10 Common Mistakes That Keep You From Writing More (+How to Fix Each So You Can Produce Like a Pro)

Every writer wants to write more.

Problem is, that desire is no match for self-sabotage.

Most writers’ attempts to be more productive often end in embarrassing defeat. And what makes matters worse is that writers themselves are often to blame.

But fear not my fellow writer, because today, I’m bringing you hope.

No longer will your last published piece be from 2 months ago. No, we’re changing that right now.

Today I’ll show you 10 common mistakes you’re probably making that keep you from writing more. Then I’ll explain how to fix each so you can produce like a pro.

10 Common Mistakes That Keep You from Writing More

Mistake #1: You don’t schedule your writing.

Every writer needs a proper routine.

I don’t care if you’re a free spirit who writes best when you’re “inspired”—you don’t know that’s true if you’ve never used a routine, and we all know inspiration doesn’t hit as often as we’d like.

Why am I so sure a routine will help?

Because I used to wait on inspiration too.

I was a binge writer who wrote great stuff when I felt like it, but nothing got done otherwise. Now I have a schedule though, and it’s taken me to another level.

A schedule of at least 1 hour per session, 5 days a week is all it takes to get started. That’s enough time to be consistent no matter what else you do in life. I personally shoot for 2 hours, 5 days a week at minimum. That means I spend at least 10 hours writing each week.

This scheduled time isn’t strictly about drafting, however—writing involves much more than that. This is time to do anything related to writing projects. Research, editing, outlining, etc., those are all acceptable tasks.

Don’t just say, “I’ll write for 2 hours each day” though. Write your schedule down, put it on your calendar, and protect that time slot.

Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6 to 8 PM is my time for example. Then I write for at least 2 hours between 10 and 6 on weekend days.

Mistake #2: You write with a short-term view.

One of my biggest causes of inconsistent writing was my short-term view of the craft.

I worried about the comments a post would get, and if it was perfectly edited, and if it would go viral.

Don’t do that.

As a writer, it’s easy to fall victim to “this-is-the-one” mentality. What I mean is that writers often place too much affection on an individual work. They spend weeks and even months writing the perfect piece, and then stop writing because that one should have been their way out.

It was their way out of obscurity, loneliness, and rejection. But when their work doesn’t meet expectations, it kills their drive to keep creating.

That’s why you have to fight this mindset.

Writing is a long game, so you need to do it with a long-term view. Yeah, it’s natural to be discouraged when a masterpiece gets ignored, but think of that masterpiece as part of a bigger picture instead.

Write each piece as part of a larger body of work. That way, you’ll see the role each one plays in your library, and you won’t be sad when a piece doesn’t perform well—you’ll just move on to the next one.

The telltale sign of being skilled at a craft is when your work isn’t special to you anymore. That’s not to say you don’t care about it or that your quality drops. It’s more so that work is just something you do at that point, and excellence is expected.

Keep in mind that failure today isn’t a death sentence either. I’ve written articles that didn’t see traffic for months, but they were valuable pieces that covered timeless material, so now they bring readers to my words each day.

Mistake #3: You write in the wrong environment.

Focus is your greatest asset as a writer.

You can have all the time in the world, but if you can’t focus during those hours, they’ll be a waste. So you have to write wherever you can limit distractions.

Your chosen environment may differ from mine since distraction tolerance varies, but it should be a quiet spot where you won’t—and can’t—do anything but write.

I almost always write at my local library for this reason. It’s nice, clean, and welcoming, plus it has widely available study rooms that block all the outside noise.

I used to write back at my place a lot, but distractions there became unbearable. The TV, videogames, food, and neighbors were always waiting to steal my attention.

I need silence and blinders when I write, so the library is my best option.

Look up your own local library and see if that works if you need a spot. Maybe check a cafe or a park too if you can handle more noise. But wherever you go, make sure writing there is the only thing you want to do.

Mistake #4: You write at the wrong time.

Most people’s schedules are open at midnight, but that’s probably not when you should pick up a pen.

You want to write when you have the most energy, not necessarily when you have the most time.

Take a look at your calendar and see which open spaces are actually feasible. Then choose the slot when you feel most alive.

Yes, this can be tricky if you’re like me and have a full-time job. Sometimes your most energetic hours aren’t available, so you have to compromise.

Even though I love writing first thing in the morning for example, I feel rushed when I do it before work. So on weekdays, I write in the evenings, usually between 6 and 8.

Writing after work is tough on those especially draining days, but I still force myself to show up. And I’ve done this long enough now that my energy levels have adapted to my choice.

Mistake #5: You don’t make outlines.

Outlines are a must. I know a lot of writers like to freestyle their stuff, but it’s hard to consistently produce when you work off the top of your head.

Those pantsers may argue that outlining steals time from writing, but guess what? Outlining is writing.

When you make an outline, you’re organizing thoughts on a page. Your draft just turns your outline into a readable format.

Take this article for example. I’m drafting this with my outline snapped to the left side of my laptop screen. All I’m doing is copying my outline word-for-word on the right side, and adding bridge sentences to connect main points. That’s it.

Knowing what you’re going to write before you start saves so much time. I can’t imagine trying to write 2,000+ word articles off the dome. I’d be staring at a blank screen forever.

