Every day for thirty-one days I‘ll share a slice and read others at Two Writing Teachers..
Yesterday I wrote about writing rituals. The comments from that post has me thinking about the references and questions between ritual and habits.
I was curious about the definitions about both words.
Habit: an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary: the habit of looking both ways before crossing the street.
Ritual: an established or prescribed procedure for a religious or other ceremony.
Wow, that’s interesting. I don’t necessarily see writing as a ceremony but I see the importance of having a few rituals in place to create that positive space to write. Is a ritual preparing to write then? Is it a ritual to read through emails and keeping away from the Internet during Writng?
And then there’s habits. After reading the comments, I practically smacked my hand on my forehead thinking; oh I do that: I am writing daily. I mean I set aside the two weekends a month for my manuscript but I am writing almost every day (and for this month everyday) for my two blogs.
One of the my new habits is taking the time to jot down notes like at lunch or when a thought comes to me. With this challenge, I find that I can write my blog post in the evenings. The PST time zone works in my favor. I love not waiting until just before the comments close with a panicked post.
But working on polishing my manuscript? I have to save that for the weekends.
Several comments talked about writing early in the morning. I use to do that but I must work out for my health and early morning is the best time to do that.
Jone Rush MacCulloch 
I like the clarification, Jone, and still am a bit of a wanderer in this. You’re adding to my thinking though.
I liked your seeking definitions to add depth to your post. Routines have always been hard for me, but this writing challenge has helped me change some of my attitudes (in good ways!)
There is something very comforting in having rituals and routines. I know after this challenge last year, I wrote more often, but then I started to slow down. I hope this challenge this year will get me back into the writing routine.
Being away from home and not having complete control over certain rituals in my life has taught me to treasure them. I very much miss the freedom to escape outside of the walls i reside in (anywhere) to read or write or contemplate or all three whilst enjoying a good cup of coffee and as i let the day of others unfold around me.
I’m with you on the PST schedule. Our bodies and other worldly constraints seem to dictate some of these habits, rituals of life. I appreciate the definitions… Finishing my comment at 6am PST! Computer died and I figured that was a sign. Julieanne
Finding that routine and ritual is so important – I think there’s a comfort in that, don’t you? Good for you that you work out early in the morning – something I keep promising my self to begin doing.