Routines?

[Inspired]

I just did a search and didn't see this topic covered before, so I'm sorry if it was, but I REALLY NEED A WRITING ROUTINE!

Can you tell me what you do on a regular basis that gets you writing?

I need routine. You should see my elaborate (quirky) routine for doing laundry; for doing dishes; for checking e-mail and message boards; and for grading homework.

But - nothing yet for writing. If I just had some weird little routine, I know I'd get more done on a regular basis.

I'm thinking that it has to involve hot tea, but that's all I've figured out. Every time I sit down (BIC) I do things differently - and it bugs me. That said, my nature bucks routine until it's so ingrained I can't give it up.

So, I'm just curious if there are any unique routines you'd like to share. Normal routines are welcome, as well.

[mommie4a]

Ok - just promise us, you're not OCD (cuz I'm a licensed social worker and wouldn't want to contribute to the worsening of a clinical condition!)

[Inspired]

Oh, no! Definitely not. I'm just lazy.

When I'm busy, I get a lot done. But, if I don't feel busy (like routine stuff) then I tend to only get things done in rushes.

Or, maybe it's a lack of attention span. I don't know. I think I'm just lazy.

[mommie4a]

Phew! I was being a bit tongue in cheek, of course! You know, folks who say they NEED routines - could be a little scary if you need it too much! But I hear what you're saying re: lazy, busy, rushing. I know I have articles on this somewhere - I think there's a site called the organized writer - have you googled that?

[Inspired]

Yeah. I've got that bookmarked somewhere. I need to keep that front and center for awhile. I used to get Julie's e-mails. Thanks for reminding me.

Is this the one you're thinking of? http://www.organizedwriter.com/index.htm

[mommie4a]

Bingo.

[mommie4a]

http://organizedwriter.com/issue23.htm

Just took a minute to google and found this - look where it came from, surprise, surprise. Good luck - please share if you find some good tips!

[mommie4a]

http://onlineorganizing.com/Home.asp

[Rose]

It looks like mommie4a's got you covered, but I'm happy to share my writing "routine" with you. I love lists and schedules and structure -- it's weird, I know -- but it's the only way I get things done. (Full disclosure: I see this is in the Writing Novels forum. I don't write novels, I'm a magazine writer...)

Okay, my routine starts at the end of the day. (1) I enter everything I need to do the next day into my Day Planner.
(2) The first thing I do the next morning is write my morning pages, three of them. Then I make a latte and a piece of toast, surf the Absolute Write boards, and check my e-mail.
(3) At 8:00 a.m., it's go time! I light a scented candle, then prioritize my to-do list.
(4) I work diligently...unless I let myself get distracted (this happens more than I'd care to admit). The candle's fragrance is supposed to remind me I'm working, and usually it gets me back on track. I check off each task upon completion, and I do it with a flourish.

That's my routine. I'd love to hear from others, too.

[Euan H.]

I have a fairly fixed routine (in fact, 'set in stone' might be a better way of describing it).

I get up at 5.30, which allows me to get into work and get the air-con on by 6.15, After that:

6.15-6.30: check email, drink first cup of coffee
6.30-7.30 first block of writing
7.30 second cup of coffee
7.30-8.30 second block of writing

Same every day (except Sat and Sun). I've found that making it into a habit (obsessively so, according to my wife) has made it much easier to produce consistently. I still haven't sold anything though, but there y'go...

[Jamesaritchie]

So, I'm just curious if there are any unique routines you'd like to share. Normal routines are welcome, as well.

Same time, same place, day in and day out. It doesn't take long for this to become a habit. Or didn't for me.

Making writing a routine was easy. What still comes hard is finding time to do the research, mailing, phone calls, etc.

[Inspired]

Same time, same place, day in and day out.

That's part of the issue. I have to squeeze in time when I can. Between my full-time job, volunteering and kids, I DO have time. It's just not always going to be the same time or even the same place every day. That's why I need some kind of trigger to get me writing. I like the candle idea, though I don't think that's going to work on my messy desk. :o One thing I have found so far, is to reread just one paragraph (or page, if necessary) from the last time I wrote. I can do some tweaking of it, then move on. Once I get going, I do a pretty good job. Even with distractions, I can make progress.

[veinglory]

What television programs do you always find time to watch? You could do it then (TV on or off depending on your method).

