Why writers should build treats into their practice to support and maintain a regular writing habit.

One day you write 1,000 words, only to delete the lot the next session. If you focussed solely on achieving a word count goal, you’d have little to celebrate. But you managed to squeeze two writing sessions into your busy timetable; you wrote, edited, perhaps worked through a problem with your plot. You deserve an A for effort even if it’s an E for attainment.

I believe the key to writing success is building a regular habit. Writers improve through practice. Treats are one way to acknowledge the work done and effort put in, regardless of the outcome. I think we should treat ourselves for turning up and putting the words on the page – for the process of writing. After all, if we waited until our goals and dreams were achieved they’d be very little pleasure in writing.

Small yet perfect

Treats help to build habits. Behavioural psychologist B F Skinner studied how rewards help shape behaviour through positive reinforcement. Treats are the smallest type of reward, too insignificant to be a prize or goal themselves, they are a sign of recognition, a pat on the back for getting on with things.

Writer and top blogger Gretchen Rubin is a big fan of treats. She says: “Treats give us greater vitality, which boosts self-control, which helps us maintain our healthy habits. When we give ourselves treats, we feel energized, cared for, and contented, which in turn boosts self-command. When we don’t get any treats, we feel depleted, resentful, and angry.”

In my four types of celebration, treats are one up from the basic level of reward, when the act of writing is a gift in itself, but smaller than a celebration. Treats are an external reward rather than a sense of satisfaction with the task.

Find your perfect treat

Dog training is all about rewarding good behaviour. When I walk my dog I carry a handful of dried dog food for treats. She eats a bowlful of the stuff twice a day, yet holding a pea-sized chunk in my hand can coax her off a hillside when she’s in hot pursuit of a rabbit. It’s the perfect doggy treat.

A treat is anything that gives pleasure or enjoyment. It should be small enough to keep you going but not a regular part of your routine. When I asked writers how they treat themselves they talked about a having decent coffee or nice cup of tea. A glass of wine is a little too much pleasure, especially if you write first thing in the morning. Many spoke of doing something physical, having a stretch, going for a walk or a run. For some it’s a small ritual to mark the end of a writing session – my weekend treat is to read the newspapers with breakfast after a writing session.

Back to Gretchen Rubin “it can be surprisingly hard to think of what little treats you want to give yourself. So many pleasures come at a cost: cookies cost calories, movies and books take time and focus, a museum costs the price of a ticket.” She suggests creating a list of treats that are very low cost in time, energy, or money.

The pleasure of weird treats

So treats need to be small external rewards, which are free or inexpensive, but not so mundane to be just part of your daily routine.

My treat could be very different to yours and could resemble your idea of a punishment. One of Gretchen Rubin’s treats is clearing clutter. She has friends who treat themselves by doing laundry or making travel arrangements. When I worked at the writers’ centre one of my colleagues treated herself by taking rubbish to the tip.

Do it now

Create a list of treats, thinking about what works for you. Make sure you include a few weird pleasures amongst the more conventional.