A Writer’s Day

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“Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts.” —Larry L. King, Writer’s Digest

One of the questions I’m sometimes asked in interviews or when I do book talks is: “What is your writing day like?” People have a curiosity about the process of writing, especially if they have ever considered writing something themselves. I like to hear how other people do their writing too, although I often think they may have it down better than I do.

People like knowing if I write everything out longhand. I don’t now, but I did when I was ten and just beginning to think I could write a story. I graduated from that inkpen and wirebound notebook to a manual typewriter. Then to an electric typewriter and finally to a word processor. I’m not ready to turn in my keyboard, but I sometimes miss that paper copy. However, some writers still go with the pen and paper. Some might even still go with a typewriter. There is something romantic about thinking of writers writing those ways.

But back to the question about my writing day. That day for me varies. I know that I would get more books written in a year if I wrote new words every single day. I know writers who do that. But I tend to stick with one writing project from initial idea, through the research and thinking up plot and characters, the actual writing, editing and more editing. Then once I send what I’ve written off to my editor to await her remarks and editing suggestions, I take some time off to read or catch up on all the things I did not do while I was trying to finish my story before my deadline.

I generally need a couple of weeks extra on that deadline even when I am determined to not have to ask for that extra time. During deadline crush time, I work a lot of hours. I do the necessary chores. My husband gets fed. I walk the dogs. If the family wants to visit, I say come on out. Got to see family. I write my blogs and post a little on social media. My brain needs the break of something easier to write now and then.

Then when I have a new book releasing the same time as the deadline for my work in progress, things get even busier. I do online interviews and blog posts, but not as many as I used to be asked to do. Nowadays, it is all about podcasts. I love podcasts. I can talk about books for a half hour a lot easier than I can write a post, except for you all here. I can write posts for you easy as pie, because you all are the best and don’t mind my this or that posts. (If you do mind, you can tell me which posts you like best and I’ll try to remember that. No promises, though.)

So here’s an example of a working day when I’m deep into actually coming up with words for a story. I get up at sunrise because that’s when my dogs insist it’s time for the day to start. I take them for a morning walk and enjoy the first sunrays of the day and usually get my legs soaking wet from walking in the dew damp grass. Back at the house, I feed the dogs and then post something on FB. I have a routine of certain types of posts on most days, like my Wednesday Shaker facts, Mailbag Tuesday, Friday Smiles and Sunday Morning Coming Down. Plus I like sharing the photos I take on my walks with the dogs.

After breakfast with my husband, writing work begins although I will sometimes peek at email and Facebook. Writing goes on until Frankie tells me it’s midday and that means it’s time for another walk. Dogs can be good motivators, especially a pushy – my husband would say spoiled – dog like Frankie. Back at the house, it’s grab a snack and back to writing. Dinner means another break for cooking and eating. Sometimes then it’s more writing on the work in progress or other writing to try to encourage readers to give my new book, The Song of Sourwood Mountain, or whichever book a try. When I’m not on deadline rush, I save time for some reading at night.

Working into that schedule are chores one simply can’t put off like laundry, grocery shopping, doing my volunteer church duties, and having  fun doing the podcasts where I get to talk books. The first one I did talking about The Song of Sourwood Mountain, is now live. You can listen to it here.  The Song of Sourwood releases in 6 days!

That’s probably  more than you ever wanted to know about this writer’s day, but if you read all the way to the end, thank you.

“Making people believe the unbelievable is no trick; it’s work. … Belief and reader absorption come in the details: An overturned tricycle in the gutter of an abandoned neighborhood can stand for everything.” —Stephen King, Writer’s Digest

I love this last writing quote and I thank all of you for reading my stories. I often say a book is sort of circle. The writer writes the words that come to life in her head and then those words come to life in your head when you read them.

“All readers come to fiction as willing accomplices to your lies. Such is the basic goodwill contract made the moment we pick up a work of fiction.” —Steve Almond, Writer’s Digest

Have you ever wondered about a writer’s day? Like to listen to podcasts?