[Jamesaritchie]

That's part of the issue. I have to squeeze in time when I can. Between my full-time job, volunteering and kids, I DO have time. It's just not always going to be the same time or even the same place every day. That's why I need some kind of trigger to get me writing. I like the candle idea, though I don't think that's going to work on my messy desk. :o One thing I have found so far, is to reread just one paragraph (or page, if necessary) from the last time I wrote. I can do some tweaking of it, then move on. Once I get going, I do a pretty good job. Even with distractions, I can make progress.

That's a tough setup. I've had periods where it couldn't be the same time, smae place everyday. It doesn't actually have to be the same place, I can write anywhere, but for me, it has to be the same time. I never could make it work when this wasn't the case.

Finally, I had no choice but to block off certain hours and declare myself unavailable for anything else during that time period.

I don't light a candle, but I do use a timer. Electronic when at the computer, a portable oven timer when away from the computer. When the timer starts, so does the writing. When the timer buzzes (Or with the one on the computer, when it plays the theme from The Waltons) the writing stops.

The timer adds a "Have to get it done" factor.

[mommie4a]

I have to squeeze in time when I can. Between my full-time job, volunteering and kids, I DO have time.

I'm so there with you, Inspired. Three kids at two different schools (and different start and end of school times) in opposite directions, the volunteer stuff (not to mention the general house/family/marital stuff/health and so on that we all have stuff) and then writing.

My triggers: honest, it's just my urge to write and be writing and do more about writing and be able to write. That urge is that strong for me and it gets me out of bed and infront of the computer. There's always so much I want to be writing about, I never run out of ideas and thank goodness, I haven't run out of projects that fill my time, and then some. (I've only been doing this for 2-3 years). As for physical triggers - showering, dressing, making a cup of coffee, opening the blinds so the sun shines on my space, reviewing my email and then boom - doing my writing tasks. Sometimes I make lists (like today) but sometimes I don't. I also keep a couple of inspirational things around like a list of how you get to be a Pulitzer-level journalist (a columnist here just won one and I know her very casually - heard her speak and a friend posted her advice, which I printed out and taped to my desk).

My routine:

Wake at 6:15 - sometimes I workout for 30mins, sometimes I shower and then do a little writing before getting the kids up at 7am

Two kids out by 8am - I write for 10-30mins before I take 2nd one to school

On Mon/Tues/Weds: from time I get home from taking other kid (9:15 or so) until 12noon (unless I skip lunch, then it's til 12:45), I do writing stuff. This includes a couple of hours at least once a week being in a high school that I'm observing for a storytelling project on education reform.

On Thurs/Fri - My mornings are more spotty - I do the classroom vol. thing, have a game of tennis, do personal hygiene (i.e. get haircut, doctor - whatever)

Afternoons: On Tuesdays only, I have a couple of extra hours while my son stays longer at Pre-K. All other afternoons are very patchwork. If I'm on deadline, I take more time and try to get kids occupied (they're 5,8, 11). For example, on Tuesdays, two of three kids are at Hebrew school. I might try to get the little on a playdate. On Thursdays, two of three are also out in the mid-afternoon and again, I might make other arrangements for the little one.

During breaks, I get a local high school girl to sit - last week, I had a sitter for 12 hours, then did kid stuff during the other times (little one was on break).

Weekends - if on deadline, get time from hubby. Send kids to movie with him etc. He's moderately supportive - and gets very proud when others comment to him about my work. That's always good for a few hours!

[Sarita]

I'm NOT a morning person. I don't sleep well or very much, but mornings have always been rough on me. I'm really good at making up excuses to not get any writing done. Something changed about 3 months ago. I decided to wake up everyday at 5:30, no matter what, even on weekends. Insanity, I know. So, now during the week I:

wake up at 5:30
coffee/shower
writing by 6
write till 7
Play on AW from 7-7:30
get ready for work and be there by 8-8:30.

Weekends are more relaxed, but I'm still writing by 7am.

You wont believe how much I've gotten done. An hour a day has made a world of difference. I also try to put in 2 or 3 nights a week, by talking the husband into going out with his friends. I come off as an understanding wife, he has fun, I get writing done. Win/Win!

I don't light a candle, but I do use a timer. Electronic when at the computer, a portable oven timer when away from the computer. When the timer starts, so does the writing. When the timer buzzes (Or with the one on the computer, when it plays the theme from The Waltons) the writing stops..
I like the point James makes about the timer. I don't use it in the mornings, god forbid I throw something at the microwave at 7am. But in the evenings when I write, I do it in hour intervals and the timer helps keep me on track. The days when I don't have any responsibilities or obligations and can spend the whole day writing, are the days I don't get any writing done. Strange.

