4 Tiny Habits that Lead to Big Memoir Progress

You want to write your memoir—but something keeps getting in the way. Time. Energy. Fear. Perfectionism. Life. All legitimate barriers.

But writing a memoir isn’t just about finding inspiration. It’s about building habits.

In Atomic Habits, James Clear’s best-selling book on how to make tiny changes that lead to remarkable results, he outlines four simple laws of behavior change. When applied to writing—especially memoir—they can make the difference between dreaming about your book and actually getting it done Let’s explore each law, along with real-life writing strategies and a few personal stories to show you what this looks like in practice. 

Law 1: Make It Obvious

If you’ve committed to writing your memoir, you have an overarching goal that’s driving you. You have a will to write, but not necessarily a plan for how you’ll write it. You start out energized and make a goal to write every day. But when you sit down to write that first week, you stare at a  blank screen. Tap out a few lines and then quickly lose energy because you’re not really sure what you’re trying to say or how to go about writing a memoir. As Clear writes, “Many people think they lack motivation when what they really lack is clarity.”

If your writing habit is vague, it won’t stick. Don’t just say: “I want to write more.”

Say: “I write for 20 minutes at 7:30 a.m. with my coffee, in bed, with my journal open.”

This is an obvious action you will take. And every time you follow through and start your day writing in bed with your coffee, you’ll be becoming the kind of person who writes a memoir.

Use visual cues + habit stacking

Part of making writing obvious is making it visible. This means putting your writing materials in plain sight. If you use a journal, leave it on your pillow or nightstand. If you write on your laptop, place it somewhere you’ll see it when you walk into the room. Visibility = accountability.

Another strategy Clear recommends is habit stacking—linking your writing to something you already enjoy or do every day.

Here’s how I do it: I love my morning coffee. I mean I really love it. My ritual is to grab that first cup, climb back into bed, and sip slowly, easing into the day. Because I associate that moment with quiet reflection, I pair it with my morning writing time. Coffee + freewriting = my favorite way to begin.

Start by asking yourself: What do I already do every day? Then build your writing habit around it. 

Law 2: Make It Attractive

Let’s be honest—writing can feel hard. But habits are easier to keep when they feel enjoyable or even a little indulgent.

Create a cozy ritual + build in rewards

To make writing more appealing, I like to create a sensory writing ritual. Before I start, I turn on a diffuser in the next room with one of my favorite essential oils, scents that support focus, abundance, or mental clarity. The gentle scent becomes a cue: it’s writing time.

I also give myself something to look forward to when I finish—a walk, a bike ride, a phone call with a friend. Knowing there’s a little reward waiting makes it easier to start (and stick with) the habit.

What small pleasure could you pair with your writing? It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just a simple reward that makes your writing time even more attractive. 

Law 3: Make It Easy

You don’t need a flawless routine or two-hour blocks of time. You just need to lower the barrier to entry so it’s easy to begin.

Start small + focus on showing up

When I’m feeling uninspired or resistant, I’ll tell myself: “Just write for 15 minutes. That’s it. After the timer goes off, if I’m still not into it, I can stop.”

That’s the beauty of what Clear teaches—make the goal simply to start. Not to finish a chapter or hit 1,000 words. Just to show up. Just to begin. Most days, once I’ve started, I keep going. But even if I don’t, I’ve still honored the habit—and that builds momentum over time. 

Law 4: Make It Satisfying

Your brain craves closure, progress, completion. So make your writing habit feel good—even if you’re just inching forward.

Track progress + write in community

There’s something wonderfully satisfying about seeing your work accumulate.

Try using a visual tracker—a calendar, a printable habit chart, or a page in your planner. Each time you write, mark it with a check, a sticker, or a note. Let yourself see that you’re showing up. Even a simple message in your journal like “I wrote today” can reinforce the habit.

And don’t underestimate the power of writing with others. Clear writes about how surrounding yourself with people who share your values makes new habits stick.

That’s why I host Write-Alongs, my Saturday morning online writing sessions. Even though we spend most of the session off-camera, quietly writing in our own spaces, it’s powerful to know you’re not alone. There’s accountability, encouragement, and a shared sense of momentum. It feels good to protect that time—and to talk with other writers who get it.

Find your people. Let writing be something you do with others, not just alone. 

Your Memoir Gets Written One Habit at a Time

You don’t need to overhaul your life or write for hours a day. Just try adopting Clear’s four laws to your writing life:

• Make it obvious (habit stack or use visual cues)
  
• Make it attractive (ritual + rewards)
  
• Make it easy (lower the bar + start small)
  
• Make it satisfying (track your progress + write in community)

Real progress doesn’t come from waiting for inspiration. It comes from showing up—again and again—until writing becomes part of who you are.

Want encouragement and accountability as you build your writing habits? Join The Memoir Room, my free Facebook group for memoir writers. You’ll find a supportive, creative community of writers who show up regularly to share work, swap ideas, and keep each other going.