How to Set the Mood: Building Effective Writing Habits Through Rituals

Greetings, Reader! Welcome to the official Tome Ravens blog, where we cover everything from writing and editing tips to bookish news and reviews! Check back every other Saturday afternoon for a new post, and leave a comment if you would like to see us cover a specific topic here on the blog, and make sure to subscribe so you can be notified whenever we post new content.

Imagine this: It’s raining outside. The pitter patter of raindrops against your window, and the overcast sky suddenly stir the urge to grab your favorite blanket, brew some tea or coffee, and curl up next to the window with your current read. You don’t even need to think about it. Your brain and body are suddenly in reading mode, and you’re eager to oblige.

Whether or not you realize it, the rain and the weather is a cue. Maybe it’s a subconscious one, or perhaps one you’ve worked to develop over time. Either way, you can’t help the excitement and readiness of grabbing a book and diving into its pages when you feel the weather getting chilly.

The cool thing about cues, is that you can create them for yourself. You might already have a cue, and you just don’t realize it. A cue can be the smallest thing that you find yourself doing before you begin your writing sessions. Sometimes cues can even help you overcome writer’s block, or particularly difficult writing days. Cues can become little rituals that help you build an effective writing habit. They’re most effective when you’re actively doing something, or getting set up in a specific location. The following five cues help me get into my best creative writing flow, whether I use some or all of them.

1. Create your perfect writing setting

On rainy days, the weather creates a specific setting that triggers the mood for you to want to read. Do you have a favorite place to write? Somewhere that you like to go that creates the perfect setting to get your creative juices flowing? Think about where you feel most comfortable writing, and try setting up camp there every time you have a writing session.

Here are some of my favorite places to write:

• The couch

• My bed

• The floor

• The library

• My favorite coffee shop

2. Light a candle

Scent is a powerful thing. It can trigger memories, and stir emotion within us - be that good or bad. It can also be part of your writing routine. Find a candle - or even incense - that embodies the scent of one of your characters, or a main setting in your WIP. Light it before each time you sit down to write. The scent can become familiar enough to trigger your mind to switch into writing mode whenever you sit down after lighting that candle.

3. Make a drink or snack

This tip might already be something you do before you sit down to write, but if you don't, I highly recommend giving it a try. The action of brewing a cup of coffee, your favorite tea, or mixing some other sort of concoction before you settle into your writing spot can help you feel ready to take on your project. I always feel prepared when I’m armed with a cozy beverage or a tasty snack to keep me going (or save as a reward for hitting my goal!).

4. Listen to a music playlist

Music is a huge source of inspiration for my writing. I create playlists for all of my WIPs on Spotify, which has a free version that makes it very easy to share your playlists. I choose songs that embody characters, scenes, setting, and even the overall mood or themes. I try to organize them in order of the events in the story. Some writers even make entire playlists for each of their characters, or different character relationships! Organizing playlists can be a really fun way to take a deep dive into the emotions of your WIP. I’ve listened to my playlists so much that I can play at least one song and immediately feel compelled to work on my story. If you haven’t cried over your own book playlist, are you even a writer? (You are, but I also recommend giving this a shot.)

5. Scroll through Pinterest

Images are as much of a source of inspiration for me as music. Just like my playlists, I have Pinterest boards for all of my WIPs. I have to note that Pinterest can be a giant, gaping hole that we procrastinating writers love to fall into (very much like research), but it can also be a wonderful place to organize art and photos that attract the creative bug. Opening up Pinterest and seeing my curated boards and aesthetics can instantly cue my brain that it’s time to write, while also re-igniting my excitement via images that I associate with my stories.

Cues can be very powerful tools in helping you cultivate a writing routine that works for you! I hope that if you try any of these suggestions, you find that at least one of them helps you in your writing journey.

Do you have any writing rituals that help you with productivity? Are there any you’d like to try, but haven’t yet? Share with us in the comments! I’m always up for trying things that I haven’t before.

Jasmine

If you haven’t subscribed already, what are you waiting for? Get notified as soon as we post new content, and never miss out on bookish news and expert writing advice! You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, too!

Are you a writer looking to take the next step with your manuscript? We offer Beta Reading and Editing services at unbeatable rates on our website! So whether you’re looking to submit your work to agents or self-publish, we can help take your manuscript to the next level. For more information on our services and our rates, click here!

Caw Caw for now!

The Tome Ravens