~Sara

[Roger J Carlson]

I just did a search and didn't see this topic covered before, so I'm sorry if it was, but I REALLY NEED A WRITING ROUTINE!

Can you tell me what you do on a regular basis that gets you writing?
I get up every morning and take my laptop to the restaurant (Bob Evans, actually). I usually only have coffee (except for "Country Biscuit Friday"), so it doesn't cost that much ($1.37 + $1 tip). I write for about an hour and write between 500-800 words in that time. After my hour, I leave for work.

I tried writing at home before leaving for work, and I tried getting to work early and writing, but neither approach worked. I've been doing the restaurant thing for more than four years and it works well for me.

The odd thing is that EVERY morning I think I have nothing to write and I hate writing. But by the time I leave, I love writing and I don't want to stop.

[Jamesaritchie]

The days when I don't have any responsibilities or obligations and can spend the whole day writing, are the days I don't get any writing done. Strange.

~Sara

Now that's the awful truth, ain't it? There's an old saying that goes something like, "Work expands to fill the time allotted to it."

When you have all day to do something, it takes all day to do it, and when you have only two hours to do something, you get it done in two hours.

It can be much harder to get enough writing done when you have all day to do it. It's so easy to procrastinate, to find reasons not to write, when you have all day with nothing else to do but write.

I really believe discipline is easier for me when other things are tugging at my time. I've known a few writers who had to take an outside job just so they could make themselves write everyday.

Who says writers aren't weird?

[wurdwise]

Since I gave myself a deadline to enter a contest with my novel, I have gotten more work done in two weeks than I had before in two months. I see now that when I finish and start freelancing, I need to follow the advice of that organized writer site, which I've saved, and set myself goals and make personal deadlines. I have gotten into the habit of writing late at night, about 8 or 9 I can't keep myself away from my WIP and I work till 2 or 3 am, (between trips to the site) I think I'll probably keep those hours, I like the quiet and working after dark, which is very weird, I used to be such a morning person. Funny how we develop habits so quickly. I figure, when I start freelancing, I can have coffee in the am and play around on the computer for an hour, bath and clean house, the spend the rest of the morning doing busy work, submitting, planning, organizing, writing greeting cards, poetry, fillers, just TCB. Rest in the afternoons, read, play on the computer, nap, whatever, and keep the same nightime slot open for the longer stories, articles, things I can get lost in for hours.

[maestrowork]

I push everything to the last minute. I strive on deadlines. I'm more efficient that way. Why spend 50 hours doing the same thing when I can do it in 2 if I'm under deadline pressure? LOL.

[mommie4a]

There is absolutely something to be said for what Ray posted: I got called to do a piece in a few days. It involved spending a few hours at a museum with my kids and then writing about it. I had VERY little time, a short word count and tons of information.

I compacted it into the time I had - which was maybe two-three hours total for writing, revising and submitting. That's way less than normal for me. But I noticed from this assignment and a few others that were similar in terms of limited time and word count, when I push it to the last minute, I'm often way more efficient.

Of course, this method has a lot to do with one's strengths/weaknesses and the type of work you're trying to turn out. I took great notes while at the museum, used a digital recorder to get my kids comments and record my own, and then when I went to write the piece, I had a lot of the draft already somewhere in some form and just grafted it into the article.

THEN...on the other hand - there's this hellacious situation I got myself into by deciding to write a Father's Day column for my June parenting column. About my dad. BIG MISTAKE because my relations with him are so complex. I've really struggled and spent probably 10x more time on the damn thing. It's 98% done now and will go in today, but boy - it was hard and painful and used up a lot of energy.

Lessons? You need to know yourself, your habits, what makes things easier for you and what's being asked of you. Does the work need to be great or just good enough - what are the expectations of the person who's asked for the work? When an editor calls me and gives me 600 words, five days and says write the treatment options for three different cancers - come on - I'm going to do my best, but it might not be THE best that I can do.

Ok - enough. GOOD LUCK always.

[TheNightTerror]

I'm pretty specific about how my writing routine goes, just thought I'd share it too. :) I generally can't really work unless multiple things are going on at once, so I usually have a movie, or music, on in the background. I never even notice them half the time, but I'll definitely notice if they're not there, naturally. Just so I don't get thrown, if I'm writing something set in the past, I won't be caught dead listening to anything remotely modern, and I'll limit the movies I watch to ones that are set in, or were made in, the time period the story takes place in.

