My Writing Routine - Well, Theoretical Routine, Anyway
Although it looks good on paper, never underestimate the power of chaos.
I’ve been asked a few times about my writing routine, especially when it comes to creating the sheer volume of content I can pump out regularly. Writing more than 750,000 words per year is no easy feat when you have an overflowing plate in front of you.
Of course, this includes blog posts, books, video scripts, and making sure my client's work is finished for the day. I would love to spend all my time writing books, but alas, the mortgage still needs to be paid. And right now, I am a far cry from being a New York Times Best Selling Author.
So, what kind of routine do I have that keeps me productive throughout the week?
2-Hour Blocks of Time
First, I have a 2-hour block of time set aside in my day specifically for writing books throughout my “work day.” The reason I make them part of my daily work routine is that I want to make sure I spend at least two hours working on my books no matter what. Then, I’ll try to squeeze in more writing time in the afternoons or the weekends.
I often have these blocks created in Asana about a week in advance and after my client work is done. As I am a freelance writer, my clients have to come first if I want to keep paying my mortgage. On a side note, the free version of Asana has been a game-changer for me since 2017.
Within that two-hour block of time, I can write anywhere from 1800 to 3000 words depending on the scene. Of course, this also depends on whether I have that time open. Sometimes, a client’s project will cut into that block of time and I wind up getting less to myself. Until my books generate enough to replace that income, I need to follow the money as my top priority. Having a sustainable household is an absolute.
Weekly Word Count Goals
I try my best to stick with the 2-hour block of time, but it doesn’t always happen. When things interfere with my daily wants, I try to aim for a weekly word count for the books. Currently, this is set to 8,000 words - which is something I know I can handle. So, if my words for the day are below 1142, I’ll try to make that up either in the evenings or on the weekends…provided my house isn’t full of people.
I often set a lot of my goals against word counts. From blogging to books, my yearly goals keep me focused on various projects. I love writing but often get sidetracked with life and bits of chaos here and there. For me, the weekly word count goals are kind of like a game and I’m constantly striving to break the high score.
Unfortunately, a lot of what I do nowadays, including for my clients, doesn’t center around me actually writing a piece of content. I do a lot of research, editing, and planning for a writing team. I get to write a few posts here and there, but my role is management and delegation for the most part. Then, I work on YouTube videos, which don’t really rack up the word count outside of writing the script.
Adapting to Chaos - Ish
One of the most active elements of my writing routine involves adapting to various forms of chaos. Whether it’s Comcast dropping the Internet connection (which happens a lot) or my daughter smashing the new car in south Denver (she’s fine), it feels like I’m under a never-ending barrage of mayhem, for the most part.
Now, I’ll admit, a lot of this chaos is self-imposed. No one is forcing me to try managing two additional YouTube channels and a podcast on top of everything else. But the sheer volume of things I deal with on a daily basis is north of asinine.
I’m slowly sifting through the debris to get things organized. It’s just a slow process when you’re involved in as many side projects as I am. I just wish that even a fraction of them paid anything more than $100 per month. All in due time, I suppose.
Regular Walks with Music
Regular walks are perhaps the most important part of my writing routine. I tend to do my best thinking while walking around the backyard or when on a treadmill at the gym. Usually, I’ll consider parts of my books and scenes that I want to write. Sometimes, I’ll troubleshoot website problems or debate certain points of blog content. Regardless of the reason, walking is one of the cornerstones of my success.
In reality, there is a correlation between brain power and physical activity.
On a good day, sans the chaos, I’ll write for about 90 to 120 minutes and then take a walking break. I’ll keep a steady, fast-paced walk for about 15 to 20 minutes while thinking about what to write next. Oftentimes, I’ll listen to a song that I feel fits my book well and visualize what the story would look like as a music video or a movie trailer. It’s odd, I know. But I’ve written some of my best scenes because I thought it would look epic in a movie trailer.
Not Everything Goes According to Plan
At the end of the day, not everything I put into action pans out well. Life has a way of tossing roadblocks, speed bumps, baby carriages, cats, and everything else in front of you on the path. The trick is to avoid those obstacles as best you can while still trying to keep yourself moving forward.
Sure, those things will slow you down. However, you’re still carrying forward momentum, and that’s what really matters.
Perhaps one day I can spend half my day blogging and the other half writing books. But until that happens, I need to do what I can to keep the bills paid. And sometimes that means postponing a blog post or delaying the release of my next book.
That’s how life goes, sometimes.