If you struggle to stick to a daily writing routine, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Even the greatest writers of all time wrestled with discipline, distractions, and procrastination. But instead of waiting for inspiration, they built solid writing habits that helped them produce legendary work.

Let’s take a look at five famous writers and their writing schedules—so you can steal what works for you.

1. Ernest Hemingway – Write First Thing in the Morning

Hemingway believed in writing early, before the world could get in the way. He’d wake up at dawn, grab a coffee, and write until noon.

His logic? The morning is when your mind is freshest, free from the distractions of the day. If you’ve ever tried writing at night after a long day, you know how hard it is to focus.

Lesson: If you struggle with consistency, try a morning writing routine. Get up, sit down, and start writing before checking emails, scrolling social media, or doing anything else.

2. Stephen King – Write 2,000 Words Every Single Day

Stephen King doesn’t believe in waiting for inspiration. He writes every single day, even on holidays, and aims for 2,000 words.

His approach? Start at the same time every morning, write in the same place, and hit a daily word count—no matter what. He treats writing like a job, not a hobby.

Lesson: Set a daily writing goal. It doesn’t have to be 2,000 words, but having a specific target makes it easier to stick to a routine.

3. Maya Angelou – Have a Dedicated Writing Space

Angelou couldn’t write at home. Too many distractions. So, she rented a hotel room just for writing—no phone, no interruptions, just her and the work.

Lesson: Your environment matters. If you struggle to focus, find a dedicated space for writing. It could be a quiet coffee shop, a library, or even a specific chair in your house.

4. Haruki Murakami – Stick to a Strict Routine

Murakami treats writing like an athlete treats training. He wakes up at 4 a.m., writes for five hours, then exercises, reads, and goes to bed early.

His secret? Repetition. Doing the same thing every day, at the same time, until it becomes second nature.

Lesson: A structured writing schedule eliminates decision fatigue. When you write at the same time every day, it stops being a struggle—it becomes a habit.

5. Charles Dickens – Write in Focused Blocks of Time

Dickens wrote in focused, three-hour blocks—late morning and early afternoon. No distractions. Just deep, concentrated work.

After writing, he’d take long walks to clear his mind and get new ideas.

Lesson:

You don’t need to write all day. Just block out uninterrupted time—whether it’s 30 minutes or three hours—where you do nothing but write.

The takeaway?

There’s no one-size-fits-all writing routine. Some writers prefer mornings, others write in short bursts. The key is finding what works for you and sticking to it.

Next, I’ll show you the exact writing habits I’ve used for the last five years to earn six figures as a copywriter.