Happy September, Muse Readers!
As summer begins to wind down, we often find ourselves looking for some sort of structure and regularity as autumn approaches. Even if our summer wasn’t exactly carefree with loads of downtime, something in us remembers the “back to school” routine of fall and the feeling of wanting to “get back on track” with a more solid schedule.
September is the perfect time to hit the refresh button on our writing lives as we continuously strive to create a more disciplined approach to getting those poems, essays, or stories written. In his bestselling book, Atomic Habits, James Clear suggests an interesting method for developing routines and habits that lead us toward more productivity, whether in our daily, practical lives or in our creative pursuits.
Clear encourages us to start small—really small. For instance, if you are feeling resistance when it comes to sitting down and working on a poem, simply begin by sitting at the kitchen table (or wherever you write), op…