For me, the process of writing is a means to an end had has no attraction on its own. If I don’t have something I want to say then writing is a usless activity for me.

It sounds to me like you enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Therefore, the process of writing controls you mood and relaxes you just as reading a book or cleaning or running does for other people. Maybe I’m reading to much into this but if that is true, then I think you might have fallen into these rituals naturally. Your readers that have the same inclination will also fall into rituals naturally.

As I said before building rituals is a great way to promote writing if your doing it for a paycheck or if your looking to build an audiance, but I think that is fairly advanced for someone that is trying to get started.

In my opinion, the most important thing to have when you get started is an idea and to just write it down. If you try and force it by setting up a ritual then you run the risk of turning a hobby into a chore, and that defeates the purpose.

I guess there is a compromise here. Setting the right enviroment can be very helpful as you say, but maybe only use that environment when you feel the insperation. I just think setting up a formal schedule can be counter productive for someone that is just starting out

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Writing is not a mystery. It is a mechanical task, and it is possible to learn how to do it.

I am sure there are writers who are naturally prolific. Milan Kundera, one of my favorite novelists, calls them graphomaniacs! This type of writer will need none of my help.

However, for mere mortals like myself, having a procedure to follow (rules, if you will) makes writing much less daunting. From my own experience, I’m much more likely to succeed if I’m doing something in a systematic way (and that goes for hobbies and work alike).

Besides, Graylo, wouldn’t you like to be able to write a post on the days when you don’t feel inspired? That’s where understanding writing as a mechanical process comes in handy.

I know I am not the best blogger in the world, and have long said a majority of my success is due to lack of competition instead of quality. So, I don’t necessarily suggest that people follow my “method” of blogging.

That said, for a vast majority of bloggers, blogging is a hobby. We blog because we want to say something. Therefore inspiration is less of an issue, because if we didn’t have something to write about there is no reason to write. Its not like we have deadlines, or have to sell ads to make a living.

I don’t know. Maybe I’m confused about the purpose of this series. I think your suggestions are great for someone that wants to be a professional writer, or if they blog purely to build an audience. However, I think most people blog to speak their mind and have fun. If that is the case then deliberately setting up a writing ritual or your environment may turn the process more into a job then a hobby.

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I love the ideas posted in here. They are great for professional writers.

However, for the non professional, and sometimes just personal sanity, definitely give freewriting a chance. Put the pen to your paper, and keep it moving while distracting yourself with something else – listening to music, reading blogs, etc.

Let what comes out come out. It can be a great inspiration for future topics!

I do pretty much the same, except that I do have a second draft step where I hit preview and fix things I don’t like. I’ll still fix stuff once it’s been published if it bugs me enough.