I agree that writers need to be motivated by something other than their own ego. But I disagree that routines aren't tremendously helpful, even for those uniquely inspired to write. People suited to write face the same challenges with self-control and time-management as everyone else.
For example, consider this interview with David Foster Wallace:
DFW: If past experience holds true, I will probably write an hour a day and spend 8 hours a day biting my knuckle and worrying about not writing.
This. I'll also add: people suffering from various levels of executive dysfunction, e.g. from ADHD. In those cases, the routines externalize executive functions, helping people who'd really love to write, except their own brain isn't cooperating.
> the routines externalize executive functions, helping people who'd really love to write, except their own brain isn't cooperating.
I've observed that an externalized executive function is helpful for nearly everyone, not just those compensating for a dysfunction, BUT: routines, like extrinsic motivation, are vulnerable to situational disruption. Choose the external trigger for the routine with care, and be prepared to defend your routines from competing triggers (particularly social ones).
The phone rings, or you receive a text message, or there is a knock at the door. Either you block these disruptions, or you may need an external trigger to resume the routine (which is harder to establish because disruptions are typically infrequent and irregular). Repurposing an existing trigger (like a pomodoro timer, if you use one) can help.
I also expect, just from my own experience, that starting a writing routine can actually cause the obsessive motivation to write, rather than vice-versa.
I started writing a musical last year while stuck in my NYC apartment during the COVID peak. At first, it was just a way to cope with the boredom. After a few weeks of writing every day, it became more and more difficult to think about anything else. Eventually I stopped, not because writing was too hard, but because it too hard to get through my day job.
I'm not implying that I have the necessary talent to succeed as a writer, but I expect successful writers feel similarly about their writing process.
For example, consider this interview with David Foster Wallace:
DFW: If past experience holds true, I will probably write an hour a day and spend 8 hours a day biting my knuckle and worrying about not writing.
CR: Not worrying about what to write?
DFW: Worrying about not writing.