Phase 1 - Get Started

Step 1: Start Writing
On day one it doesn't matter what you write, after all, you've not got your plan together yet, however, it's really important to tell your brain that you've started. So simply spend 10 minutes, right now, writing about why you want to write.
I have a daily writing habit. Want one too? Find out How To Write Like A Pro: http://bit.ly/2difGfZ via @KarenDimmick #writer
Phase 2 - Create Your Plan
Make no mistake, we're going to war with your objections here. Those excuses that pop up are the enemy of your success. That's the reason you need a plan.

- Your motivation for writing
- Your writing goal (either time or word count)
- Your trigger to start writing so the habit can start forming
- Your reward when you complete your goal, and / or your consequence if you don't
- Your system for writing to minimize writer's block
- Your pick up plan for when things go belly up
Step 2: Define Your Motivation

- Made you less stressed, so your family was happier
- Your writing cemented your authority and your business took off

Step 3: Define Your Daily Writing Goal

Step 4: Pick Your Trigger
- The trigger that makes you start the action
- The action of the habit
- The reward you get for completing the action

If [the trigger happens], then I'll do [the action for my goal]
Step 5: Pick Your Reward or Consequence

The Way It Works
Which Are You?

Motivator | Pattern |
Towards | Here are my goals, here's why I want them, here's what's important |
Toward with away | Here are my goals, but here's what I want to be careful of or avoid |
Both | Here's my goals and here's what I want to avoid |
Away with Towards | Here's what I want to avoid, but I do want this... |
Away From | Here's what I want to avoid, here are the potential problems I see |
Do You Plan a Reward or a Consequence?


Step 6: Set Up Your Writing System

- Ideas
- Drafts
- Edits / Final
Then he takes an idea from his Ideas folder each morning to write each day. The end result goes into his Drafts folder. He then spends a little time on the previous day's rough draft piece and edits it to make it into a finished work. Then he pulls a post from his Edits folder to publish and finally, he adds ideas to his Ideas folder throughout the day.
Step 7: Create Your Pick Up Plan

I have a writing plan. Want one too? Find out How To Write Like A Pro: http://bit.ly/2difGfZ via @KarenDimmick #writer
Phase 3 - Take Action
Step 8: Get Accountable
Step 9: Keep Track

Step 10: Write Whenever You Can
Step 11: Publish

- You must write.
- You must finish what you start.
- You must refrain from rewriting except to editorial order.
- You must put it on the market.
- You must keep it on the market until sold.
Phase 4 - Mindset
Step 12: Overcome Your Obstacles

- Too Busy? Keep your writing goals tiny because a tiny step in the right direction each day will ultimately get you there. So pick a goal to write for 10 minutes each day, first thing in the morning after you get up.
- Lack of Motivation? Read the why statement that you came up with in your plan
- Distracted? There are several apps that will block you from social media or even the internet as a whole. For offline distractions, make sure the place you write has a door you can close and hang a Do Not Disturb sign on. You also want to have everyone you live with agree to only intrude on your writing time when there's an emergency.
Next Step
Want to write like a pro? Start. Plan. Execute. Master. Details at: http://bit.ly/2difGfZ via @KarenDimmick #writer
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16 thoughts on “How To Write Like A Pro”
Great article and great plan. It seems like one could replace 'writing' with any habit they'd like to develop (exercise, making sales calls, etc.) and it would still be powerful!
Thanks Brett! Yes you definitely could 🙂
Fantastic article. Really inspired me to get writing
Awesome! Look forward to hearing about what you're writing
Great article. I love the tip about start to write to tell your brain you've started. I keep getting bogged down in the planning phase so never really get going. Your approach makes perfect sense. So many excellent pieces of advice in one article. Thanks for posting!
Thanks Mark! Yes that's a trap a lot of people fall into.
Super article! Lot's of detail -- LOVE the habit loop info. This could really help a lot of aspiring writers!
Thanks Chad! I agree 🙂
Amazing article! Very well written and easy to follow! It can seem very daunting to take up a new habit - especially one that involves creativity, but I love the way you break it down! Thank you for writing this, definitely sharing!
Awesome - thanks 🙂 And thank you so much for the share!
Such a great article! It can seem so daunting starting a new habit - especially one that involves a high level of creativity and personal effort. I like the way you break it down and make it seem possible for anyone. Thank you for writing, I'll definitely be sharing!
Sorry you had trouble with the first comment - thank you for being persistent and giving it another go!
Really good stuff here Karen..... in fact I would say much of this can be applied to all forms of success. Its the consistent doing which is the real power.
Thank you David! It definitely can
This article should be considered the definitive work on how to become a pro-writer. Everything you need, other than the actual action, is right here for continual reference in a straight-forward non-nonsense approach. Kudos Karen. LOVE IT!!!!
Thanks Laura! Really appreciate it 🙂
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