Once I actually start writing, I get up around 9 pm, then start writing around 10. (I have sleep phase disorder, apparently, depending on which doctor you ask.) I just throw on either a CD or a movie which I'll always listen to when I start writing, and put the pedal to the metal. During the winter I closed the window in my room and burned some incense when it was time to start writing, that helped quite a bit. Once I start writing, I'm usually awake until 6-7 am, then I crash ASAP. Then, in the evening, once I've woken up, I do the same routine over again. I get quite a bit done, usually don't need more than around 2 months to finish each story.

[wurdwise]

There is absolutely something to be said for what Ray posted: .

And I suppose absolutely nothing to be said for what i did.

"Since I gave myself a deadline to enter a contest with my novel, I have gotten more work done in two weeks than I had before in two months. I see now that when I finish and start freelancing, I need to follow the advice of that organized writer site, which I've saved, and set myself goals and make personal deadlines."

I also told you, Jill, how fantastic your story was about your dad, and you didn't even acknowledge it. Maybe I am on your ignore list?

[mommie4a]

Denise - I just PM'd you and am going to write you an email after this post.

I'm extremely embarassed and sorry. It's complete and total tunnel vision and oversight and taking shortcuts and trying too hard to be efficient and not seeing what I should be seeing and acknowledging. Now see there's the problem in fitting in too much. I lose sight of all the threads (figurative - not here) I've started to weave and don't pick them up again - and that's really very not nice, as well as just not professional.

I'm sorry. You're appropriate to say something and boy, I need to be more mindful about everything (I could write books on all the times my husband feels I've forgotten what he needs or wants because I was too focused on something else - yes, occasionally my writing. Again, shame on me, I know. It's obsessive at times. And thank you for helping me see it.)

[wurdwise]

Now I feel bad. Pay no attention to me, I am having a pity party this morning. I guess I need to get offline and go back to bed. Sorry, Jill, I didn't mean to upset you. I get my feelings hurt too easy these days, everything feels like it's directed at me.

[Birol]

Denise, just because an individual does not directly respond to a post or respond as quickly as we might like does not mean they disagree or are ignoring us. No one is obligated to respond to every post. Do you know how many threads, I have "killed", meaning I have been the last one to post to?

Even on a message board, time is sometimes short and we cannot respond as fully as we would like or to everyone we would like to. Please understand, someone not mentioning your post or not responding to you is not necessarily meant as a personal slight. Sometimes, it is even a compliment, meaning it is strong enough to stand on its own.

[mommie4a]

Denise - not to worry - please - you were right - I did see what you posted, it's just that Ray's was the top at the time and I guess, I don't know - it's just seemed like a good quick first line lead-in. Also - what you posted did strike me as being an amazing run of writing and discipline. I'm sorry for not acknowledging it, and I wish that all the blobs I used to have still meant something so that I could give you lots of rep points for the post AND the work that you posted about.

Given everything you've endured lately, please - you're entitled!! I was being the prima dona - asking and maybe not giving enough back to others. Really, it's good - it's all good! :-)

[wurdwise]

I got it, Moderator.

[maestrowork]

Ray's was the top

That fits my ego just fine. ;)

Have a laugh! The day is still young. :)

[mommie4a]

You're quick too, Ray - though that's not necessarily as good as being on top!:)

[arrowqueen]

Get up washed, etc.

Feed whoever/whatever needs feeding.

Consume two giant cups of coffee and four fags. (I think a healthy breakfast always gets you off to a good start.) Read paper while absorbing requisite supplies of caffeine and nicotine.

Work from 10 -12/12.30. (One short story/1,000 - 2,000 words of novel.)

Make lunch,

Do shopping/washing/cleaning/tutoring etc.

Make dinner.

Lie around reading/watching telly. (claiming it's research)

Come online, read emails/read AW/look at ebay/talk to friends.

Go to bed. Read more. Last thng before sleep, check ideas book to see what I shall write next day. Fall asleep plotting.

[zeprosnepsid]

I think the most important part of your schedule is to make sure you schedule relaxing time. Since I've started freelancing and doing other writing, I feel like I need to be working all the time. Come home from work? I need to be working. Watching my favorite TV show? Need to be working. Eating dinner? Need to be working. But this has burnt me out so fast. It takes me longer to get work done because my mind is fried. So you mentioned you have job and volunteering and other things. Schedule writing time, but definitely schedule relaxing time.

