Disciplining yourself to write isn't an easy task, but you'll get better at it with time. The trick to this is creating a writing schedule which forces you to write every day. If you don't have a schedule, you'll wind up watching television, reading books and surfing the Internet rather than creating your latest story or article.
The problem that many writers face is that there are only twenty-four hours in a day. You have to set aside time to sleep, eat, socialize with your family and go to your day job, if you have one. This leaves precious few hours to actually write, which is why you have to examine your typical day and determine when it will be most convenient to write.
Time of Day
Some people (myself included) are more productive and creative during the morning hours while others seem to tap into their muse after the sun has drifted below the horizon. A lucky few can write no matter the time of day, but I'll assume that you don't fall into that category.
Disciplining yourself to write means coming up with a time when you will not only be able to sit down and write, but when you will actually want to put fingers to keyboard. If you have a nine-to-five job but you prefer to write in the mornings, start going to bed earlier and waking up a couple of hours before you have to start getting ready for work. If you prefer writing at night, turn on the computer right after dinner.
Length of Time
Even if you don't have a day job, you might not be able to put in an eight-hour day in front of the computer. That's fine; you don't have to write full-time in order to be a writer! However, you should know your threshold for the number of hours you can actually spend writing.
When I first started by freelance writing and editing business, I could only work for about three hours at a time before I started to burn out. That's normal. Now I can sit at the computer and work for ten hours without my fingers going numb, but that's after years of practice and hard work. Start with one or two hours and see how you do, then work up from there.
Opportunity
Believe it or not, you don't have to wait until the house is empty and quite to get started writing. I'll admit, I can't even think about sitting down at the computer in the morning until I have a cup of coffee and a cigarette, but don't limit yourself by creating the "perfect atmosphere" for writing.
If your kids are watching television in the living room, take that opportunity to pull up your latest short story. When you have a few extra minutes at work, type up a passage or two in an e-mail and send it to yourself. Taking advantage of the opportunity to write is one of the best ways to discipline yourself.
Writer's Block
We've all heard of the dreaded Writer's Block, which has been known to keep even the most prolific of authors wordless for days on end. On those occasions when writing just doesn't seem to be in the cards, allow yourself to take a break. Don't get depressed by sitting in front of a blank word processing screen.
When the ideas won't come to me, I find it beneficial to take a walk through my neighborhood. More often than not, the sight of someone tending their rose bushes or children playing a game of basketball in their driveway will give me an idea for a new article or story. Give yourself an opportunity to regroup, then go back to the drawing board.
Punishment
Finally, don't punish yourself if your output is less than what you had planned. Life is full of beautiful inconveniences that keep us from achieving our short-term goals. Remind yourself that you can make up for your deficit tomorrow, and turn off the computer for the night.
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