Quitting is Not an Option

Why a Routine is Important

by Pat White

Working from home can be, in a word, challenging. Between the dogs barking at the dust balls floating across the floor, the cats sending faxes to China, the teenagers inviting the neighborhood kids in for Hot Pockets and Doritos, things aren’t exactly quiet at my house.

Which is why a regular routine is essential.

When developing a routine, start by doing a personal inventory of your writing habits. Are you most productive first thing in the morning, late at night, or during the afternoon? I’m referring to the first draft writing aspect of the process because for me, revising can be done anytime.

I’ve resigned myself to the fact that, for me, writing in the morning is about effective as skating on quicksand. It just ain’t happening. Keep track of when you get the most pages written, the time of day you’re really in the zone, and see if there’s a pattern. Capitalize on your physiology’s natural routine; don’t fight it. Yes, that means if you’re most productive between three and seven in the afternoon the kids are going to have to make their own dinner.

Once you’ve figured out when you get your best work done, carve out that piece of your day, every day, to write.

Let’s say you’re a morning writer (I envy you). Set your alarm and get up and write your pages for whatever hours you’ve designated. Have lunch about the same time every day, take your afternoon walk at the same time, etc. Developing a routine stimulates the habit of writing.

What can you do to respect your natural routine? I’ll suggest paying attention to the food you eat. Honestly, I’ve noticed I need a nap shortly after ingesting simple carbs (sugars, white flour, etc). Do certain foods affect you in different ways? I find that protein, veggies and fruits are brain food for me.

Also, pay attention to what triggers your muse. A few things that come to mind: listening to music, taking a daily walk, reading poetry and…vacuuming (I’m not kidding.) Somehow the mindless motion of sucking up tumbleweeds of dog and cat hair seems to stimulate my brain. (Sorry, I’m not coming to your house). Don’t dismiss mindless activity. Think of it as a tool to detach your creative mind from the ever-present critic that lives just beneath the surface, the one that intimidates you into NOT writing your pages.

In my opinion, a routine helps train your brain to tell your body what’s next on the agenda.

Every day at exactly 6:30 p.m., my golden retriever sits in the middle of the kitchen, waiting for his arthritis pill. It’s his routine. Wouldn’t it be great if at 9 a.m., every day, your brain automatically clicked into writing mode and words spilled out onto the page? It’s possible. You just have to create a routine in sync with your body’s natural physiology.

Good luck!

Pat White struggles to stick to her daily routine and usually wins, especially when she’s on deadline. She writes romantic suspense for Harlequin and romantic comedy for Dorchester. She has two fall releases: SILENT MEMORIES (September, Harlequin Intrigue) and LOVE ON THE ROPES (October, Love Spell). Check her out at www.patwhitebooks.com.

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