I'm terrible with scheduling. Plus you never know what's going to happen. I moved from a busy street to a residential street and it's still too noisy for me to get work done most of the time. I'd take that old traffic noise over the constant gardening and lawnmower noises around here.

I also find, if I make a block schedule I can follow it for a couple weeks. But yeah, I'm not one to ask about scheduling...

[NeuroFizz]

I'm chiming in mostly because I'm envious of all of you who CAN find some regular period in your schedule that you can devote to writing. I have a job I enjoy as much as I enjoy writing fiction (both great joys), but it is the type of job that comes home with me. I have to do a lot of writing for that job after the workday ends. Also, with two young children (five and two years), once I arrive home, it's Daddy time until at least 9:00 p.m. Nonetheless, I've managed to find time to complete four novels in three-and-one-half years. From my experience, I'm going to suggest a different tack that will not be appropriate to all (maybe not appropriate to most). I think deadlines are great since I'm a "controlled procrastinator." I know just how long I can put things off to make a deadline. Once at that cut-off, I work extremely efficiently. BUT . . . in my fiction-writing experience, this only works well with editing/modifying drafts. For the first draft, I don't seek a regular schedule. For the creative part of getting the first draft done, I want the motivation, not the time block. If I have a time set aside, but I don't have that idea that spins my mind into hours of writing that passes in what seems like fifteen minutes, I'll probably put a bunch of uninspired crap on the paper. Some nights, I won't do anything with my current story. Other nights, I'll see the sun come up before I close the laptop. This is natural to me, but I have to pull a few tricks. I'm a daydreamer, and when I get a great idea without the time to get to the laptop, I jot down enough details to spin me back into the dream once I have time. Sometimes, I can't get it back. Some nights, I am too exhausted and I just fall asleep. With me, it's just not worth it to beat myself up about a schedule when it's hit-or-miss that I'll get something down to my satisfaction. Editing/modifying is another story. That's the hard work of writing, and I can do that on a schedule because I get excited about improving the story. So, what's the bottom line to this long (sorry) narrative? A schedule isn't for everyone. For some, it's better to rely on inspiration to drive the writing time. And I can't get inspired with a scented candle or a timer (no offense to anyone--I envy those of you who can).

Oh, yeah. As you may have surmised, I don't sleep much.

[mommie4a]

I think you've made a very honest, realistic post. Routine is a very subjective topic because it really depends on the individual's desires, abilities and needs.

Good luck to you - four novels in less than four years, plus having kids during those years. You're among friends and admirers.

[Inspired]

Great feedback guys. I tried to post yesterday, but between my daughter's glasses falling apart, a parent wanting to discuss her child's progress, impending softball game, and general busyness, I lost my window of opportunity to respond.

That's what happened with my writing, too. I didn't have time yesterday. Today, for sure. I will have time. I will make time.

I think I'm going to get a notecard and write down a specific routine and try like the dickens to stick to it for a week. If I can't, then I will change it. I like the timer, candle, and contest ideas for my personality. I need regular routine, but also love the competition and deadline motivation.

[Jamesaritchie]

I'm chiming in mostly because I'm envious of all of you who CAN find some regular period in your schedule that you can devote to writing.

I liked all your post, and had no idea where to snip, so I did the best I could.

I think what matters is simply Does It Work? If you can make writing work without a schedule, then you don't need a schedule. If you can't succeed without a schedule, then you have to move whatever amount of heaven and earth is necessary to make a schedule. But I will say finding time almost never works. You have make the time. You have to block off certain houes and declare that you will write during those hours no matter what and no matter who.

Now, I don't use a timer to inspire me. In all truth, I use it more to make me stop writing than to make me start. I don't start the timer and say, "I have to write for two hours now." I start the timer and say, "I've only got two hours before that blasted thing makes me stop writing."

The timer is more to stop burnout, and to decrease the pain in my hands and arms, than it is to inspire me to write. I firmly believe "inspiration" is one word writers need to remove from their vocabulary. I think "inspiration" stops more writing than it ever causes.


I like the idea of a schedule for two reasons. 1. I firmly believe that life is short, so as many hours as possible should be spent doing whatever it is you most enjoy doing. For me, that's writing. Most everything is a compromise, but if I could find any other way of spending my hours that I enjoyed more, and that would still earn me money, I'd be doing that instead of writing. Money aside, if I could find a hobby I enjoyed more, I'd be doing that. Do what you love, and love what you do. If you follow this, I don't think making time is ever much of an issue.

