one for just the different characters.

As the world's most popular picture based search engine for lifestyle, fashion and art, Pinterest is not limited to character designs, but their clothing as well. If you're working on fantasy project (like me) and want royal attire inspiration, then you're just one click away on Pinterest.

It is a great source for inspiration as well and if any day you experience a stubborn writer's block, then all you have to do is to search up for some 'writing aesthetics' or 'writing inspirations' and then you're all set because the huge varieties for beautiful pictures are sure to get you out of bed and on your project.

I, myself have a Pinterest page that includes boards for my fantasy project and characters and they help me so much while writing if I ever lose sight of what the whole vibe of my story is.

When you get to see the aesthetics of your world in the form of images, it creates a sort of emotional connection between the world and you.

Writers and artists all around the world use Pinterest as a source of inspiration and to romanticize their writing.

And if you're not on Pinterest then, hello? Did you just wake up or something?

It is completely free so just go and make your page already.

(on second thought, stay and read the full article first please)

2. Schedule writing lives with other aspiring writers

The best part of being a writer in this modern age is to connect with other writers from every corner of the world.

And what better way to do that than attending live writing sessions of writers on Youtube and write along with them.

There are plenty of authortube creators out there who schedule weekly (or monthly) writing lives on their channel. You can choose to follow whoever you want and stay tuned for their next live session.

Want an even better option?

Plan a writing live with a writer or reader friend of yours!

Actually this is more recommended from my side. Being live with a friend will really make the entire process much more thrilling and dreamy (if you know what I mean)

But if you want to see how professional writers actually do it, with cozy writing chats, tips and productive sprints, then definitely attend a live session of a youtuber first.

Attending a writing live feels so productive! (this is from firsthand experience)

You can romanticize by talking about your project (if you're doing it with friend) or listening to a youtube author chat about their project or writing tips.

By hearing other people talk about their works will get you encouraged as a writer yourself.

And the entire process of writing alongside professional writers or just a friend is so magical. 

Definitely give it a try and make your writing routine more fun :)

3. Have a writing ritual you will look forward to

I'm not talking about some black magic ritual.

Writing ritual is basically a list of things to do before you start writing.

But here's the thing about writing rituals: you have to find your own.

It could be anything that helps you kick start your writing routine on a daily basis. And it doesn't have to be list, just something that will keep you motivated throughout that productive sprint.

I can give you a short list of what I do before sitting to write.

Here is my short ritual:

•  Going through pinterest mood boards to quickly settle in on the vibe
•  Reading handwritten notes that I wrote for my plot or characters so I don't forget their roots
•  Cleaning my writing table
• Read/ skim through what I wrote the day before or previously to keep the flow alive

See?

This could anything- small or big- that gets you started with your routine.

Take a few minutes to figure out your writing ritual and follow it daily before you sit down to write.

4. Document Your Writing Journey (from today)

Trust me, this small step will escalate your motivation to write even more.

Start documenting yourself as you write from today and you'll see the level of your motivation go up instantly. (also from firsthand experience)

Recording yourself is one option but just start in some way or the other to note things down, from where you're beginning (day one), till where you'll reach (one day).

If you're comfortable with showing your face on camera then that is awesome, you can record yourself writing in the form of vlogs and even post them on social media as way to start your journey.

If not, then not to worry. There are hundreds of things you could still do like making your own faceless bookstagram page (or anything that you like) and make videos all the same without revealing your face.

But if you're like me, and just cannot handle the intense feeling of a camera staring at you then you could do what I'm doing right now.

Blog.

Document your writing process, journey, progress or your midnights thoughts on a personal blog while actually writing and improving even more on the way!

Of course this also applies to keeping a physical diary and treating it as your writer's journal.

The point is to document yourself doing what you love most- for your future self to see and dote on.

5. Word count goals

Please don't leave after reading this heading. 

It may sound boring or even like a chore to some but you're going to absolutely need word count goals to romanticize writing and even grow as a writer.

Having word count goals makes you feel like an actual writer on a deadline. It romanticizes the process by giving you a certain pressure, a need to finish your goal and then get off.

But here's how to make word goals not feel like a chore.

Do not have a daily word count goal.

Instead, do a weekly one ;)

Weekly word goals are far less intimidating than daily ones.

Yes, sometimes it is not possible to write 10,000 words everyday but you don't have to deal with the guilt of not finishing your goals with a weekly count.

This is  also best for people who have weekly energy fluctuations, so they can plan on a week-by-week basis.

It is highly flexible- no pressure to sit and write for hours daily if you've got a busy schedule already.

Trust me, weekly word count goals are the secret to finishing your project on time!

Quick tip-  Make yourself a spreadsheet that tracks your weekly word reach. Make columns like "Week 1" then, "Start date", "End date" and finally the total number of words you wrote in that week (of course it is completely customizable as per your want)

This spreadsheet will definitely keep you motivated to finish your goals every time you open it to look at your progress.

Bonus tips <3

The best thing about the following tips is that they're completely optional but you can use them to elevate your romanticizing process.

1. Get a writing keyboard

If you write on your computer then I strongly suggest you get a writing keyboard, especially one that makes the most satisfying clicks when you type with it.

2. Write on paper

Of course you cannot write big projects all on paper but something about the feeling of pen scribbling against paper is just...magical.

You could- write poetry, or a first short draft on paper to get started with the magic.

3. Writing journal

Keeping a physical journal at hand takes you back when writing was...writing not typing. You could write anything related to your writing progress or world-building in there and just keep it around. 

Conclusion

That's it.

Some cool ways to romanticize your writing to actually enjoy it less avoid it.

These tips have really helped me a lot to adjust writing with my study schedule and I hope they do the same to you.

My favorite point of the list is number 4. To start documenting your writing journey makes all the difference, really. And who cares if no one reads your blogs or you have no followers on your bookstagram page, what really matters is that you're documenting everything for yourself and for your future self.

I have begun romanticizing my writing through this blog and through Tumblr and Pinterest. I have 0 followers there and I'm pretty sure on one reads this blog. But anyways, I will continue to document everything till one day, I finally make it.

How do you romanticize writing? I'd love to hear your rituals, playlists, or little habits. 

Well then, take your notebook and pen and...start writing ;)

Socials-

• Pinterest- https://pin.it/5qJyDmx05
• Tumblr- https://www.tumblr.com/loreandchapters?source=share