Oftentimes, the people who complain about writer’s block are just unprepared. They don’t make outlines or even post structures, so it’s no surprise their brains are overwhelmed.

Mistake #6: You don’t make to-do lists.

Half the battle is showing up. The other half is actually writing. And like I said before, writing is easier with a plan.

That’s why I always keep a to-do list when I start a writing session. It reminds me of what I need to get done and it helps me hit the ground running. I don’t think about which article to write or which idea to outline. I simply start with what I planned to do.

Sometimes I mark everything off my list by the end of a session. Other days, I barely get anything done, so don’t feel bad if you can’t always knock it out.

You don’t make to-do lists to hold yourself accountable. You make them so you can go hard from the start.

Mistake #7: You take unplanned breaks (for the wrong reasons).

You have to treat writing sessions like a part-time job or a class at school. Most people would rather not show up for those events, but they still do anyway if they actually care.

You don’t miss those appointments unless a true emergency pops up (e.g., you’re sick, you have car trouble, or there’s a family issue). Productive writing demands that you hold your routine to the same standard.

Not feeling inspired isn’t an excuse to miss writing sessions. You have to show up, just start, and rely on momentum to carry you through.

Now of course, you’ll have good days and bad days. What’s more important here though is that you keep showing up.

man sitting in chair writing with typewriter — Show up. Sit down. Write on.

It’s funny how the temptation to no-show doesn’t just stem from laziness either. Writers often take unplanned breaks right after their most productive sessions. That day off is a reward of sorts to them, but if you’re scheduled to write, you still gotta go.

Consistent writers don’t reward productivity with days off. Barring emergencies, they stick to the schedule—every day.

Mistake #8: You don’t take planned breaks.

One of the counter-intuitive benefits of a writing schedule is that you get satisfying breaks.

Before I had a routine, I wrote thousands of words on days off from work. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and any other vacation, I was using that time to write.

Not only was I putting extreme pressure on myself to knock out projects in a few days, I was also neglecting time with loved ones and missing out on rest. I was either working my day job, writing during time off, or sulking because writing plans never came to fruition.

That’s the sacrifice you make when writing isn’t your norm. But if writing often is normal for you—i.e., it’s part of your routine—you won’t spend every block of free time writing.

Once the holidays come, you can actually enjoy them. And a day off from work won’t involve slaving away on your project. You’ll have plenty material ready to go by then, so you can afford to plan time away.

Outside of those long vacations, however, I also plan days off in my weekly schedule.

You won’t catch me writing anything on a Friday after work. And I also take an early rest day each week to stay fresh.

Mistake #9: You don’t read books on writing.

Reading books on writing won’t just make you a better writer. It will make you a more productive one.

I know when I see a new technique, I get anxious to try it myself, and I’m sure you’re the same way. Remember the first time you saw an author skillfully use semicolons or em dashes? I bet your own writing was stuffed with them for weeks.

This desire to experiment breeds productive writing, and that’s why you should read good books on the craft.

So what should you read first?

I’ll show you two of my favorites here.

(Note: Affiliate links are included below. If you follow the link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

Book #1: Writing Tools

The first is Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark.

The book starts with the fundamentals of syntax and grammar then introduces more stylish techniques later on.

Clark teaches simple things like how to write well with your subjects and verbs. He then shows how those basic changes in structure give sentences more weight.

When executed properly, every tool in this book will enhance your writing. Each tool has it’s own chapter too, so it’s easy to go back and reference them all later.

Overall, Writing Tools is the most useful book on writing I’ve read. The introduction of fun techniques, explanations of why they work, and examples of their use make the book an easy recommendation for all writers.

Book #2: How to Write A Lot

The next one here is actually the inspiration for this article. It’s How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing by Paul J. Silvia.

The book covers the importance of a robust writing schedule in regards to academic writing, yet the system applies to anyone interested in the craft. Silvia shows how to create a productive routine that works for you, and he also shows common mistakes that keep you from writing more. (Sound familiar?)

A few chapters are devoted specifically to academic writers, but I found even those to be helpful. Most of the advice there covers universal stuff like how to handle rejection, how to persevere through failure, and how to present your work well as a writer.

The book is an easy to read, practical guide you can finish in a couple days. But don’t let it’s length fool you. It’s a must read if you’re serious about the craft.

Mistake #10: You do everything on your own.

Writing is a lonely task.

Most of us writers slog in silence for hours only to catch a breath when we hit publish, and then dive back into quiet waters.

This isolation takes a toll on your productivity and your health if you let it. That’s why it’s so important to have people in your corner. Whether it be supportive family members, encouraging friends, or fellow writers, you should embrace whoever’s on your side.

These people don’t have to critique your work or even read it. As long as they know you write, and they’re okay with that, they’re cool.

I’ve written at the library long enough for example that librarians know me on a first-name basis. They say hi to me as I walk to the reference desk, they sign me in to study room number 5, and then they ask if there’s anything they can help with before I close the door to the outside world.

Small support like that keeps me going. I know if I miss a session now, I won’t just miss an opportunity to write. I’ll miss seeing people who treat me well.

Those librarians barely know me or what I write about, but like everyone who sees how invested I am, they respect how I work, and I appreciate them for it.