2. Many years ago, I saw a study that seemed to show conclusively that those who wrote a minimum or two hours each day, and a minimum of five days per week, stood a far greater chance of succeeding that those who didn't. These were bare minimums, and up to a point, more than two hours per day was better.

But it always has to come down to Does It Work? However you go about it, whatever methods you employ, are you getting closer to wherever it is you want to go? If you are, then that's what you should be doing, and how you should be doing it. If not, then changes are in order.

I am a firm believer in deadlines, though self-imposed deadlines are not enough for many. But if you really want to see a writer make time to write, just have a top agent or editor ask him for something by a certain date. When this happens, it's amazing how quickly that writer suddenly finds time to write.

[reph]

I liked all your post, and had no idea where to snip, so I did the best I could.
Thanks for snipping. If I need more context, I can always go back up and read what preceded a current post.

I think what matters is simply Does It Work? If you can make writing work without a schedule, then you don't need a schedule. If you can't succeed without a schedule, then you have to move whatever amount of heaven and earth is necessary to make a schedule.
Ah, then, it's the same as with grammar. If you write good English already, you don't need to worry about the technicalities of grammar. If your English is poor, you have to learn some grammar.

[mommie4a]

Check this out:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/08/arts/design/08kimm.html?

If the link doesn't work, go to www.nytimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com) and search on the author, Michael Kimmelman - the article is called Wake Up. Wash Face.

[Andreya]

Excellent thread!

I'm still struggling with routines & time management & such! :)

I wonder how people who posted here are doing now.. :)

Great idea about scheduling time for relaxing too, & great links!

[Blackest_Nite]

1.) have an incredible dream about my book
2.) get stupid amnesia, forget the dream, and have a nervous break down
3.) grab a mountain dew and head to the computer
4.) sit in front of a blank screen for hours, type, and leave looking like a caffeinated zombie

Now that's not every day, some times I actually get my work done without emotional trauma. But that's only on a really good day. Lol!

[Salis]

Am I the only person who has really trivial or stupid dreams? I mean, like, every single one. My nightmares are stuff like, "Oh, damn, I locked myself out of my apartment."

I wonder if this is one of those "and that's how you know you are a mild-mannered, white land-owning male" give-aways (disclaimer: I do not actually own land).

I think up all my horrifying, incredible and nasty things when awake.

[McFly1701]

I just recently got my motivation back to write. I couldn't figure out why, when I sat down and attempted to write, I couldn't come up with anything. But I just realized why.

It all goes back to a little habit I used to have. When I was a kid up to my early teens, if I was bored at home, I used to lay on my bed or a couch and toss a baseball up in the air. It required very little thinking, but I found myself thinking creatively every time I did it. That was before I really found my passion to be a writer. I stopped doing it and went on with my life. During my late teens/early twenties I worked at a movie theatre, which was often quite boring. When the movies were playing I had lots of down time. That is when I started getting a lot of writing done, because I had to do something to pass the time.

Now I have a full time job in a warehouse. My job requires a lot of walking and picking books off of shelves. This is a job that doesn't require a lot of thinking, but I'm constantly working. I make it through each day by thinking a lot. Most of my good ideas come from this and not by sitting down at my desk and trying. This posed a problem since I would come home and try to get these ideas on paper and nothing would come out.

So very recently I picked up the old habit of tossing a baseball up in the air. Whenever I'm stuck now this is what I do. It sounds stupid, but it's working. I've done more writing in the past week than I've done in a long time. My creative juices just start flowing when I'm doing a physical job that requires no thinking. And that has become my routine.

[DMarie84]

Am I the only person who has really trivial or stupid dreams? I mean, like, every single one. My nightmares are stuff like, "Oh, damn, I locked myself out of my apartment."

I wonder if this is one of those "and that's how you know you are a mild-mannered, white land-owning male" give-aways (disclaimer: I do not actually own land).

I think up all my horrifying, incredible and nasty things when awake.

You are not the only person with trivial dreams. None of mine ever make any sort of sense. Actually, I'm lucky if I can remember them for more than five minutes after I wake up.

And I don't have any writing routine...I should, but it comes in spurts :tongue Not good, but I'm trying to motivate myself and stop procrastinating. Not easy!