Proper authors get asked questions like “what is your writing routine?” or “how do you fit writing into your day?” or “how do you get motived?”
As an imposter I thought it would be interesting to explore my own routine a little (such as it is).
It’s nothing fancy…
I have long periods of doing absolutely nothing and then equally long periods where I write like a starving dog attacking a packet of hot chips. I’m coming off the back of an extended keyboard absence now and can feel myself itching to get stuck into some chips loaded with salt and vinegar and scraps (if you’re not from England, look it up). In fact, I’m already there. For the last two weeks I’ve averaged over 1000 words a day. I’d suggest at least 70% of those words are nonsense but they are words and it is much easier to polish a turd than polish a turd that doesn’t exist.
I know what you’re thinking… I should write motivational posters.
My thing is, I know I’m getting back into a serious writing space when my audiobook rotation floats back to Stephen King and Terry Pratchett.
I listen to books or podcasts every day when I walk my dog but every now and then I get the urge to stop what I’m listening to and restart On Writing or A Slip of the Keyboard. This always corresponds with the dog-eating-chips itch to write. Today, I lined up both of these books and listened to half an hour each, though I must admit, when Sir Terry talks about his experiences in ‘not quite Australia but somewhere a little like it’ I have to stop laughing before I can start writing. I love that man.
So, that’s it really. I’m not quite sure what the point of this post is… just that when I get into a serious writing mood I listen to those two audiobooks and, oh yes, I started this post yesterday and I’m already halfway through On Writing (again… for the tenth time!)… and I’ve got another 1300 words of polishable turds under my belt.
Someone somewhere talked about burning the candle at both ends. I find you get more done if you light a match in the middle.